The year 2023 witnessed the most pronounced global warming on record to date, with greenhouse gas emissions being the main cause.
Despite this global trend, Catalonia has stood out positively by registering a 5.5% decrease in emissions during that year, according to the Provisional Estimate of CO2 Emissions of the Public Emissions Monitor of Catalonia.
The territory emitted 39.7 million tons of CO2, representing a 1.7% reduction compared to 2021. This change in direction is particularly significant after two years of increased emissions, evidencing a local effort to counteract the environmental impact.
The decrease is largely attributable to a reduction in fossil fuel consumption, with a 9% decrease in natural gas and a 2% decrease in fuels used in road transport.
Although the report does not elaborate on the underlying causes of this decline, it is speculated that several factors may have contributed to this encouraging result.
These include improvements in industrial efficiency, more responsible practices in residential energy consumption, changes in mobility patterns, technological advances, greater use of renewable energies and an increase in the practice of self-consumption.
Greenhouse gas reduction and other environmental challenges
Despite this encouraging decline, Catalonia continues to face significant challenges in relation to internationally agreed environmental commitments.
Rising global temperatures have reignited the discussion about the limits set in the 2015 Paris Agreement, which set guidelines for climate security and set limits on greenhouse gas emissions.
In this context, scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have warned that emissions should not exceed 24.8 million tons of CO2e, a target that calls for annual reductions of more than 6% from 2024. Catalonia, unfortunately, already exceeds these established limits.
The Generalitat has assessed that, to align with the ambition of the European Union’s ‘Fit to 55’ package, emissions in 2030 should not exceed 28.2 million tons of CO2e, representing a 29% reduction compared to 2023 emissions.
This challenge underscores the need for a more rigorous approach and sustainable actions to meet international environmental commitments.
Remaining challenges and future actions
The decline in emissions in Catalonia is a positive sign of progress, but it also highlights the continued need for bolder measures and a transition to more sustainable practices in all sectors.
Improving industrial efficiency, promoting responsible energy consumption in households, investing in clean and renewable technologies, and encouraging self-consumption are key areas that can contribute to a more positive environmental impact.
