Emissions down in Spain out of the economic crisis

Emissions of greenhouse gases in Spain have fallen in the past two years on the sidelines of the economic crisis. It is known that the decline in industrial activity occurred in recent months also was associated with a decrease in emissions of CO2 and other gases into the atmosphere. However, the Minister of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, Elena Espinosa, said during the presentation of the "Environmental Profile of Spain 2009", that emissions have fallen regardless of whether the crisis.

According to the Ministry of Environment, the environmental profile of Spain is "satisfactory whole." And the reduction of greenhouse gases or CO2 emissions by 7.5% in 2008 compared to 2007 and 8.2% in 2009 compared to 2008.

At the launch, Environment Minister said that Spain "expect" to meet the commitment of the Kyoto Protocol, which limited its growth in emissions of greenhouse gases by 2012 in 15% of 1990 levels. After this date must reduce these emissions by 20% until 2020.

Espinosa stressed that the present edition, the sixth, includes two new chapters, one devoted to Coastal and Marine, and another, the Green Economy and stressed that in 2008 increased green jobs, particularly those related to renewable energy.
Lights and shadows of environmental profile

The Environmental Profile addresses the environment from two perspectives, the situation of the natural environment in its different areas (air, water and biodiversity, among others) and human activities that take place in the natural environment, represented by various productive sectors (industry, fisheries, energy, tourism).

According to the report, water consumption continues to decline in homes since 2007 and reserves of water stored in the year 2009 increased 23%, which has led to a decrease in the production of desalinated water.

Also continues to decline municipal waste generation per capita waste going to landfill, with slight increase of incineration and an improved collection, although we are still above the European average.
Diffuse sectors

One of the areas of greatest concern to the ministry, are called diffuse pollutants in cities, mainly due to transport.
In 2008, irrigated agriculture continues to increase its efficiency in water use, increasing the surface using drip irrigation systems by 28% in the last five years. It has also been a significant increase in the area devoted to organic farming, increasing the latter that the Minister has described as "encouraging."

According to the profile, stabilizes the forest area, close to 28 million hectares of land remains rural tourism activities and visits to National Parks and fell by 8% overall aquaculture production, dragged by lower mussel production.

In the transport sector in 2008 has produced the greatest reduction in energy consumption (3.1%) since 1990. Regarding the energy consumption of each household, the year 2008 presented a decrease of 5% compared with 2007, and was more pronounced decrease in thermal applications in the electrical.