Navarra is set to reduce its CO ₂ emissions by 45% in the Climate Change Law

The Government of Navarre has launched the mechanism to illuminate the Climate Change Law. The Regional Executive, in its weekly session on Wednesdays, approved the preliminary draft of the norm, a cutting-edge and ambitious plan of integral action on the areas that will be affected by the effects of climate change. That is, all of them. The law, with an extensive articulation, foresees from changes in the economic and energy model to alternatives in agriculture and livestock, new solutions for housing and urbanism, affections on the proportion of educational and health services and even a new management of leisure, with specific measures for tourism. The law has a transversal conception and “will compromise Navarrese society as a whole”, as explained by the Minister of the Environment, Itziar Gómez, after the Government session.

Once the preliminary draft has been approved, which is the first phase of the process, the law now passes to the Council of Navarre. The highest legal body of advisory character will review it and issue an opinion, which will surely be favorable. The department has worked with great care on the law and has given itself all the time it has needed to offer a powerful, plural articulation, with additions of everyone who has wanted to make them. Trade unions, environmental associations, parliamentary groups, employers, local entities, the primary sector have participated… a rosary of actors who had things to say. That is why it is foreseeable that, when the law enters Parliament, it will enjoy broad political support.

The law has six chapters and a section of provisions that seeks a goal: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to their risks to people and the environment.

45% DECREASE BY 2030 On the legal frameworks already existing at European level, Navarra aims to reduce the level of net emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases by at least 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050 compared to 2005. In addition, it aims for 50% of the energy consumed in the Autonomous Community to be renewable in 2050 (starting from 23.2% in 2018).

And, for that, the text provides for concrete measures. For example, the creation of a Climate Change Office in Navarre, to plan and coordinate sectoral policies related to energy; and the implementation of the Climate Fund: a budget item with an economic contribution that will be decided in the next Budgets, and that will serve to finance actions.

Actions among which will be concrete measures against energy poverty, proof of the social nature of the norm and to which several articles are dedicated. There are other areas: the law wants to promote renewables, with a review and action of what happens to wind energy. The text, which also talks about the treatment of thermal power plants, insists on the importance of decarbonizing electricity generation, both in the construction of homes or facilities and in outdoor lighting. And there is a special section for mobility, included in the plans of companies for the transport to work of their staff, apart from the fact that electric mobility and zero emissions will be promoted.

For everything to work, two measures are foreseen: measures for the calculation of the carbon footprint and specific measures to reduce them, and a sanctioning code. There is a specific chapter on inspection, monitoring and sanctioning regime.

SIXTY ARTICLES

And five titles. The preliminary draft consists of sixty articles in five titles, and separately a series of additional, transitional, derogatory provisions and two final provisions.

Transversal character. The law affects all areas. Especially: areas such as agriculture, livestock, water resources, energy, housing, urban planning, mobility, health, tourism, industrial sectors, infrastructure, forest management or civil protection.

Environmental education. The standard underlines the importance of environmental education and the promotion of research and innovation, as a knowledge transfer and research effort will be necessary to deepen climate knowledge and systems responses.

New energy model. It is considered a key point to achieve the objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Measures to promote renewable energies are established, identifying investments of regional interest, the obligations of energy distributors, the framework for action of wind energy, the decarbonization of electricity generation, the use of renewable energies and energy efficiency in buildings and outdoor lighting.

Adaptation to climate change. They will aim to minimize the foreseeable risks associated with the effects of climate change on the natural, rural and urban environments of Navarre and the effects on people’s health, biodiversity, forest systems, agricultural and livestock production, infrastructures and economic activity in general derived from these risks.

Sustainable management. The law starts from the fact that the Administration has to be exemplary. The Government acquires commitments in terms of building, mobility, public procurement, energy efficiency and renewable energies, which represent a tractor effect for the care of the climate by Navarrese society.

THE SANCTIONING CODE

Inspection and monitoring. The sanctioning code regulates the measures that guarantee the correct application of this regional law and its principles. The provisions contain additional provisions on the evaluation of the development of this law.

Light penalties. Between 600 and 15,000 euros, will be filed by the Government of Navarra in the case of not complying with the obligation to present the carbon footprint certificate or for not turning off the ornamental, advertising and commercial lights.

Serious penalties. Between 15,000 and 100,000 euros, in cases of falsification of emissions or obstruction of inspection.

Very serious penalties. Between 100,000 and one million. Only for those who double the emission of greenhouse gases.

Source: Navarra News