In an international context marked by the growing climate urgency, the environmental objectives set by national and international institutions have become the central axis of policies for the coming years.
The Naturgy Foundation and the Spanish Chapter of the Club of Rome have recently organized a new session of ‘Conversations between experts’ to analyze the evolution and compliance in Spain and in the world of environmental objectives.
The meeting, moderated by Manuel Planelles, editor specialized in climate change at the newspaper El País, featured the participation of prominent figures such as Óscar Barrero, partner responsible for Energy at PwC Spain and Luis Robles, partner at Liken Carbon Hub. María Eugenia Coronado, general director of the Naturgy Foundation, was in charge of opening the day, while José Manuel Morán, vice president of the Spanish Chapter of the Club of Rome, closed it.
A worrying balance
During his speech, Óscar Barrero did not hesitate to rate the global progress in the fight against climate change with a fail. “It is true that there is an effort, but the results have not lived up to the objectives set. The goal of limiting the increase in global temperature to 1.5 °C compared to the pre-industrial era has already been achieved, which shows that the commitments adopted have not been sufficient.” Furthermore, he stressed that, in the last five years, “global emissions have increased by 4%, when the trend should be downward. This data reflects the magnitude of the challenge and the need to multiply efforts to redirect the situation.”
Even so, Óscar Barrero stated that “within this unsatisfactory global balance, there are hopeful signs. Although in the political sphere certain setbacks are perceived in some countries, companies and civil society continue to move forward decisively. More and more economic and social actors are becoming aware of the effects of climate change, no longer as a future phenomenon, but as a present reality that conditions business, investment and consumer decisions.” Barrero has also emphasized the need to take into account all technologies for decarbonization, since not everything can or should go through electrification.
Barrero has referred to the annual Conference of the Parties (COP30), pointing out that “the fact that it is held in Brazil gives it a special character. We will have to see how it is possible to move from promises to action, especially in issues such as committed financing for developing countries or the promotion of a just transition that protects communities and biodiversity.” In this context, he highlighted that Spain, despite having a reduced weight in global emissions, must assume a leadership role. “We are one of the territories most exposed to the effects of climate change, but also one of the best prepared to promote solutions, thanks to our resources, knowledge and industrial capabilities,” he noted.
The challenge of adaptation and innovation
Luis Robles, for his part, also valued the celebration of COP30 and highlighted the positive evolution of the discussions within the United Nations, focused on climate financing and strengthening capacities in developing countries. “There are more and more policies and measures in place that make it impossible to turn back,” he said, focusing on sectors such as transport, industry or agriculture, where Spain still has important challenges ahead. Robles stressed the need to advance in thermal energy and enhance natural absorptions, and not limit ourselves to the decarbonization of electricity generation.
In the opinion of Robles, and in the same line as Barrero, “The COP can mark a turning point. The challenge is to move from commitments to implementation, betting on inclusion and innovation as axes of change. Financing will be key to moving forward, as will cooperation between powers such as China, India or the United States, whose role will be decisive in the global balance of emissions. In the case of Spain, progress is evident, since emissions have been reduced below the levels of 1993, demonstrating that it is possible to grow economically while reducing emissions. Now the objective is to maintain this downward path until reaching, in 2030, the 32% reduction established by the PNIEC,” he concluded.
During the inauguration, María Eugenia Coronado highlighted the importance of addressing the real degree of compliance with decarbonization objectives both in Spain and globally. The most recent reports from PwC and Liken Carbon Hub warn that “the current pace is insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement.”
Coronado warned about the fact that in 2024 the global average temperature for the first time exceeded the threshold of 1.5 °C compared to the pre-industrial era, a fact that underlines the urgency of intensifying climate action. “Europe, despite leading environmental commitment, presents notable internal differences, with countries like Germany or the Nordics advancing with more determination than others like Spain or Italy, weighed down by sectors such as transport and industry.”
At the closing, José Manuel Morán emphasized that “we are experiencing a crisis much greater than that of climate change, a crisis of global governance that is testing the international system.” In an increasingly polarized world, reaching consensus is more difficult, but Morán maintained a certain optimism, “companies, cities and society are understanding that moving towards less pollution and clean energy is not only an obligation, but also an opportunity. Spain, despite its political tensions, has matured as a society and has the ability to lead the transition if it is committed to transforming the present,” he said.