Spain is very vulnerable to the effects of climate change. According to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO), the country currently faces 141 climate risks that affect sectors as diverse as health, the economy or biodiversity.
This is stated in the report Assessment of Risks and Impacts of Climate Change in Spain (ERICC-2025), presented a few weeks ago by the Spanish Office of Climate Change (OECC).
Of them, 51 are considered key risks due to their severity or imminence, and 17 have low reversibility, which means that they could generate irreversible losses if urgent adaptation measures are not taken, says MITECO.
In the opinion of the Vice President of the Government and Minister for the Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, “the most extreme scenarios are already materializing”, with longer heat waves, severe droughts, torrential rains and an accelerated expansion of arid climates.
The report prepared between 2023 and 2025 by a consortium made up of IH Cantabria, Tecnalia and the Basque Center for Climate Change (BC3), analyzes 14 strategic sectors: health, water, biodiversity, forests, agriculture, coasts, energy, cities, tourism, industry, transport, cultural heritage, financial system and social cohesion.
The document, of a scientific and technical nature, marks the line to follow in planning adaptation to climate change and will constitute the basis of the second Work Program of the National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change (PNACC) 2026-2030.
Irreversible risks and network effects
Among the 17 low reversibility risks identified, the loss of biodiversity, the degradation of ecosystems and soils, the salinization of coastal aquifers, the loss of land surface due to erosion and rise in sea level, as well as the destruction of natural and cultural heritage stand out.
The ERICC highlights that many of these impacts directly affect the livelihoods, security and well-being of the population, with special impact on rural, coastal and vulnerable communities. In addition, the report identifies more than 1,700 interrelationships between risks, demonstrating that the effects of climate change act in a network and can be amplified if they are not addressed in a coordinated and multisectoral manner.
Temperatures, sea level and fires
In the worst climate scenarios, the average temperature in Spain could increase between 2º and 3ºC towards the middle of the century, and up to 5º or 6ºC by the end of the century, which would drastically reduce the capacity for adaptation.
Currently, arid climates already occupy more than 20% of the national territory, and their expansion threatens water resources, agricultural soils and biodiversity.
Finally, the study predicts that sea level will rise between 50 and 60 centimeters by the year 2100, seriously affecting coastal areas and putting infrastructure, ecosystems and urban centers at risk. Likewise, the study also warns that the danger of forest fires could increase by up to 30% in the Mediterranean basin, with longer seasons and episodes of greater intensity.
Adaptation and mitigation strategies
In recent years, Spanish energy companies have been adopting measures to help mitigate the effects of climate change mainly by transitioning towards renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. In addition, they are implementing energy efficiency measures to optimize consumption and decarbonize their processes.
In the specific case of the energy company Naturgy, in recent years it has been focusing on increasing its production of renewable energy, promoting electric and gas mobility and improving energy efficiency in its networks. It is also reducing emissions, for example, by improving gas networks, promoting renewable hydrogen and biomethane, and implementing technologies for carbon capture.
In fact, with data referring to 2024, Naturgy has reduced direct greenhouse gas emissions by 44% and CO2 intensity in electricity generation by 40% and more than 40% of its installed power comes from renewable sources. Likewise, it has reduced its total carbon footprint by 27%.