Climate change in Spain

Climate change has caused temperatures in the world to rise in the last few decades, and temperatures in Europe have risen twice as fast as the average change in the rest of the world. In Spain, which already has a hot and dry climate, extreme events such as heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent. The country is also experiencing more episodes of drought and increased severity of these episodes. Water resources will be severely affected in various climate change scenarios. Also, the mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa), as well as other temperate climates in the country, is becoming less and less common, being replaced by the semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk/BSh) and even the expansion of desert regions. Some forecasts indicate that the semi-arid climate will be the most common in Spain by 2050.

To mitigate the effects of climate change, Spain is promoting an energy transition to renewable energies, such as solar and wind energy. In 2021, to support this process, the government approved a law on climate change and energy transition.

Spanish society as a whole is one of the most climate change conscious societies in the EU. Due to the effects of global warming, Spanish society is demanding stronger measures.