Across Spain, businesses, municipalities, healthcare institutions, and the hospitality sector are integrating climate action into their operations. From large companies and SMEs tracking emissions to hospitals decarbonizing healthcare systems and restaurants improving energy efficiency, non-State actors (NSAs) are shaping Spain’s transition to a low-carbon future.

While barriers remain – ranging from access to finance to sector-specific challenges – businesses, cities, and healthcare institutions are finding ways to drive measurable progress. Race to Zero has provided a framework for companies and institutions to set science-based targets, track emissions, and implement practical solutions.

Comunidad #PorElClima, a Race to Zero Accelerator, has supported these efforts by connecting organizations with the right tools, technical guidance, and funding mechanisms. In 2024, more than 60 Spanish organizations joined Race to Zero, and businesses, cities, and hospitals collectively offset 37,798.78 tonnes of CO₂, demonstrating that voluntary climate action is taking hold across sectors.

Businesses 

From multinationals to small enterprises, Spanish businesses are translating net zero goals into concrete actions. Through Comunidad #PorElClima’s initiative, 10+10 Business Examples’, 10 large companies and 10 SMEs were recognized for projects that reduce emissions through innovation, clean energy, and circular practices.

• At GSK’s production centre in Aranda de Duero, a €4 million investment in a 37,000 m² solar farm is generating over 5,700 MWh of renewable electricity each year – covering 30% of the site’s energy needs and cutting nearly 1,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

• Water innovation company, Nieblagua uses atmospheric water collectors to harvest water from the air without energy use or waste, reducing dependency on conventional water supplies.

• Cleantech company, AEInnova is helping industry move away from disposable batteries by developing sensors that power themselves using waste heat from machines.

• In the food sector, Capsa Food has created a system to recover and reuse detergents and water in cleaning processes, reducing both waste and resource consumption. 

• Circular economy company, Insertega is turning textile waste from households, businesses, and the fashion industry into new materials for use in furniture, coatings, and upholstery.

These examples were made possible through expanded resources on empresasporelclima.es, including tools to help SMEs access finance and plan their net zero transitions through the Pacto Pymes initiative. More than 300 Spanish and Latin American companies have also exchanged best practices on Scope 3 emissions, supply chain decarbonization, and financing strategies. Meanwhile, carbon footprint tracking tools are helping smaller businesses align with Race to Zero targets.

Hospitals & healthcare facilities 

The healthcare sector is actively reducing its environmental impact, with:

• 450 hospitals, covering 33% of Spain’s healthcare facilities, now tracking emissions and identifying reduction pathways.

• An industry-first Scope 3 emissions report, with over 500 downloads and 1,000 stakeholder engagements, driving further sectoral action.

• Decarbonization pilots in Madrid hospitals, with real-world case studies on reducing emissions from healthcare facilities.

• Sector-wide collaboration, with the Spanish Congress of Deputies and procurement leaders working to integrate environmental criteria into public health contracts.

Cities 

Local governments are aligning municipal climate policies with Spain’s National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, with new digital tools enabling tailored support for regional implementation.

#PorElClimacompiled a document of good practices of Spanish municipalities, classifying them by topics (mitigation, transport, energy, agriculture, waste and land use) and their cost and timeframe. From a total of 50 actions. Highlights include:

• Zaragoza’s solar neighbourhood: The first of its kind in Spain, with 240 solar panels generating 100% renewable, locally shared energy for 200 homes and businesses – including 20 vulnerable households.

• EPZ planning tool: Developed by the Spanish Cities for Climate Network to help local authorities identify and manage emissions priority zones.

• SAGULPA’s commuting plan in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Offers staff shared bike passes, lunch break travel reductions, and discounted parking to optimise work-related travel.

• Last-mile delivery measures in Madrid and Barcelona: Madrid is piloting an app to monitor loading zones and cut congestion, while Barcelona has introduced a new tax on e-commerce deliveries to better regulate public space use.

Hospitality 

The restaurant and hotel industry is adopting efficiency measures at scale:

• 13,600 hospitality businesses have reported over 215,000 climate actions, ranging from renewable energy adoption to food waste reduction.

• 177 climate vouchers have been implemented since 2023, helping restaurants and hotels upgrade inefficient equipment – cutting both costs and emissions.
  Among the first 34 establishments to use the voucher and complete tracking, emissions were reduced by an average of 25%.

• 64% of the 53 establishments currently participating in the pilot phase have reduced their carbon footprint.

• More than 400 hospitality businesses have tracked their carbon footprint to date, feeding data into an emerging industry-wide emissions observatory.

• BBVA and sector leaders have expanded financing options, enabling targeted investment in energy efficiency upgrades.

Impacts in 2024

• 9.7% direct emissions reduction and 13.5% decrease in emissions intensity per employee.

• 60+ new organizations joined Race to Zero, including SMEs, cities, and hospitals.

• 37,798.78 tonnes of CO₂ offset through voluntary climate action.

What’s next?

In 2025, businesses, cities, and healthcare providers are taking climate action further:

• Five SMEs will receive tailored support to join Race to Zero, in collaboration with Ibercaja and SMECH.

• Hospitals will expand emissions tracking with enhanced carbon footprint calculators that integrate actionable decarbonization strategies.

• Pharmacies will be supported in tracking and reducing emissions, marking a new expansion of healthcare decarbonization efforts.

• 20,000 hospitality businesses are expected to scale climate action efforts, with a stronger push for energy efficiency finance.

• A new Observatory for Climate Action in Healthcare will be launched, following the success of the hospitality sector’s model.

• A climate policy chatbot will make global climate agreements and COP-related commitments more accessible and actionable.

Businesses, hospitals, and municipalities across Spain are driving climate solutions, not because of mandates, but because they recognize the value – both economic and environmental – of reducing emissions at scale. Race to Zero provides a global framework, but it is Spain’s organizations that are turning ambition into action.

Organizations looking to join Spain’s climate movement can access tools, financial support, and tailored guidance through Race to Zero and Comunidad #PorElClima.

Visit porelclima.es to learn more.

Discover the Race to Zero.