SPAIN STILL NOT ON TARGET WITH GREEN POLICIES

Edition: 525

For the second year running, the European Commission has slapped Spain's wrist for not implementing EU environmental regulations. In its annual review of "green" policies last week, the EC found that Spain came second to Italy, listing 40 separate environmental infractions committed last year. In its report, the EC said most of the cases involved "water and Nature". It said Spain was one of seven EU countries that do not expect to meet the Kyoto Protocol's objective of a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions, "even if it implements all the measures planned". However, the Commission noted that the Spanish government had introduced the necessary legal changes needed to oblige all development projects to reduce their impact on the environment and had made it easier for interested individuals and groups to resort to the law to stop projects that damage the environment. It also said Spain was a pioneer as regards solar energy and made a special reference to the construction of Almeria's Solar Platform, a new solar plant that will be the first of its kind in Europe. It also highlighted the fact that Spain is the second largest producer of wind energy in the world. Between 2000 and 2004, the Commission noted that Spain's consumption of electricity produced by renewable energies fluctuated between 15.7% and 21.7%, above the European average. As regards what it called "eco-innovation", the EC report said the Spanish government had invested three million euros in a programme to finance environmental research projects, and development and innovation projects aimed at "preventing contamination at a local level and to improve sustainability in urban and rural areas". It also reported the approval of funds for four new projects in the LIFE programme, aimed at protecting and conserving nature and biodiversity. It said this raised the number of national initiatives to 47. On the other hand, it said the illegal, uncontrolled dumping of waste was still a widespread problem in Spain. The EC urged the Spanish government to adopt all the EU's preventive measures and to invest in more ecological recycling methods. It also criticised the government for still not having introduced the so-called "green" tax it had announced at the end of 2005. The report ended with a dire warning about the risks of drought like the one experienced last year in Spain and the problems it would cause for agriculture and tourism.