New regulation on carbon footprint reporting in Spain

On April 12, 2025, Royal Decree 214/2025 of March 18 was published, creating the new Registry and establishing the obligation for companies to calculate their carbon footprint and prepare and publish greenhouse gas emissions reduction plans. 

Key aspects

• Royal Decree 214/2025 emphasizes the role of large companies and certain public authorities in the energy transition. These organizations are subject to new obligations to calculate their carbon footprint and establish an emissions reduction plan.
• For these companies, registering in Spain's registry of carbon footprint, offsetting, and CO₂ absorption projects will be voluntary. However, publishing information on their carbon footprint and reduction commitments will be mandatory.
• The Registry’s basic system remains the same, but new types of CO₂ absorption projects (e.g., blue carbon) are included, and registration of the carbon footprint of events is regulated.
• Better coordination with regional registries is established, and the Spanish Office for Climate Change is expected to draft and update supporting documents.
• The calculation of carbon footprints can be used as environmental criteria for public procurement.