Spain’s ESG Push: From Decree to Emergency Plan – and Why CO₂ Calculation Is Now Critical

Introduction

Spain has taken bold steps in 2025 to strengthen its sustainability framework. Through new regulations and an emergency plan, the government is placing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues firmly at the center of corporate responsibility. The measures form part of Spain’s alignment with the EU’s broader sustainability agenda, including the CSRD, EU Taxonomy, and Fit-for-55 package.

For companies, this shift translates into higher expectations on ESG transparency, with a particular focus on CO₂ calculations and reduction strategies.

Spain’s Regulatory Developments

The Spanish approach builds on:

• Royal Decree 214/2025: Expands ESG reporting requirements, aligning Spanish disclosure practices more closely with EU directives.
• Emergency Climate Plan: Introduces accelerated measures to reduce emissions and increase resilience in key sectors, such as energy, transport, and agriculture.

Together, these measures mean companies operating in Spain must not only disclose sustainability metrics but also demonstrate concrete decarbonisation efforts.

Why CO₂ Calculations Are at the Core

Carbon accounting is emerging as the foundation of ESG reporting and risk management:

• Regulatory compliance: CSRD and Spain’s decree require precise Scope 1–3 emissions data.
• Investor trust: Capital providers increasingly rely on CO₂ data to evaluate climate transition risks.
• Market pressure: Spanish and international OEMs demand emissions data from suppliers to align with their own net-zero strategies.
• Strategic decision-making: Without reliable CO₂ calculations, companies cannot set meaningful targets or evaluate the effectiveness of reduction measures.

How EQS Supports Companies

The EQS Sustainability Cockpit offers a CO₂ module that helps companies address these challenges:

• Comprehensive CO₂ calculation: Covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, with automated matching of uploaded documents to emission factors through AI.
• Data quality and efficiency: Automated workflows reduce manual effort and improve accuracy.
• Integration with ESG reporting: CO₂ results feed directly into CSRD, EU Taxonomy, and other regulatory reports.
• Strategic tools: Companies can connect CO₂ data with target-setting, reduction measures, and progress tracking, ensuring compliance and strategic alignment.

With these capabilities, companies in Spain – and across Europe – can transform regulatory obligations into opportunities for greater transparency, competitiveness, and resilience.

Conclusion

Spain’s latest ESG initiatives mark a decisive shift: from reporting requirements to actionable decarbonisation plans. For companies, reliable CO₂ calculation is no longer optional; it is the basis for compliance, market credibility, and long-term success.

EQS provides the tools to make this possible — helping companies not only comply with Spain’s new ESG rules but also build the foundation for a robust climate strategy.

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