MITECO

The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) plays a fundamental role in the fight against climate change in Spain.

One of its main functions is to regulate and oversee the calculation and registration of organizations’ carbon footprints, a key indicator for measuring the environmental impact of their activities.

What is MITECO?

MITECO is a ministry of the Government of Spain responsible for developing government policies related to climate change mitigation, pollution prevention, and sustainable development. Established in 2018, MITECO integrates responsibilities in environmental protection, energy, and climate change.

MITECO’s role in carbon footprint measurement

MITECO has established a regulatory framework for measuring and registering carbon footprints for organizations in Spain. This framework is based on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, an internationally recognized emissions accounting tool.

MITECO has developed an online platform called the Carbon Footprint, Compensation, and CO₂ Absorption Projects Registry, where organizations can register and calculate their carbon footprints. The platform provides tools and resources to facilitate the emissions calculation and verification process.

Organizational obligations

Depending on their size and sector, some organizations are required to calculate and register their carbon footprint in MITECO’s registry. These obligations are set out in Law 1/2014, of November 19, on Transparency, Access to Public Information, and Good Governance.

Organizations required to calculate their carbon footprint must follow a series of steps, including:

1. Defining the measurement scope.
2. Collecting activity data.
3. Calculating greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Verifying results through an accredited entity.
5. Registering their carbon footprint in MITECO’s registry.

Benefits of calculating the carbon footprint

Calculating and registering a carbon footprint, even when not mandatory, offers numerous benefits for organizations, including:

• Regulatory compliance: Ensures adherence to legal obligations related to climate change.
• Enhanced corporate image: Demonstrates the organization’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.
• Access to new business opportunities: More customers and consumers prefer low-carbon products and services.
• Cost reduction: Identifies opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce resource consumption, leading to economic savings.
• Innovation: Drives innovation in more sustainable products, processes, and business models.

The future of carbon footprint measurement

Carbon footprint measurement is expected to become increasingly important in the coming years. Growing concerns about climate change and regulatory pressures are pushing organizations to take action to reduce their environmental impact.

MITECO continues to develop new tools and resources to facilitate carbon footprint calculation and registration, as well as promoting the decarbonization of the Spanish economy.