The Basque Green Deal (BGD) sets the targets for reducing emissions and generating renewable energy, yet it is not restricted to those areas, as it seeks to be an economic model with industry and technology as the main levers. Thus, science, technology, the circular economy, industry, energy transition and the food chain itself are aligned with a single goal: just and sustainable development.

This competitive model for the future is going to require a new regulatory context and the Basque Government is already working on a new Energy Transition and Climate Change Act in line with the European directive and indicators. The legislation is seen as the tool to progress towards the emission reduction and renewable energy targets and will be inspired by the principle of technological neutrality.

The work lines, in keeping with the main principles of the European Green Deal, are as follows:

• Commitment to renewable energies:
  • Ekiola, setting up photovoltaic power cooperatives
  • Renewable Energy Sectoral Spatial Plan
  • New windfarms
  • Gauzatu Energy Programme to fund clean energy investments in the municipalities of the Basque Country
    
    
• Sustainable industry:
  • Basque Circular Hub
  • Basque Ecodesign Center
  • Tool to reduce the carbon footprint
    
    
• Sustainable mobility
  • Basque Hydrogen Strategy
  • Energy Intelligence Center
  • Gigafactoria Basquevolt
  • Mubil, electromobility centre
  • Renove Scrappage Plan
    
    
• Protecting biodiversity and cutting pollution:
  • Natural Heritage Act
  • Improving water, soil and air indicators
  • 100% sanitation system connected by 2030
    
    
• “Farm to Fork” food:
  • Programmes to support economic farming and KM0 locally sourced food
  • Anti-food waste initiative
  • Supporting coastal and rural development
  • Generational handover in the primary sector

Interinstitutional cooperation, along with the support of private stakeholders, will be fundamental for the successful outcome of all these initiatives; and multiple events have therefore been arranged for the coming months. These will be institutional and business opportunities to reaffirm the commitment of each of the agents involved:

• Covenant of Mayors, 19 May
• Renewal of the Udalsarea 2030, Basque Network of Municipalities for Sustainability, commitment
• Basque Ecodesign Center and methodology to reduce environmental footprint
• Development of energy programmes such as Ekiola, Ekian or Ekienea

Different training, awareness-raising and dissemination actions will be organised:

• Bioterra Fair, Ficoba
• European Green Week activities
• Organising and support for over 20 activities at the University of the Basque Country’s Summer School

All these initiatives will be important milestones on the journey that will take the Basque Country to the CoP Glasgow at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference.