Speech by President of the Government at "One Planet" Climate Summit

Paris

I would like to thank President Macron who called us here, as we were back in the year 2015 and then, twice more, once in Morocco and once in Bonn.

I just want to make three comments so as not to take up too much of your time: first, about the Paris Agreement; second, about Spain's commitments; and third, about the need to make an orderly energy transition.

First, the Paris Agreement represented a very important milestone in the international fight against climate change and, for the first time, we have a legally binding agreement that a significant part of international society has committed to.

Second, regarding Spain. Spain is committed to the fight against climate change and I want to make two points about this: we have taken on demanding commitments in relation to reducing emissions and we are working to guarantee compliance with them. Spain will meet its demanding commitments from here to 2020 and we are working on drafting a Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition that will guarantee compliance with the 2030 commitments.

I should also add that we have contributed, between the year 2012 and 2016, almost 2 billion euros to public climate financing in developing countries. And our commitment, as I announced at the Paris Summit, is to increase our contribution to 900 million euros per annum as from 2020. In fact, between 2015 and 2016 we contributed an additional 27%.

My third comment refers to energy transition. In order to meet all the commitments we are taking on here requires preparing an energy transition process towards a low carbon economy. We are working on this and on the new Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition, that I just mentioned, and all at little cost for consumers.

The transition in Spain is based on two pillars: first, energy efficiency. Increased efficiency reduces energy consumption, generates economic activity, is positive for competitiveness abroad and reduces external energy dependence. And secondly, the leading role of renewable energies. Spain already has 41% in terms of electricity and it will complete its renewable target within its energy total by the year 2020. Just this year we have held two auctions that will allow for 8,000 megawatts of new renewable power without the need for incentives.

I would like to end by stating one thing; the incorporation of renewable energies goes hand-in-hand with having integrated markets and hence with increased interconnections. We have made commitments to our European partners but we must also work especially hard over the coming years to put this into practice because, if not, it will be very difficult to meet our commitments.

Thank you very much.

Non official translation