The Paris Agreement belongs to all of us
Population: 2.17 million (2013)
GDP: 66.1 billion (2013)
Country: Spain
GHG emissions (year): 19,3 MMt (2013)
GHG emissions/capita/year: 8.8
The Basque Country is a region in northern Spain with the highest GDP per capita in Spain; 33.5% higher than Spain's average in 2013. Key economic sectors include energy, aeronautics and machinery.
Sustainability is a global and interrelated issue that surpasses specific territories and so should be managed from the appropriate political commitments adapted to each territorial area. Because of this, Basque Government articulated its own sustainable development strategy which aligns with core international strategies and commitments - largely within the Europe 2020 Strategy. This way, the Basque Country advances in the same direction as the European Union; towards smart, sustainable, and integrating growth.
The “Environmental Program of the Basque Country 2020” sets out this commitment of the Basque Government to the environment. This program thus becomes a cross-cutting aspect in the Euskadi 2020 strategy overall and it thus has assumed the mission to contribute to wellbeing, job creation and developing an embracing and low carbon economy.
The Basque Country has made great progress in the environmental area in recent years, thanks to the endeavors of the general public, companies, civil society and the authorities. The joint effort has positioned our country as a benchmark on the International Environmental Performance Index.
The Environmental Framework Program of the Basque Country to 2020 complies with the task entrusted of being the roadmap to a new stage setting the course and coordinating the actions in the environmental field for the coming years.
Climate change is an excellent example of this. The transition towards a low-carbon economy and by means of a change in our production and consumption processes requires a great deal of time. However, the environmental problems and the uncertainty regarding their impact must not be an excuse to delay the political measures to be adopted. The current generation is responsible for the wellbeing of future generations and, therefore, a coherent view of the future is essential.
