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Spain increases dependence on fossil fuels in the midst of climate crisis
Spain used more polluting fuels in 2021 despite abundant access to renewable energies
With so much focus across the globe on climate change and on reducing our carbon footprint, the European Union remains woefully dependent on polluting fossil fuels, which accounted for 70% of the gross energy available in 2021. And while this figure has decreased dramatically in the last three decades, it hasn’t moved at all in the past couple of years.
Even more surprising is Spain’s position in the race: despite a push for Low Emission Zones in cities and more eco-friendly practices in general, not only has Spain not reduced its dependence on fossil fuels, but it increased by 1% in 2021. A disappointing result considering the nation’s abundant access to renewable energies like wind power.
In 2021, Malta was the EU country with the highest proportion of fossil fuels in available gross energy (96%), followed by Cyprus and the Netherlands (89%) and Ireland and Poland (88%).
Only five countries slightly reduced their dependence on fossil fuels (Finland, Belgium, Lithuania, Portugal and Denmark).
On the other end of the scale, Spain came in at number five on the list of nations that increased fossil fuel availability the most, rising to 72%.
Although these figures appear to paint a rather grim picture, it’s worth remembering that all EU member states have made great strides in reducing their use of fossil fuels over the past decade. The largest decrease was recorded in Denmark, which dropped from 81% to 57% between 2010 and 2021, followed by Estonia and Finland.
Bringing up the rear are Germany, which only dropped from 81% to 79% in the past 10 years, Romania (from 75% to 72%), Malta (from 100% to 96%), Hungary (from 73% to 69%) and France (from 52% to 48%).
Image: Archive
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