The Basque Country is one of the eighteen leadings states and regions in terms of climate ambition that have set themselves the goal of zero emissions by 2050, as indicated in the global report on climate action plans of states and regions, published by The Climate Group.

The Climate Group is a movement that drives climate change based on public-private collaboration. The Basque Country has formed part of it since 2010. This non-profit entity was set up in 2004 with the aim of driving policies and technologies that help reduce CO2 emissions. The organisation brings together 80 of the leading companies worldwide and regional and local governments.

Coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement (COP21), The Climate Group has analysed the data of 121 states and regions that have disclosed their climate and environmental data in 2020. In addition to the 18 states and regions that have set net-zero emissions, 21 states and regions have established long-term targets to reduce their emissions by between 75% and 90%. The report indicates that 55% of the regions with a 2030 emissions reduction target are showing greater ambition than their national counterparts.

90% of the states and regions reporting a 2030 target have one in line with the IPCC’s goal to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 40-50% with respect to 2010 levels.

A third of the member states and regions of The Climate Group report an increase in the number of clean technology businesses

The report, which analyses the climate action plans of states and regions worldwide, indicates that 47% of electricity generated by the reporting states and regions comes from renewable sources and coal use for electricity generation amounts to an average of 12%, compared to a global average of 38%.

Alongside their achievements, governments that form part of The Climate Group have expressed concerns about worsening impacts of climate change and other environmental threats. They are experiencing a combined total of 781 impacts of climate change, with consequences for public health, infrastructure and finance, and they report a further 243 impacts on water security. Of the 121 participating states and regions, 39 specifically report climate change-related public health risks within their boundaries and, overall, 60% of regions are taking action to adapt.

The report urges governments to actively address deforestation and forest degradation. Although 91% of states and regions consider the local impacts of deforestation and forest degradation to be serious or extremely serious, only 46% have established policies and only 18% have set region-wide targets to address the problem.