The coronavirus, although it seems contradictory, has brought good news at an environmental level. Already in March, in the middle of the first wave, it could be sensed that due to mobility restrictions and home confinement, global pollution levels would be reduced, now the Observatorio de la Sostenibilidad (OS) has just published a report in which this good news is certified.
Specifically, in the report Evolución de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero en España (1990-2020), the Observatorio de la Sostenibilidad advances the data of C02 emissions in Spain during the past year, and that represent a record decrease of 17,9% compared to the previous year. Thus, it went from 314.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent in 2019 to 258 million tons of C02 equivalent in 2020. Besides, emissions decreased by 11% compared to 1990 and 42% compared to 2005.
Towards a green and decarbonised economy
The tragedy of the 2020 pandemic has had important repercussions on the entire economy, consumption, and production, but, above all, on mobility, land and air transport (almost closed) or the tourism sector, and for this reason, the fuel consumption has been affected, as it can be seen in imports of petroleum products.
Also, trends that started in previous years have continued to be observed, such as the virtual disappearance of coal, representing only the 2% of the electricity production, and its exchange for gas. On the other hand, record productions have been observed in renewable energies (and in particular wind and photovoltaic), which is why maximum energy production without CO2 emissions was reached.
Evolución de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero en España (1990-2020). Source: Observatorio de la Sostenibilidad
These data make it possible to increase the ambition of the reduction objectives of the new Climate Change and Energy Transition Law to achieve a decarbonized, more sustainable, and more competitive economy, and that must take advantage of the magnificent opportunity offered by the Next Generation funds of the European Union, to drive a green and low-carbon economic recovery.
Despite this good data, it is not advisable to lower the guard. We must jointly move towards decarbonisation that is structural and not temporary caused by the pandemic. The tragedy of the 2020 pandemic has had important repercussions on the entire economy, consumption and production, but, above all, on mobility, land and air transport (almost closed) or the tourism sector, and for this reason the fuel consumption has been affected, as it can be seen in imports of petroleum products.
In addition, trends that started in previous years have continued to be observed, such as the virtual disappearance of coal, representing only the 2% of the electricity production, and its exchange for gas. On the other hand, record productions have been observed in renewable energies (and in particular wind and photovoltaic), which is why maximum energy production without CO2 emissions was reached.
These data make it possible to increase the ambition of the reduction objectives of the new Climate Change and Energy Transition Law to achieve a decarbonised, more sustainable and more competitive economy, and that must take advantage of the magnificent opportunity offered by the Next Generation funds of the European Union, to drive a green and low-carbon economic recovery.
Despite these good data, it is not advisable to lower the guard. We must jointly move towards a decarbonization that is structural and not temporary caused by the pandemic.
From Flopp, a company committed to the environment, we want to recall some actions that we can take at a particular level to contribute to the reduction of C02:
- Transport: Get around on foot or by bicycle (as far as possible), use public transport and/or share a private vehicle.
- Water: Do not abuse hot water, try to shower instead of bathing and turn off the tap while you are not using the water (when soaping your hair, brushing your teeth, etc.).
- Heating: Remember that the temperature sufficient to be comfortable indoors is between 19ºC and 21ºC. In summer use the air conditioning only when necessary.
- Organic food: Buy local and seasonal products to avoid unnecessary CO2 emissions due to transport and favor foods with a “bio” label (less pesticides and chemicals).
- The rule of the 3 R’s: Reduce your consumption of goods and energy consumption, Reuse by giving a second life to a product, and throw away each waste in its container to be able to generate new products through recycling.
- Appliances: Use appliances that have an energy rating of A + or higher. Did you know that the washing machine’s cold wash program reduces energy consumption by 80%?
- Eliminate plastic containers: Use reusable bags to go to the supermarket and buy products in bulk instead of packaged ones.
- Green companies: Bet on the products and services of those companies that are sustainable. For example, there are more and more electrical companies that offer sustainable energy from renewable sources, companies that sell sustainable clothing, ecological cosmetic products, ecological cleaning products, etc.
Flopp works daily to offer a range of ecological, vegan, 100% plastic-free household cleaning products, in water-soluble capsules and with biodegradable, compostable and even reusable containers.
By choosing products in capsules, such as Flopp, you help reduce your carbon footprint, since they are concentrated products and whose manufacture requires less consumption of water, raw materials and electricity compared to traditional products. In addition, they take up less space: in transport, on shelves and at home, which translates into fewer CO2 emissions. For example: a truck loaded with FLOPP product is equivalent to 3.5 trucks of the same product packed with the traditional system.
Flopp products are ecological, guaranteeing the least possible impact on the environment, being just as effective as traditional products. Likewise, they are formulated to be used in short cycles and at low temperatures, resulting in economic and energy savings for you and for the planet.
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