Issue Deep Dive

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Last updated: December 20, 2022

ODA Spending


ODA In Context


Spain is increasingly prioritizing climate change in its development cooperation policies and programs but Spain’s focus on climate change-related projects as a proportion of bilateral allocable ODA (10%) remains lower than the DAC average of 23%.




Under Spain’s upcoming Foreign Action Strategy (2021-2024), addressing the negative effects of climate change is highlighted as a key element of Spain’s development cooperation with partner countries. Spain has reiterated its commitment to this issue many times: In February 2020, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation highlighted climate change and sustainable development as one of the key foreign policy priorities within her strategic priorities for her current term. In June 2020, climate was again highlighted as one of the key features of Spain's renewed development policy, which was restructured as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.



ODA Breakdown


Bilateral Spending

In the ‘Master Plan for Spanish Cooperation 2018-2021,’ climate action is listed as a strategic objective within which Spain aims to support middle- and low-income partner countries in:

  1. Reducing CO2 emissions,
  2. Promoting the use of renewable energies,
  3. Protecting biodiversity and fostering sustainable fishery, and
  4. Facilitating efficient waste management. Other development sectors within the Master Plan (such as rural development and water and sanitation) also include climate change as a component, primarily focusing on climate mitigation and adaptation measures. Climate-related financing is provided through the ODA budget and funding sources from the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

Spain’s climate-related ODA overwhelmingly focuses on adaptation measures.



Multilateral Spending and Commitments

Spain is a strong supporter of climate-related multilateralism. It is involved in the:

  • Ibero-American Network of Climate Change Offices ( RIOCC): Spain pursues technical cooperation in the climate sector with partner countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through RIOCC and the ‘ ARAUCLIMA Programme.’ In accordance with the priorities identified by the RIOCC member countries, most technical cooperation measures and activities focus on adaptation measures.
  • Central American Integration System ( SICA): Spain supports SICA in implementing policies that foster sustainable human development and reduce poverty. Through this forum, Spain supports cross-cutting programs affected by climate change including projects in climate resilience and adaptation efforts.


Funding and Policy Outlook

Spain will focus more strongly on climate security and conflict resolution: In December 2021, MAEC hosted a workshop on ‘Climate, Peace and Security: Enacting Principles for Environmental Peacebuilding’ and launched a European task force on climate security and conflict resolution.


Key Bodies



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Sheba George

sgeorge@seekdevelopment.org

Sheba George

sgeorge@seekdevelopment.org

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