In the recently released year 2023, the Climate Change Law requires that all municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants develop plans to implement the so-called Low Emission Zones (ZBE), which will prevent access of numerous cars to the urban centers of the affected localities. . This is, in more than 150 Spanish municipalities.
According to Sumauto, in Spain about 11.5 million cars circulate through these towns and, of these, the measure will affect, at least, almost four million vehicles, which are those that do not have the DGT logo. And it is that this badge, which categorizes vehicles according to their degree of contamination, will be the one that sets the standard for which vehicles can access these areas and which ones cannot.
But beyond the restrictions on access to those considered the most polluting vehicles, the Climate Change Law hides a B side, according to which local entities can introduce complementary measures within the building sector, measures for the replacement of heating systems , efficient energy rehabilitation and promotion of air conditioning systems without emissions.
In addition, interventions in urban areas of an adaptive nature may be incorporated, such as those aimed at mitigating the heat island effect or the increase in urban green areas with adapted species, as explained by Sustainable construction.
Thus, the regulation establishes that local entities or Town Halls will ensure that they have instruments that make it easier for charging service operating companies to process and locate electric vehicle charging points, with public access inside and outside the LEZs, so that that a minimum recharging network be established in step with the growth of the electric vehicle fleet.
In addition to the Spanish regulations contemplated within the Climate Change Law, the European Council has agreed a series of strict regulations to ensure that all buildings are “zero emissions” by 2050. Buildings represent more than 30% of emissions of greenhouse gases of the European Union, for which reason “reducing them is essential to achieve climate neutrality in the coming years”. In this context, the European Council has reached an agreement (general approach) on a proposal for a revision of the Directive on the energy performance of buildings, part of the Fit for 55 package. The main objectives of the revision are that new buildings zero emissions by 2030 and all existing buildings become zero emission buildings by 2050.
More efficient heating for buildings
As regards the ZBEs that will be established in Spain this year, these areas may introduce complementary measures to encourage migration towards emission-free technologies within the building sector. Measures may be developed to replace heating systems with alternatives that emit less greenhouse gases and other pollutants. In addition, initiatives will be promoted for efficient energy rehabilitation and for the promotion of air conditioning systems without emissions.
The standard defines some concrete and quantifiable objectives in the field of low emission zones in cities, which can be conveniently monitored and evaluated. In addition, it establishes the minimum requirements that these areas must meet in key aspects such as extension, delimitation or access conditions, providing legal certainty to individuals and companies through homogeneous legislation throughout the national territory.
Thus, Royal Decree 1052/2022, of December 27, which regulates Low Emission Zones, establishes that LEZs must contribute to improving air quality and mitigate climate change, in addition to promoting compliance with the acoustic quality objectives, the promotion of modal change and the promotion of energy efficiency in the use of means of transport.
walking
The Government considers that active mobility should be prioritized through the design of networks of continuous itineraries of pedestrian preference, safe (activities on the ground floor, route visibility and lighting), accessible and comfortable for the population in general and for people with reduced mobility or disabilities and other vulnerable population groups, in particular. «These itineraries must connect the main residential, commercial, leisure and public service areas. On the other hand, the pedestrian priority route networks must connect the main nodes of the public transport network, in such a way that the itineraries are also useful for making the last miles of longer distance journeys on public transport”, he clarifies.
It is also contemplated reclamation of space for people and speed limitation, considering the speed of the vehicle as “a key element of road safety”. Thus, it is stated that driving at a lower speed reduces the number of accidents, increases reaction capacity and contributes to reducing noise with benefits for public health (quality of sleep, reduction of stress and anxiety, work capacity, etc. .).
WHO guidelines
The royal decree aims, as its ultimate goal, at complying with the updated version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines on air quality, published in 2021, which, based on available scientific knowledge, includes the levels air quality standards for the protection of public health.
With regard to climate change mitigation objectives, local entities must define measurable and quantifiable objectives for 2030 for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in LEZs, in a manner consistent with the objectives established in the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC)in particular, with the aim of reducing the use of private motorized vehicles compared to other modes of transport.
LEZ projects are expected to undergo a 30-day public information period, and the smonitoring system and follow-up, which will make it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures adopted, and the fulfillment of the objectives, in order to review the project within a period of three years from its establishment and, subsequently, every four years.