Early Spanish General Election Halts Green Legislative Agenda

• Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s snap election call has effectively cut the legislative term by ten months, leaving numerous climate and environmental initiatives in limbo.
• Pending legislation, draft bills, and planned government strategies now depend on the priorities of the next administration and Parliament.

Key Stalled Initiatives

• Climate and Environment: The state pact against climate change, the reform of the greenhouse gas emissions trading law, the flood risk management royal decree, and the revision of the Air Quality Law.
• Waste and Circular Economy: The reform of the Waste and Contaminated Soils Act, the upcoming royal decree on packaging, and the new regulations for batteries.
• Energy: The 2025-2030 Electricity Network Planning, a royal decree regulating high-consumption data centers, and initiatives for heat and cold networks and biomethane promotion.
• Rights and Consumer Policy: The Sustainable Consumption Draft Bill, the Great Apes Law, regulations for companion animals, and the domestic application of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Notable Progress and Exceptions

• Fast-track approvals: Royal decrees regarding energy communities and self-consumption are expected to pass before the November 29 election via emergency procedures.
• Deposit and Return System (SDDR): After a year of bureaucratic blockage by the Community of Madrid, the waste management committee has successfully re-requested information from candidates, keeping the 2027 implementation target alive.
• Political Context: Legislation stalled by the dissolution now awaits post-election review, with future outcomes contingent on the composition of the new government.