Corporate climate action continues to gain traction in Spain. This is reflected in the fourth edition of the Climate Yearbook 2026, prepared by the UN Global Compact Spain and ECODES, which analyses the evolution of corporate climate commitments and their alignment with international decarbonisation goals.
Among the main findings of the report, the increase in companies with scientifically validated climate targets stands out. Of the 244 Spanish companies adhering to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), 186 already have approved emission reduction targets, which represents 76% of the total and marks an increase of nearly six percentage points compared to the previous year.
According to the yearbook, this evolution reflects a growing integration of climate action into business strategy. More and more organisations are moving from adherence to voluntary initiatives towards the adoption of targets evaluated against independent scientific criteria, reinforcing the credibility and transparency of their decarbonisation plans.
Additionally, 53 Spanish companies already have approved net zero and long-term targets, 15% more than in 2025. These organisations represent 22% of the total Spanish companies participating in the initiative, a proportion slightly higher than the global average.
“The results show a positive evolution of corporate climate action in Spain. More and more companies are incorporating climate targets backed by scientific criteria, a crucial step towards advancing towards more competitive, resilient business models prepared for the challenges of the ecological transition,” says Cristina Sánchez, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Spain.
Spain among the 15 countries with the highest participation in SBTi
Spanish participation in SBTi continues to grow in Spain with 5% more than in 2025, ranking fourteenth worldwide. By sector, industry accounts for the largest number of participating companies, followed by consumer goods and materials, three sectors facing significant decarbonisation challenges in their production processes and supply chains.
Participation is also expanding among small and medium-sized enterprises. Spanish SMEs adhering to SBTi through its simplified procedure have increased by around 15% compared to 2025. This mechanism facilitates smaller organisations in setting science-based climate targets through requirements tailored to their characteristics.
The challenge: turning climate targets into results
The Climate Yearbook 2026 emphasises that progress in defining targets must be accompanied by concrete measures for their implementation. In this regard, the report highlights the need to promote transition plans that incorporate investments, monitoring mechanisms, and adaptation tools that allow for responses to the physical and economic impacts of climate change.
The publication concludes that decarbonisation and resilience are consolidating as strategic elements for business competitiveness. Organisations capable of integrating both approaches will be better prepared to navigate an economic and regulatory environment increasingly shaped by the transition to a low-carbon economy.
