On December 9, the new Law 6/2022, of December 5th, of the Generalitat, on climate change and the ecological transition of the Valencian Community, was published in the DOGV.
This Law, as well as the climate emergency declaration approved by the Consell on September 6th, 2019, respond to the need to define a medium and long-term framework to guarantee an orderly transition towards a low-carbon, competitive, innovative economy. , efficient in the use of resources and resilient to climate changes.
One of the pillars of said regulation is based on the mitigation of the impact that we cause on the environment, with special attention to the emission of greenhouse gases derived from the economic and habitual activity of individuals, administrations and companies.
To this end, the Law provides mechanisms to encourage and control the application of emission reduction and mitigation measures, of which we highlight in this article the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions generated, also known as the equivalent carbon footprint. For this purpose, the Generalitat creates the Valencian Registry of Climate Change Initiatives (RVICC), with the aim of publicly recording the commitments assumed by organizations, entities and companies of the Valencian Community, in relation to the adoption of these measures. The RVICC has four sections:
a) Calculation and reduction of the carbon footprint, to register the annual carbon footprint of the organization and report on the reduction of emissions.
b) Carbon dioxide absorption projects, to register projects that accredit the absorption of carbon dioxide through a change in land use or a change in management.
c) Carbon footprint compensation, to register carbon footprint compensation actions through absorptions carried out by organizations registered in the carbon dioxide absorption projects section.
d) Climate change adaptation actions, to register the climate risk analysis and report on the actions developed in terms of adaptation to climate change.
If we focus on section a) Calculation and reduction of the carbon footprint, registration in it will be mandatory for organizations that meet at least one of the following conditions:
1. Work centers affected by the European trading regulations for greenhouse gas emission rights.
2. Entities not affected by the European trading regulations for greenhouse gas emission rights that belong to any of the following categories:
Town halls of municipalities with more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Work centers in the industrial sector with an annual final energy consumption of more than 500 tons of oil equivalent, of the groups of activities mentioned in the law (more information in the consolidated document).
Private work centers in the CV with an annual final energy consumption greater than 40 tons, of the groups of activities mentioned in the law (more info. in consolidated document).
Private heavy transport companies for goods and passengers whose fleet exceeds 10 units.
Entities registered in section a) of the carbon footprint calculation and reduction registry must calculate and report annually their carbon footprint emissions, draw up and execute emission reduction plans and present them to the Department responsible for climate change and ecological transition and, in addition, comply with the registration obligations in the Valencian Registry of Climate Change Initiatives as established in this law.
At Offset Trail we think that, although it is an ambitious text, it is up to the joint effort that we must make as a society, to face the ravages of the climate, energy and environmental crises that are increasing day by day. For this reason, we must build bridges between all social agents and get involved in working together with the aim of carrying out an orderly and fair transition until the desired environmental balance is achieved.