Sustainability in Spain just leveled up. On April 8th, the Spanish government published Royal Decree 214/2025, which comes into force on April 28th, and it completely reshapes the rules around corporate carbon footprint management.
If you're working in a company — large or small, public or private, or with decarbonization goals — this is not just another regulation. It’s a clear message from both the government and society: it’s no longer enough to say you’re doing things right — now, you have to prove it with data.
Royal Decree 214/2025 doesn’t simply update the previous framework (RD 163/2014). It’s a response to the growing demand for real climate transparency. More and more stakeholders — clients, investors, public bodies — are asking for more than vague commitments. They want clear calculations, concrete plans, and, if you're offsetting, a rigorous process based on recognized standards.
Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITERD) now makes it official: if you want to register your company’s carbon footprint, you’ll need to meet a series of requirements that go well beyond filling out a form. You have to measure, you have to reduce, and if you want to offset, you need to do it right.
Any organization looking to register must calculate, at a minimum, its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. That includes direct emissions from your operations and indirect emissions from energy use.
And no, a rough estimate won’t cut it. You need to prepare an annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory, using internationally recognized methodologies like the GHG Protocol or ISO 14064, and you must clearly define what parts of your company are being measured.
But it doesn't stop there. You're also required to present a reduction plan — a real one — with concrete actions and measurable outcomes. Because it’s not just about knowing your numbers, it’s about what you’re doing with them.
This is the big question we hear all the time. The decree doesn’t make Scope 3 reporting mandatory — these are those indirect emissions from suppliers, transport, business travel, product use, etc. — but it strongly recommends it.
Why? Because for many companies, this is where the majority of their climate impact lies. Ignoring it is like looking at a cracked mirror: you're only seeing part of the picture.
And here's the reality: public tenders, banks, investors, and even your clients are already asking for Scope 3. Including it shows maturity, transparency, and a serious commitment to climate responsibility. Plus, it unlocks access to green financing and better positioning in an increasingly demanding market.
Another common question: do you need to verify your data externally? In general, no — unless you fall under certain conditions.
You must verify externally if:
And no, not just anyone can verify your data — the certifier must be officially accredited under standards like UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17029 and UNE-EN ISO 14065, or equivalent.
The decree draws a clear line.
It is mandatory for:
And what about SMEs?
They’re not automatically required to comply. However, if a small or medium-sized company wants to apply for certain public subsidies or programs, there’s a strong chance the application process will require them to calculate and present their carbon footprint. It’s not a legal obligation in itself — it depends on the terms of the funding.
Of course, any SME can choose to register voluntarily — to align with its group, meet client expectations, or gain a competitive edge.
Spain’s national carbon footprint registry is organized into three parts:
To get registered, you’ll need:
If you're compensating emissions, you’ll need to use officially approved absorption projects — either through the MITERD or equivalent mechanisms. And these projects need to meet strict criteria like permanence, additionality, and no leakage (they can’t just shift emissions elsewhere).
What matters most isn’t just staying compliant or avoiding penalties. What matters is that companies that take control of their carbon data now will gain a clear strategic advantage.
Think about it. If your data is already organized, verified, and aligned with international standards, you're ready to respond instantly to an audit, a financing request, or a supplier questionnaire. No stress. No yearly chaos. No missed opportunities.
And beyond compliance, having solid emissions data helps you make better business decisions. Because when you measure right, you improve faster. And when you improve, you lead.
We get it. This can feel complex and overwhelming. That’s why we’ve built a solution that makes the entire process clear, guided, and fully integrated — no more juggling spreadsheets, chasing suppliers, or wondering if you’re “doing it right.”
With Dcycle, you can:
Our platform and our expert team are here to help you stay compliant, communicate with transparency, and use your sustainability strategy as a true business lever.
Let’s talk. We’ll show you how to get ahead of this — and turn it into an opportunity. Because what you don’t measure, you can’t improve. And what you don’t improve… you can’t compete with.
.png){kind=small}
Carbon footprint calculation analyzes all emissions generated throughout a product’s life cycle, including raw material extraction, production, transportation, usage, and disposal.
The most recognized methodologies are:
Digital tools like Dcycle simplify the process, providing accurate and actionable insights.
Some strategies require initial investment, but long-term benefits outweigh costs.
Investing in carbon reduction is not just an environmental action, it’s a smart business strategy.
