Spain battles climate change on several fronts

Spain battles climate change on several fronts

A summer of wildfires and heatwaves underlines the threats to the country's economy.

Farmers Juan Ángel Izquierdo says it is hard not to worry about wildfires in a small green meadow in the Gredos mountains, west of Madrid.

Wildfires have consumed more than two-thirds of Izquierdo's land and killed 12 of his 85 cows. Another eight animals had to be put down because of their injuries.

Spain's economy is expected to suffer from the devastating impact of wildfires and droughts due to climate change, with estimated losses exceeding €10 billion in 2024 alone.

The country has been battling heatwaves and wildfires for several years, with recent events such as the 2025 record-breaking fires in Spain and Portugal being attributed to global warming.

According to World Weather Attribution, the extreme conditions that drove these fires were 40 times more likely due to climate change than natural causes.

The impact of climate change on agriculture is also a concern, with droughts and heatwaves affecting crop yields and livestock production. For example, in 2024, heavy rainfall led to a major drought in the north-eastern region of Catalonia, causing significant economic losses for industry and agriculture.

Climate change is also having an impact on tourism, with some destinations experiencing record-breaking heatwaves that deter tourists. However, others are seeing increased demand as people seek out cooler areas during the summer months.