What does the new Royal Decree on Carbon Footprint mean for your company?

Concern about climate change has led to the implementation of various national and international initiatives focused on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

In March 2025, the Spanish Government approved an amendment to Royal Decree 163/2014, extending the scope of the carbon footprint registry with the aim of reducing polluting emissions and combating climate change.

This modification is aligned with Law 7/2021 on Climate Change and Energy Transition, which seeks to integrate emission calculation methods and energy efficiency measures in business processes.

Expanding the carbon footprint registry: more impact

The recent amendment extends the scope of Royal Decree 163/2014 to include the carbon footprints of events and new typologies of absorption projects, introducing improvements in its operation and reinforcing coordination with equivalent autonomic registries.

These reforms seek to reduce bureaucracy and increase efficiency in carbon footprint management, making it easier for organizations to meet their sustainability obligations.

New features of the Royal Decree on the carbon footprint registry

Among the main reforms introduced by the Royal Decree, the following stand out:

• Mandatory for certain entities, such as ministries, autonomous agencies, managing entities and common services of the Social Security (among others). The obligation to calculate the carbon footprint and prepare emission reduction plans is established for this group of entities.
• Expansion of the registry. New absorption project typologies and event carbon footprints are included, improving the registry’s functionality and facilitating the participation of more organizations.
• Coordination with regional registries. Coordination with the equivalent registries of the autonomous communities is strengthened, allowing for a more integrated and efficient management.

Benefits of complying with the carbon footprint registry

Beyond being a legal obligation, complying with carbon footprint registration offers several advantages for organizations:

• Improved transparency and trust. Demonstrates a real commitment to sustainability, strengthening reputation and building trust among investors, customers and other stakeholders.
• Access to tax incentives and benefits. Many administrations offer subsidies or tax benefits to companies that implement emission reduction measures. In Spain, for example, there are tax deductions in corporate income tax for environmental investments, as well as specific subsidies through the IDAE (Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving) and funds from the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
• Greater competitiveness in the market. Sustainable companies have more opportunities in international markets and in contracts with public administrations that value environmental criteria. Examples of this are the requirements in green public procurement (CPV) established by Law 9/2017 on Public Sector Contracts, which include environmental clauses as award criteria.
• Operational efficiency and cost savings. The optimization of energy consumption and the reduction of emissions are often accompanied by a reduction in operating costs.

Geospatial data as a key tool in carbon footprint management

At Agforest, we use geospatial data and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to monitor the concentration of pollutant gases in various environments.

By integrating this data into emission reduction plans, organizations can identify specific sources of pollution, evaluate the effectiveness of implemented climate measures and actions, and adjust their strategies to maximize their impact.

At Agforest, we are committed to R&D&I applied to sustainability, offering innovative solutions that combine satellite data processing with artificial intelligence and data science to help organizations achieve the new European ESG standards, CSRD compliance, EUDR or the Green Taxonomy.