Climate Scorecard’s 2024 Government Climate Leadership Award is presented to a country official who has done the most to reduce emissions in their country’s government over the past year. Below is a copy of the letter sent to each nominee and why they were chosen to receive this award.
Spain 2024 Climate Scorecard Award:
Valvanera Maria Ulargui Aparicio
General Manager of the Spanish Office for Climate Change
Dear Ms. Ulargi,
With great pleasure and admiration, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to you on receiving a prestigious “Climate Scorecard 2024 Government Award.” The award is for your outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Spain over the past nine years as Director of the Spanish Office for Climate Change.
Climate Scorecard is a nine-year-old non-profit international NGO that aims to report on and advocate for efforts to reduce emissions in leading greenhouse gas-emitting countries. Please feel free to visit our website, where you will find the section on Spain (https://www.climatescorecard.org/spain/).
Your tireless efforts, innovative strategies, and unwavering commitment to sustainability during all these years have set a remarkable example and yielded tangible results in combating climate change. Your vision and leadership in implementing policies and initiatives to curb emissions have not gone unnoticed. They serve as a beacon of inspiration for others to follow suit, driving positive change within our society and beyond.
Furthermore, an even more ambitious approach for Spain should be considered, aiming for a 65% reduction in emissions by 2030 and a carbon neutrality target by 2040. To reach these goals, Spain should triple its renewable energy capacity to ensure environmental preservation and benefits for local communities, double energy efficiency by 2030, and implement comprehensive policies prioritizing the average citizen’s needs. It would be great to see those figures included in the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (INECP) update, due for 2025.
As you receive this recognition, please know that your efforts have significantly impacted the collective fight against climate change. Your accomplishments, especially those in COP28, serve as a testament to the power of individual action and the transformative impact it can have in Spain and our world.
May this award inspire you toward a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
Once again, congratulations on this remarkable achievement.
With sincere admiration and warmest regards,
Juan J. de los Santos Ron Israel
Spain Country Manager Climate Scorecard Co-Founder