The environmental sector is difficult to measure as the definitions and methodologies used by sources vary. The OECD, for example, includes renewable energies. Nonetheless, the sector in Spain is believed to be worth 11 billion euros and the Observatory of Sustainability in Spain (OSE) estimates it employs 420,000 people (excluding those who work in renewable energies), of whom 140,000 are employed in waste management and a further 58,000 in waste water treatment.

There are around 2000 companies operating in the environmental sector in Spain, most of which are small and medium-sized. However, there are a handful of powerful Spanish civil engineering companies that dominate the national market and have expanded internationally.

Why Spain?

• Because the Spanish government applies a tax deduction of 2% to Corporation Tax for those companies that have introduced measures to reduce emissions to air, soil or water.
• Because Spain has passed a pioneering regulation for energy efficiency.
• Because it is renowned for its water treatment expertise and is a world leader in desalination.
• Because the country must find waste treatment alternatives to its tradition of landfilling.
• Because it is the cradle of revolutionary R&D projects for emission reductions, river restoration and numerous other areas of environmental concern. In 2011, via its Life+ Programme, the EU awarded 85.8 million euros to 29 Spanish projects in a variety of fields such as nature conservation, climate change, environmental policy, clean technologies and environmental Information and communication.
  

Some of the opportunities are encompassed in the 2007-2015 National Waste Plan (for further information, please visit the Business Opportunities tab for this sector).

To find some of the total Grants & Incentives available for this sector, click here to access our online database and select "Environment" under "Project classification", one of our search parameters.