City Background

The City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz actively promotes the protection of the environment by developing specific policies and programs in the fight against climate change.

In line with this principle, in February 2009 Vitoria-Gasteiz signed the “Covenant of Mayors”, committing the City to go beyond the European target of curbing their CO2 emissions by at least 20% by 2020, through enhanced energy efficiency and cleaner energy production and use. The commitment has to be translated into concrete measures and projects and signatory cities accept to reporting and being monitored on their implementation of their Action Plans.

In the case of the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, as first step, preparations are in place to achieve the challenging target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (calculated as carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2e) by 300.000 tonnes by 2012.

It also establishes targets for renewable energies, as solar energy. The Local Energy Plan 2007-2012 establishes the goal of achieving 25.000 m2 of solar thermal panels and 2MW of solar photovoltaic by 2012, as well as a 9% energy demand reduction improving energy efficieny.

Download the description of the state of the art of the Solar urban planning in Victoria-Gasteiz