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Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge

Information on the functions of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge and its public, related or dependent agencies.

Functions

The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge is the competent department, within the General Administration of the State, for the proposal and implementation of the Government ' s policy in the fight against climate change, prevention of pollution, protection of the natural heritage, biodiversity, forests, the sea, water and energy for the transition to a more ecological productive and social model, as well as the elaboration and development of the Government ' s policy against demographic challenge and territorial depopulation.

It is the responsibility of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, within the scope of the State’s competences, to draft State legislation on waters and coasts, climate change, protection of biodiversity, environment, mountains, meteorology and climatology; the direct management of the hydraulic public domain of the intercommunity basins, of the public domain of the sea-land; the representation of the State in the international bodies corresponding to these matters, without prejudice to the competences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation; as well as the coordination of actions, cooperation and concertation in the design and implementation of all the remaining public bodies.

Likewise, the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge is responsible for drafting State legislation on energy, developing national energy policy, together with measures to ensure energy supply, coordinating with the other ministries and monitoring policies in areas related to the fulfilment of energy policy objectives, and coordinating external projection in this area, ensuring proper regulation of the sector and the analysis and monitoring of energy markets, together with the competences of the General Administration of the State in the field of mining, all within the framework of the fair ecological transition.

In addition, the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge is responsible for developing and developing the Government ' s strategy and policy on the demographic challenge, as well as proposing and implementing the anti-depopulation policy.

The attribution of the above powers to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge is without prejudice to the provisions of the Statute of the State Meteorological Agency in relation to the administrative powers corresponding to the said Agency.

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  1. The development of energy and mining policy, in line with the objective of guaranteeing security of supply, public security, the economic and financial sustainability of electricity and gas systems, independence of supply, air quality, the fight against climate change and respect for the environment, optimal management and development of national resources, demand management, management of future technological choices, energy use, protection of people who consume energy and are vulnerable and the reduction of energy poverty, as well as any others that are directly related to the competences of the General Administration of the State in energy matters.
  2. The development of energy planning and strategy, within the framework of the commitment to long-term climate neutrality.
  3. The proposal of normative initiatives in the area of the competences of the State Secretariat, in coordination with the Technical General Secretariat of the Department.
  4. The elaboration of proposals on regulation and, where appropriate, approval of tariffs, prices of energy products, access fees to underground natural gas storage, charges for electricity and gas systems, as well as the remuneration of activities carried out within the framework of the energy sector, within the scope of its competences, in accordance with current legislation.
  5. The regulation, monitoring and analysis of energy and capacity auctions.
  6. The promotion of the replacement of fuels and energy vectors with lower emissions.
  7. The promotion of a fair transition in those areas that still maintain a high level of economic dependence on non-renewable fuels, such as those associated with the coal mining industry, and participation in working groups and other activities related to a fair transition, through the Institute for the Fair Transition, O.A.
  8. The development of measures for the protection of energy consumers, especially those in vulnerable situations, their access to energy information, and the reduction of energy poverty.
  9. Knowledge of the taking of shares in the electricity and hydrocarbons sector.
  10. The elaboration and, where appropriate, implementation of the measures aimed at ensuring energy supply, electric mobility, the promotion of system flexibility through demand management and storage, in a context of progressive decarbonization.
  11. Economic and financial analysis and monitoring of the energy and liquid hydrocarbon markets, as well as facilitating the participation in them of both centralized and distributed energy resources.
  12. The supervision of the liquid hydrocarbon market.
  13. The liquidation of the costs and revenues of the energy sectors.
  14. The exercise of the powers of control, inspection and sanction in energy matters, and the inspection of compliance with the technical conditions of the facilities and compliance with the requirements established in the authorizations, the economic conditions and actions of the subjects, when it is the competence of the General Administration of the State.
  15. The management of the certification system for the production, consumption and sale of renewable gases, biofuels and new fuels.
  16. The realization of projections of demand for energy products, the analysis of energy consumption series and prices by energy sectors and products, the monitoring of short-term and sectoral energy indicators and the realization of analysis of energy studies and statistics, in coordination with the Undersecretariat.
  17. The fulfilment, monitoring, notification and verification of the international commitments signed by the Kingdom of Spain in the field of the competences of the Secretary of State, as well as the preparation of the Councils of Ministers of the European Union in the field of competences of the Secretary of State.
  18. Coordination with the other ministerial departments and the integration of energy transition issues into the other sectoral policies.
  19. The dialogue with the sectors and civil society to, among other purposes, promote cooperation, the exchange of best practices and the development of business models and innovative solutions in the energy field, as well as the execution of actions and programs aimed at promoting economic, social and environmental opportunities for the energy transition of the different sectors.
  20. Those other functions attributed by the current legislation to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge in the energy and mining sectors.

  1. The definition, proposal and implementation of the Ministry’s policies regarding pollution prevention and response to the climate crisis.
  2. The environmental assessment.
  3. The promotion of the use of clean technologies and less polluting and more sustainable consumption habits, in accordance with the principles of the circular economy.
  4. The protection of the natural environment, biodiversity, mountains, the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, habitats and natural ecosystems in the terrestrial and marine environment, as well as the integration of territorial, environmental and ecological considerations in the actions of its competence.
  5. The definition, proposal and execution of the Ministry’s policies on water and the management of the hydraulic public domain, as well as the protection and conservation of the sea and of the marine-terrestrial public domain.
  6. Participation in the planning of research policy on terrestrial and marine biodiversity and the imposition of sanctions for very serious infringements regulated by Law 42/2007, of 13 December, on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, on marine biodiversity.
  7. The preparation of the Councils of Ministers of the European Union within the scope of competence of the Secretariat of State.

  1. The elaboration, in collaboration with the other ministerial departments and territorial administrations, and the proposal and promotion, within the competence of the General Administration of the State, of the general objectives, strategies and plans and priority actions in the field of demographic challenge.
  2. The coordination of the other ministerial departments and territorial public administrations in the field of demographic challenge, as well as the promotion of public-private collaboration to achieve the objectives related to the demographic challenge.
  3. The functions that Law 45/2007, of December 13, for the sustainable development of the rural environment assigns to the General Administration of the State.
  4. The promotion, without prejudice to the competences of other ministerial departments, of equal opportunities and non-discrimination on grounds of residence and age, as well as the promotion and safeguarding, in collaboration with other ministerial departments and territorial public administrations, of the appropriate provision of basic services to the entire population, in conditions of equity, with special attention to children, youth and the elderly.
  5. The promotion, without prejudice to the competences of other ministerial departments, of the role of women in rural areas, as well as the socio-labour inclusion of immigrants in areas at demographic risk.
  6. The coordination of policies aimed at promoting the reconciliation of family and professional life, co-responsibility, child-rearing and the development of family projects, especially in the areas most affected by demographic risks.
  7. the coordination of public policies, within the General Administration of the State, aimed at promoting awareness, knowledge and training, from childhood and youth, and throughout life, that value the territory, especially rural areas, and promote knowledge and the revitalization of existing opportunities in areas affected by depopulation.
  8. The promotion, without prejudice to the competences of other ministerial departments, of investment, employment opportunities, diversification and economic development, with the aim of strengthening the socio-economic fabric in areas affected by depopulation.
  9. The promotion and promotion, in collaboration with the other ministerial departments and territorial public administrations, of the appropriate dimensioning of the necessary infrastructures and equipment in the face of the demographic challenge.
  10. The promotion and promotion, in collaboration with the other ministerial departments and territorial public administrations, of policies aimed at dealing with the progressive aging and the effects of the floating population.
  11. Participation on behalf of the Ministry in international organizations and follow-up to international conventions on demographic challenges.
  12. Participation on behalf of the General Administration of the State in Councils of the European Union in the field of demographic challenge and other international organizations.

  1. Assistance to the head of the Ministry in the functions of monitoring the activity of the Department, carrying out those that make it possible to evaluate the operation, effectiveness and performance of the staff and services of the Ministry, as well as monitoring the contracting of public works of technical, functional and administrative competence of the Department, all without prejudice to the competences of the General Intervention of the State Administration.
  2. Institutional relations with professional organizations and other representative entities of interest in the environmental and energy sectors, and related to demographic challenge, without prejudice to the competences of the Secretariats of State and the General Secretariat.
  3. Monitoring, analysis and foresight of the social, economic and environmental aspects linked to the different strategic areas of the Department, including the creation and dissemination of information related to them.
  4. The definition of the multiannual guidelines that guide the studies of the Department, according to the lines of political strategy, as well as coordinating the Study Program of the Department.
  5. The coordination of the functional areas and units of the Department integrated in the Government Delegations and the evaluation of the resources necessary for its operation, without prejudice to the functional dependence provided for in this royal decree.
  6. Coordination of the Department’s institutional advertising campaigns.
  7. The activities arising from the Kingdom of Spain ' s membership in international organizations and in general in international relations, both bilateral and multilateral, and external action in the field of the Department ' s competition policies, as well as the promotion and development of the activities necessary for the fulfilment of international commitments and international programmes of cooperation and technical assistance.
  8. Monitoring and assistance to the other bodies of the Ministry in the preparation of the Councils of Ministers of the European Union; monitoring of the procedures related to the application of European Union regulations, as well as monitoring their transposition into domestic law, in collaboration with the units responsible for the elaboration of regulations and competent by reason of matter, including the system of State aid.
  9. The direction, promotion and coordination of foreign ministries.
  10. The inspection of the organs and bodies dependent on or attached to the Department and the monitoring of plans and actions for the improvement of the effectiveness and quality of services, as well as the coordination and management of actions in the field of governance and open government.
  11. The senior management of all the Department ' s staff, the management of human resources and the resolution of all matters relating to the Department, except in cases reserved for the decision of the head of the Ministry and the Secretariats of State.
  12. The preparation of the Ministry ' s annual preliminary draft budget and the coordination of the budgets of its affiliated public agencies, as well as the monitoring of budget implementation and the authorization and processing of its modifications and the evaluation of the various spending programmes.
  13. The organisation and management of the secretariat of the Network of Environmental Authorities and the contact point of the LIFE programme of the European Union.
  14. The direction, impetus and coordination of the Department ' s common services, management of the internal system, including offices of assistance in records, public events, security and other general services.
  15. The planning, preparation, supervision and management of projects for the execution of works, as well as the maintenance, permanently updated, of the inventory of buildings related to the Ministry.
  16. The economic and financial management of the Department.
  17. The direction and supervision of the recruitment of the Department and its affiliated agencies.
  18. The development of the information systems necessary for the operation of the services, the promotion of digital transformation and innovation in the Department.
  19. The realization and coordination, where appropriate, of the statistical operations of the sectoral plans and those assigned to the Department in the National Statistical Plan.
  20. The coordination, programming and execution of the editorial and dissemination activity of the Ministry ' s publications in the various media and in the section referring to the Department ' s institutional Ministry of the Web.
  21. The exercise of the functions of the Equality Unit of the Ministry, as foreseen in article 77 of Organic Law 3/2007, of March 22, for the effective equality of women and men.
  22. The direction of the general archives, documentary centers, libraries and media library of the Department.
  23. To issue instructions and service orders in relation to the management and processing of the Department’s own matters.
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Regulations

  • Royal Decree 500/2020, of 28 Aprilwhich develops the basic organizational structure of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, and amends Royal Decree 139/2020 of 28 January, which establishes the basic organizational structure of ministerial departments. BOE 05/05/2020 (consolidated version that includes the subsequent modifications).
  • See the Rules of Application.
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Organic structure (organigram)

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