Barcelona Metropolis

Climate change is not a distant threat but a reality. Like many large metropolitan areas, the Barcelona Metropolitan Region stands at a crossroads: how can it transform its energy model to adapt to and withstand the effects of climate change without leaving anyone behind?

Barcelona is already feeling the impact of a changing climate. Average temperatures have risen alarmingly in recent decades, and heatwaves hit vulnerable groups the hardest, especially older people and those living in homes with poor energy efficiency. The solution lies in a clear strategy that combines the decarbonisation of the economy – particularly in mobility, one of the main drivers of environmental and health problems – with the energy retrofitting of buildings, with a non-negotiable focus on social justice. Yet the road ahead is not without obstacles: economic barriers, resistance to change and the frequent lack of bold public policies often hinder this transformation.

Obstacles and resistance

Despite political will and the pressing need for structural changes, the transition towards a more energy-resilient city is far from straightforward. The first major stumbling block is economic: the resources required for the necessary shift in the model are vast and can only be mobilised through collaboration between the public and private sectors. Clear examples of this joint effort include actions such as the energy retrofitting of old buildings or the installation of renewable energy systems. Social inequality is also a hindrance. If climate policies are not designed with social justice criteria in mind, they risk benefiting only those with greater resources.

Adding to this challenge is the lack of coordination between various levels of government and organisations, resulting in fragmented responsibilities and poor communication between administrations. This disconnect hampers the implementation of long-term projects, often leading to overlapping responsibilities, divergent political priorities and inefficient management of available resources. Furthermore, excessive bureaucracy and the absence of agile collaboration mechanisms prevent a swift and coordinated response to citizens’ needs. As a result, many projects face delays or even abandonment due to the lack of agreement between the parties involved, undermining sustainable development and the efficiency of public service delivery.

Lastly, it’s important not to overlook the structural resistance to change: vested interests linked to fossil fuels, pressure from certain economic sectors and the reluctance of some swathes of society to change long-standing habits. The introduction of low-emission zones, for example, has sparked controversy among shopkeepers and residents, despite its clear environmental benefits.

Yet, despite these challenges, Barcelona also serves as a laboratory for innovative solutions. Projects like the superblocks have redefined urban mobility, cutting motorised traffic and reclaiming pedestrian spaces and green areas – with positive results, though not without pushback from diverse social groups.

Major opportunities

Barcelona holds a historic opportunity to spearhead the urban climate transition. The decarbonisation of energy, the shift away from fossil fuels in mobility and the energy retrofitting of buildings are three key pillars for strengthening resilience.

Renewable energy generation has become a linchpin of Barcelona’s energy transition, driven by a firm commitment to installing photovoltaic systems on public buildings and fostering local energy communities. The city’s numbers are impressive: according to the Self-Consumption Observatory in Catalonia, Barcelona already has over 250 photovoltaic installations with a combined capacity exceeding 50 MW – figures that rise year after year, reflecting sustained growth and the shared commitment of citizens and institutions to decentralised renewable energy production.

Barcelona City Council has launched several projects to upgrade its public buildings – community centres, schools, libraries and other municipal facilities – by installing solar panels for self-consumption. This initiative not only cuts energy costs and CO₂ emissions but also promotes energy self-sufficiency in line with the Agenda 2030 objectives.

The Next Generation funds have played a pivotal role in this transformation, financing energy efficiency and storage projects that enable the installation of new photovoltaic systems and enhance their performance. This model strengthens self-consumption, turning Barcelona’s buildings into small-scale energy hubs where surplus energy can be shared through collective energy communities, empowering residents to become active producers of renewable energy.

Another flagship initiative is the city’s district heating and cooling networks, Districlima and Ecoenergies, which serve the 22@ district and the Marina del Prat Vermell area, respectively. These networks harness renewable energy sources and waste heat to deliver thermal energy efficiently. They have recently incorporated an innovative project that makes use of surplus cold from Enagás’ gasification plant.

In the same field, Barcelona Energia – the public supplier of 100% renewable energy – has become a benchmark in the energy transition. While its primary focus is on Barcelona and its metropolitan area, it aims to expand to other municipalities. The company currently manages more than 12,000 supply points, approximately 52% of which correspond to private customers, including individuals and businesses, while the remaining 48% supply public facilities linked to Barcelona City Council.

On the mobility front, Barcelona is at the forefront of innovation, driven by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), with several pioneering projects aimed at decarbonising its fleet and achieving 100% sustainable mobility by 2030. Urban transport is also advancing in the transition away from fossil fuels: 25% of TMB’s bus fleet is already emissions-free, thanks to the adoption of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. The city has also launched Spain’s first public hydrogen plant, capable of refuelling buses in just 15 minutes – positioning TMB and Barcelona as global benchmarks in hydrogen-based mobility.

Beyond TMB’s public transport projects, establishing an extensive network of electric charging points is a critical challenge for the city. This infrastructure is key to accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles and phasing out fossil fuels. Barcelona currently has around 1,800 charging points, both public and private – a figure that has risen significantly in recent years. Municipal forecasts suggest this number could reach 2,500 by the end of 2024 and surpass 3,000 in 2025, in step with a rising electric vehicle fleet that has grown by approximately 35% over the past year.

Expanding this infrastructure delivers multiple benefits. Firstly, it enhances the user experience for electric vehicle owners, building confidence and accelerating the shift towards more sustainable mobility. It is also crucial for maximising the efficient use of renewable energy, with fast-charging technologies and smart monitoring systems that optimise electricity consumption.

The challenge of the building stock

In the residential sector, Barcelona faces a significant challenge with its building stock: around 70-80% of the city’s buildings were built before 1979, prior to the introduction of strict energy efficiency regulations. Consequently, many buildings have very low thermal efficiency, resulting in high energy consumption and substantial CO₂ emissions – a situation that directly affects residents’ quality of life.

To address these challenges, a series of comprehensive energy retrofitting initiatives have been rolled out across both public and private buildings. Numerous projects have focused on improving thermal insulation, upgrading climate control systems and incorporating automation technologies in community centres, schools, libraries and other municipal buildings. These projects not only reduce energy consumption but also enhance user comfort and cut associated emissions.

With these measures, Barcelona is strengthening its role as a leader in the urban energy transition. Future prospects point to a steady increase in installed capacity and greater citizen participation, both essential to meeting the challenges of climate change and securing a more sustainable future.

Beyond climate: a matter of social justice

Barcelona’s future is at stake today. The city faces complex challenges amid accelerating climate change, where social vulnerability and energy poverty are closely intertwined with the impacts of heatwaves and other extreme weather events. However, Barcelona has a wide array of tools, projects and strong political will that position it to transform these challenges into opportunities – setting the city on course to become a model of climate resilience.

At the same time, coordination between administrations is essential to developing holistic policies that both improve quality of life in public spaces and protect public health. Energy retrofitting, the creation of climate shelters and the promotion of self-consumption communities exemplify the city’s commitment to reducing inequalities and strengthening its capacity to adapt to rising temperatures.

Moreover, the active engagement of citizens and the support for local and collective initiatives ensure that the transition is not only a technical process but also a social and cultural transformation. This participatory, inclusive approach is key to making sure that the structural changes the city needs are guided by a vision of social justice, one that protects the most vulnerable and promotes a future where collective well-being is at the heart of the transformation.

In conclusion, Barcelona’s future hinges on its ability to seize this opportunity to turn environmental challenges into drivers of change. The city has the tools, projects and political will to lead this climate revolution, but its ultimate success will depend on its capacity to combine technological innovation with public policies that guarantee inclusion and social justice.

The pressing question is: will we be able to seize this opportunity to build a more resilient, sustainable and equitable Barcelona? The decisions made today will shape the kind of city we leave for future generations.