Spain Drives Circular Economy Forward with Major Plan, New Observatory Leadership, and Industry Training
Spain advances its circular economy with a new government action plan, leadership in its Circular Economy Observatory, and specialized training for furniture industry professionals.
- • The Spanish government approved the II Circular Economy Action Plan with a budget of nearly 1.885 billion euros and 105 measures for sustainable economic transition by 2030.
- • Elena Galante Marcos was appointed director of the Observatorio Español de Economía Circular to enhance knowledge and collaboration on circular economy in Spain.
- • A new free online course for furniture sector professionals trains managers to lead circular economy transitions, fostering innovation and sustainability.
- • The initiatives collectively advance Spain's environmental goals while promoting job creation, strategic autonomy, and competitiveness.
Key details
Spain is enhancing its commitment to a sustainable and circular economy through a series of impactful initiatives announced in early 2026. The Spanish government has approved the II Circular Economy Action Plan (PAEC), allocating nearly 1.885 billion euros to implement 105 measures targeting a circular and decarbonized economy by 2030. This ambitious plan emphasizes five main areas: production with a focus on eco-design and product durability; responsible consumption aiming to reduce extractive linear models; advanced waste management prioritizing prevention and reuse; efficient water reuse; and transversal actions such as governance strengthening and a just transition. These efforts are designed to not only address environmental challenges but also to create quality jobs and enhance Spain’s strategic autonomy.
Complementing the government's roadmap, the Club de Excelencia en Sostenibilidad has appointed Elena Galante Marcos as the new director of the Observatorio Español de Economía Circular. Since its establishment in 2018, the Observatory has been a key platform for generating specialized knowledge and encouraging collaboration among businesses, public bodies, and civil society. Galante, a sustainability expert with over two decades of experience, will lead the Observatory's strategy, ensuring alignment with European and national priorities. Her responsibilities include analyzing circularity data, coordinating collaborative initiatives, and overseeing reports that track Spain’s progress towards circular economic models.
Additionally, professional training is being prioritized to facilitate industry transitions. A new free online course titled "Gerentes de Transición hacia la Economía Circular: liderando la Transición Circular en la Industria del Mueble" has been launched for furniture industry professionals. Developed under the European CirCLER project, this course offers 10 modules and 50 training capsules, designed to equip participants with the skills to lead sustainability transformations within their companies. The course highlights the crucial role of Transition Managers in integrating eco-design, innovation, and circular business models to boost sector competitiveness.
These combined efforts showcase Spain’s comprehensive strategy to embed circularity into its economy, leveraging policy, leadership, and education to meet 2030 sustainability targets.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
