Law 7/2021 and the Carbon Footprint in La Rioja
La Rioja is making progress on sustainability through the implementation of Law 7/2021 on Climate Change, which requires large companies to calculate and register their carbon footprint starting January 1, 2025. It also encourages SMEs to take the lead by voluntarily adopting sustainable practices.
Who is required to comply in La Rioja?
- Large companies
- Criteria: More than 250 employees or turnover above €50 million
- Obligation: Measure and register their carbon footprint annually starting in 2025
- Examples: Industries, distribution chains, large corporations
- SMEs
- Currently not required
- Recommended for companies that want to stay ahead of future regulations or work with large clients
- Examples: Workshops, tech companies, local businesses
Recent initiatives in La Rioja:
- Rioja Agency for Energy Transition and Climate Change (2022): Coordinates decarbonization strategies
- PRACC 2023–2030: Regional plan for climate change adaptation
- Low Emission Zones (LEZ): Logroño will implement its first LEZ in 2026 in the Madre de Dios and San José neighborhoods
Steps to comply with the law:
- Calculate the company’s carbon footprint
- Register emissions in the National Carbon Footprint Registry
- Develop an emissions reduction plan
- Apply for grants for energy efficiency and sustainability
Benefits of compliance:
- Access to public aid and tax benefits
- Improved reputation with clients, investors, and public authorities
- Legal and operational certainty in the medium and long term
What happens if you don’t comply?
- Financial penalties starting in 2025
- Loss of access to public contracts and grants
- Reputational risk in an increasingly sustainability-focused market
Complying with Law 7/2021 in La Rioja is an opportunity to grow responsibly and prepare for the future.
If you want to learn more, visit our blog here.
Is your company affected by this law? At airCO2, we’ll help you manage it step by step.