The Autonomous Community of the Basque Country is heavily conditioned by its location next to the Gulf of Biscay. Although varied, climate predictions for the end of the century include rising temperatures and sea levels, a reduction in overall precipitation levels and an increase in extreme weather phenomena, such as heatwaves and torrential rain. When applied to the various orographic, urbanistic and climate conditions of the Basque Country, these variations define each geographical area's vulnerability to the different impacts. In general, coastal areas and towns and villages set on river banks will be affected by rising sea levels and torrential rain, which will make flooding more probable. The urban climate and heatwaves will be influenced by phenomena referred to as "heat islands" and both the natural environment and the primary sector will be affected by environmental changes as a result of the availability of water and changes to plant cycles.

1. Vision of the Klima 2050 Strategy

The Basque Country has a competitive low-carbon economy adapted to climate effects, as a result of the consolidation of a knowledge-based climate change policy, which has made it possible to take advantage of the opportunities offered by innovation and technological development. This has been possible thanks to the co-responsibility of all the agents of Basque society, driven by the exemplary action of the Public Administration.

2. Objectives

In line with international commitments and after the analysis of different scenarios, based on socioeconomic and energy hypotheses, the strategy defines the following objectives:

• To reduce GHG emissions in the Basque Country by at least 40% by 2030 and by at least 80% by 2050, with respect to 2005.
• To reach a renewable energy consumption of 40% of final consumption by 2050.
• To ensure the resilience of the Basque territory to climate change.