Canary Islands Air Quality and Pollution Control Decree (2025)

Overview

On December 18, 2025, the Canary Islands government approved a comprehensive decree aimed at strengthening the protection of the local atmosphere from pollution caused by industrial activities. The new regulations update and replace previous laws, emphasizing prevention, monitoring, and emission reduction, particularly addressing activities that generate odors and diffuse pollutants.

Key Provisions

• The decree introduces stricter controls for installations, including approval procedures, emission limits, and periodic inspections, with a focus on transparency and public access to information.
• A significant innovation is the inclusion of odor as a contaminant requiring specific methodologies for evaluation and control.
• The regulation designates the environmental department as the main authority responsible for overseeing these measures, with collaboration from certified technical entities.

Transitional and Regulatory Details

• Smaller and existing facilities will have a transitional period of up to three years to comply with the new rules.
• Medium combustion plants are governed by existing national regulations.
• The decree abolishes an older regulation from 2006, aligning local policies with the latest European standards and environmental priorities.

Goals and Commitments

Overall, this law aims to improve air quality, protect residents' health, and ensure sustainable industrial development across the islands, reflecting its commitment to environmental integrity and public well-being.