Our mission and vision

The Decree 170/2024, of August 26, establishing the organizational structure of the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment indicates which competencies and functions correspond to the General Secretariat of Environment and Climate Change, with the rank of Vice-Counselor.

Powers:

The Department of Sustainability and Environment is responsible for exercising the powers attributed to the Autonomous Community of Andalusia in matters of environment and sustainable development, as well as powers regarding compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.

Direction, coordination and control of the activities of the following central management bodies:

1. General Directorate of Forest Policy and Biodiversity.
2. General Directorate of Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy
3. General Directorate of Protected Natural Spaces.

Promotion and coordination of the implementation of actions related to the following matters:

1. The coordination of environmental policies.
2. Promote and coordinate mitigation and adaptation policies against climate change and for the transition towards a new energy model.
3. The conservation, sustainable use, improvement and restoration of Andalusia's natural heritage and biodiversity.
4. The integrated management of environmental quality, including environmental liability and the repair of environmental damage, excluding water resources, as well as the proposal to designate the competent body for processing administrative files requiring environmental liability when it affects more than one province and in cases of multiple affected natural resources, as well as coordination with other competent administrations.
5.  The promotion and knowledge of initiatives and actions carried out by the Andalusian Regional Government aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda, particularly with regard to achieving global governance of that Agenda, as well as representation before national or international institutions or bodies, without prejudice to the powers attributed to the Ministry competent in matters of coordination of the external action of the Andalusian Regional Government.

Functions:

1. The definition, planning and development of actions against climate change and for the transition to a new energy model.
2. The processing, resolution and monitoring of registrations in the Andalusian Emissions Compensation System, as well as the promotion and coordination of forest, blue and other emerging methodology carbon compensation projects.
3. The operational development of the Andalusian Climate Action Plan and its monitoring.
4. The planning and coordination of measures for climate action and implementation of its planning from the private sector and the local sphere.
5. The promotion and coordination of R&D&i activities, in collaboration with Universities and other research centers within its area of competence, as well as the Network of Climate Change Observatories of Andalusia, in coordination with the Ministry responsible for universities, research and innovation.
6. The programming and strategic planning in environmental matters, as well as the strategic environmental assessment of plans and programs, without prejudice to the competencies attributed to another management center in relation to urban planning instruments.
7. Improve the management of space at sea, by promoting and coordinating dialogue among sea users, stakeholders and scientists on matters related to oceans, seas and coastline, encouraging and promoting cooperative exchange of ideas for the sustainable use of the marine environment, without prejudice to the competencies in the field of use, management and sustainable conservation of marine resources that correspond to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
8. Contribute to achieving the objectives of climate neutrality and zero pollution in the marine sphere.
9. The organization, management, structuring and functioning of the Environmental Information Network (REDIAM), for the integration and dissemination of all alphanumeric, graphic or any other type of information about the environment in Andalusia, generated by all types of environmental information producers in the Autonomous Community, to be used in management, research, public dissemination and decision-making, as well as the establishment of the lines of action of the Ministry in matters of statistical and cartographic information production.
10. The programming, promotion and fostering of activities related to environmental education, training and awareness-raising.
11. The organization and coordination of environmental agents, without prejudice to the competencies attributed to the corresponding peripheral management bodies and the management of personnel matters by the General Technical Secretariat.
12. The planning and execution of competencies on voluntary controls and environmental quality distinctive marks provided for in Law 7/2007, of 9 July, on Integrated Environmental Quality Management.
13. Acting as the competent body for the purposes of European regulations for the promotion and encouragement of the Community system for environmental management and audit (EMAS) and the European ecolabel.

The purpose of the Environmental Information Portal is to make available to scientists, technicians, managers, as well as to the general public, data and tools methodological that help improve knowledge of the environment in Andalusia.

And it is that environmental information is an essential instrument for advancing its sustainability and for involving the population in the conservation of natural resources and the biodiversity that our region possesses.

Through this Environmental Information Portal a dual objective:

• Facilitate the access to the set of information on the environment existing in Andalusia, providing reliable, updated content with quality guarantee. To do this, available environmental information is disseminated through this portal, and environmental information requests are managed.
• To promote direct contact with citizens on environmental matters. To do this the different existing processes are simplified, participation is encouraged, and more direct and simple relationships are established, not only with citizens but also with companies and interested entities. 

Environmental information includes all types of data in written, visual, sound, electronic or any other format that deals with, among others, the state of the environment, as well as on the factors that affect environmental elements and the measures adopted to protect it. 

Information on the economic cost to protect the environment, as well as the benefits that we obtain from it, is also considered environmental information.

Environmental information according to Law 27/2006:

• The state of the elements of the environment, such as air and the atmosphere, water, soil, land, landscapes and natural spaces, including wetlands and marine and coastal areas, biological diversity and its components, including genetically modified organisms; and the interaction between these elements.
• Factors, such as substances, energy, noise, radiation or waste, including radioactive waste, emissions, discharges and other releases into the environment, that affect or may affect the environmental elements mentioned above.
• Measures, including administrative measures, such as policies, regulations, plans, programmes, environmental agreements and activities that affect or may affect the elements and factors mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, as well as activities or measures aimed at protecting these elements.
• Reports on the implementation of environmental legislation.
• Analyses of cost-benefit relationships and other analyses and economic assumptions used in decision-making relating to the measures and activities mentioned in the third point.
• The state of health and safety of people, including, where applicable, contamination of the food chain, human living conditions, assets of historical, cultural and artistic heritage and buildings, when they are or may be affected by the state of environmental elements  or, through those elements, by any of the endpoints cited in the second and third points.

Minimum content of the information subject to disclosure according to Law 27/2006:

• The texts of treaties, conventions and agreements  international and community, state, regional or local legislative texts on the environment or related to it.
• Policies, programs and plans relating to the environment, as well as their environmental assessments where appropriate.
• Reports on progress recorded in the implementation of regulations and legislative texts.
• Annual reports on the state of the environment.
• Reports or summaries of data derived from monitoring activities that affect or may affect the environment.
• Authorizations and agreements with a significant effect on the environment.
• Studies on  environmental impact and risk assessments relating to environmental elements  environment or failing that a reference to the place where the information can be requested or found.