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 Deputy Minister.

Competencies:

The Ministry of Sustainability and Environment is responsible for exercising the competencies attributed to the Autonomous Community of Andalusia in matters of environment and sustainable development, as well as competencies 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 Areas.

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

1. The coordination of environmental policies.
2. Promote and coordinate policies for climate change mitigation and adaptation and for the transition to a new energy model.
3. The conservation, sustainable use, improvement and restoration of natural heritage and biodiversity in Andalusia.
4. The integrated management of environmental quality, including environmental liability and repair of environmental damage, excluding water resources, as well as the proposal for designation of the competent body for processing administrative proceedings to enforce environmental liability when it affects more than one province and in the case of multiple affected natural resources, as well as coordination with other competent administrations.
5. The promotion and awareness of initiatives and actions carried out by the Andalusian Regional Government for the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda, particularly with regard to achieving global governance of said Agenda, as well as representation before national or international institutions or bodies, without prejudice to the competencies attributed to the Ministry responsible for 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 Offset System, as well as the promotion and coordination of forest carbon offset projects, blue carbon, and other emerging methodologies.
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 local sphere.
5. The promotion and coordination of R&D&i activities, in collaboration with Universities and other research centers in the scope of its competencies, as well as the Network of Climate Change Observatories of Andalusia, in coordination with the Ministry responsible for universities, research and innovation.
6. Strategic environmental programming and planning, as well as strategic environmental assessment of plans and programs, without prejudice to the competencies attributed to another management body in relation to urban planning instruments.
7. Improve the management of space in the sea, through the promotion and coordination of dialogue among sea users, stakeholders and scientists on matters related to oceans, seas and coastlines, stimulating and promoting the cooperative exchange of ideas for the sustainable use of the marine environment, without prejudice to competencies regarding the use, management and sustainable conservation of marine resources that correspond to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing, Water and Rural Development.
8. Contribute to achieving the objectives of climate neutrality and zero pollution in the marine environment.
9. The organization, management, structuring and operation of the Environmental Information Network (REDIAM), for the integration and dissemination of all alphanumeric, graphic or any other type of information on 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 encouragement of environmental education, training and awareness activities.
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 implementation of competencies on voluntary controls and environmental quality marks provided for in Law 7/2007, of July 9, 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 methodological tools that help improve knowledge of the environment in Andalusia.

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

Through this Environmental Information Portal, a dual objective is achieved:

• Facilitate access to the set of information on the environment existing in Andalusia, providing reliable, up-to-date content with quality guarantees. To do this, available environmental information is disseminated through this portal, and requests for environmental information are managed.
• 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 with the factors that affect the elements of the environment and the measures adopted to protect it. 

Information on the economic cost of protecting the environment, as well as the benefits 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 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, which affect or may affect the elements of the environment mentioned above.
• Measures, including administrative measures, such as policies, regulations, plans, programs, agreements on environmental matters and activities that affect or may affect the elements and factors mentioned in the previous sections, as well as activities or measures aimed at protecting these elements.
• Reports on the implementation of environmental legislation.
• Cost-benefit analyses and other analyses and economic assumptions used in decision-making relating to the measures and activities mentioned in the third section.
• The state of health and safety of people, including, where appropriate, contamination of the food chain, conditions of human life, property of historical, cultural and artistic heritage and buildings, when they are or may be affected by the state of the elements of the environment or, through those elements, by any of the matters mentioned in the second and third section.

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

• The texts of international treaties, conventions and agreements and the texts of Community, state, regional or local legislation 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 made in implementing rules 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 elements of the environment or failing that a reference to where the information can be requested or found.