New Research on Renewable Energy Reveals Strategies for Reducing Air Pollution

New research from the Energy Department explores the implementation of measures in sectors close to the population, such as residential buildings and passenger cars, to reduce air pollution through renewable energy. The study focuses on Spain's 2030 policy targets and uses 2021 as the reference year. The researchers conclude that the greatest benefits in terms of emission reductions are achieved through the replacement of combustion-based passenger road transport with electric vehicles and improvements to building envelopes.

Key Takeaways:

• The research examines different strategies for reducing air pollution through measures implemented in key sectors, including residential buildings and passenger cars.
• The study focuses on Spain's 2030 policy targets and uses 2021 as the reference year to quantify changes in emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
• The results indicate that the greatest benefits in terms of emission reductions are achieved through the replacement of combustion-based passenger road transport with electric vehicles.
• Improvements to building envelopes also show significant emission reductions, particularly once the electricity mix reaches the 2030 renewable energy penetration target.
• The study targets sectors directly connected to the population, with a focus on energy efficiency and the penetration of renewable energy sources.
• A free version of the journal article is available at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.2478/jlst-2025-0002.
• The researchers involved in the study are Gamarra Ana R., Vivanco Marta G., Theobald Mark R., Hernandez Coralina, and Lechon Yolanda.
• The study is published in the Logistics, Supply Chain, Sustainability and Global Challenges journal, volume 16, issue 1, pages 15-26.

Statistics:

• The research focuses on Spain's 2030 policy targets.
• The study uses 2021 as the reference year for quantifying changes in emissions.
• The results show that the replacement of combustion-based passenger road transport with electric vehicles achieves the greatest benefits in terms of emission reductions.
• Improvements to building envelopes also show significant emission reductions, particularly once the electricity mix reaches the 2030 renewable energy penetration target.
• The study targets sectors directly connected to the population, with a focus on energy efficiency and the penetration of renewable energy sources.

Sources:

• Changes in emissions of NOx and PM2.5 as a result of the implementation of measures in sectors close to the population: energy efficiency in residential buildings, and passenger cars substitution. Logistics, Supply Chain, Sustainability and Global Challenges, 2025,16(1):15-26. doi: 10.2478/jlst-2025-0002.
• NewsRx. Data on Renewable Energy Reported by Researchers at Energy Department (Changes in emissions of NOx and PM2.5 as a result of the implementation of measures in sectors close to the population: energy efficiency in residential buildings, and ...). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. October 17, 2025; p 74.