A historic win for animal rights: Spain passes law against domestic animal abuse
Earlier this month, Spanish legislators unanimously approved a bill to improve the welfare of animals. The bill was accompanied by a modification of the penal code that will result in harsher punishments for anyone who abuses animals. Ione Belarra, Minister of Social Rights and Leader of the Read More...
Tobacco companies in Spain now fit the bill for cigarette butt clean-up
Tobacco businesses will be obliged to pay for the cleanup of millions of cigarette ends discarded by smokers each year under new environmental legislation in Spain. The decision, which went into effect last week, is part of a package of waste-reduction and recycling efforts. It calls for the Read More...
Spain responds to the cost of living crisis by making train journeys free of charge
As the cost of living continues to climb ever higher, some governments are taking their time as they draw up and execute plans that will help support their citizens. Spain’s governing bodies, on the other hand, are charging full steam ahead to relieve their people of at least some financial Read More...
This doggy-bag law in Spain intends to curb food waste
Did you know that in Spain, it’s not a common practice to take home uneaten food from a restaurant? According to news site The Local, “Spain isn’t a country with a longstanding tradition of leftover restaurant food going in doggy bags, perhaps as a combination of it not being part of the Read More...
This recycling program in Catalonia aims to rid streets and beaches of cigarette butts
The Catalan government has launched a clever plan to rid their streets and beaches of cigarette butts. As an added plus, the plan has provided a small source of income for the homeless. According to the environmental organization Ocean Conservancy, cigarette butts are the most plentiful type of Read More...
Turning waste into musical instruments for disadvantaged youths
In Spain, a creative social project aims to improve the lives of children from disadvantaged backgrounds through music, education, and recycling. The initiative, called Music for Recycling, involves an inventive orchestra that brings together youths from deprived homes, who play with instruments Read More...
Spain formally recognizes animals as sentient beings
Spain joins nations like the UK and Brussels in passing an animal welfare law that recognizes animals as sentient beings, meaning that the country will no longer consider pets and wild animals as “objects." Spain’s Congress of Deputies passed the new legislation, which received majority Read More...
Spain fights child obesity by outlawing unhealthy food ads directed at kids
In an effort to combat child obesity, Spain banned the advertising of unhealthy junk foods and beverages last month. “Our children are very vulnerable to advertising, and it is our obligation to protect them,” consumer affairs Minister Alberto Garzon published on Twitter. According to the Read More...
Spain expands IVF access to single women and LGBTQ individuals
Spain has expanded their public health system to be more equitable with the announcement that single women, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people can have access to medically assisted reproduction, including IVF, making it available free of charge. Fertility treatment in Spain is already Read More...
Drivers in Barcelona can exchange their old car for a free transit pass
With governments racing to meet their climate targets, many of them have been particularly attentive to the transportation sector, where reducing emissions can have a huge impact. In that vein, there is an increasing number of initiatives looking to move people away from cars and towards cleaner Read More...