From Decarbonization to Depopulation: An Emerging Challenge for the Carbon-Intensive Regions under the Energy Transition in Spain

Since 1990, Spain has undergone a rapid decarbonization process focused on closing carbon-intensive facilities such as coal mines and coal-fired power plants promoting renewable energy sources. These have been the main source of income employment in regions where they were located, addition to being major carbon emissions. Their closure can huge impact socioeconomic demographic composition these regions, damaging social fabric accelerating depopulation. Based detailed analysis policy documents data (from municipal registers 1991–2011 census), this article aims to: first identify delineate that are vulnerable negative impacts ongoing process; second, examine different responses phases Spain; finally, (size, structure, population) configuration Spain.