Slower growth in Spanish firms' green spending

Spanish industry spending on environmental protection rose 4% in 2003, compared with a 28% rise in 2002, according to a report issued on 9 November by national statistics office, INE. At €1.96bn, the 2003 total was equivalent to 0.25% of GDP. Capital investment made up 41% of the total but was down by almost 9% on the previous year. Measures to reduce atmospheric emissions accounted for 31% of spending followed by wastewater management at 23%. By sector the chemicals industry was the biggest investor, spending €138m. See 2003 report.