Torrevieja Council has launched a €1.8 million public tender to implement a Low-Emission Zone (ZBE) in the municipality—years after the legal deadline set by Spain’s central government. The contract, funded through the European Union’s Next Generation recovery package, will span three years, covering technical analysis, the installation of cameras and air quality sensors, road signage, digital control systems, and ongoing maintenance.
While the move has been welcomed as a long-overdue step toward sustainable urban mobility, critics have noted that the project comes five years later than required. The ZBE framework was first drafted in 2021, approved by Royal Decree in 2022, and mandated for full implementation by 2023 across all Spanish municipalities with over 50,000 residents.
By extending implementation to 2028, Torrevieja not only misses the deadline but also stretches public confidence. Environmental campaigners argue that this delay undermines Spain’s wider obligations. In a recent legal opinion, the United Nations ruled that governments failing to implement climate change protections are in violation of international law.
Torrevieja’s track record on sustainability projects has already raised eyebrows. The city was recently forced to return €1.6 million in EU funding after failing to execute key urban mobility improvements tied to earlier environmental goals.
Adding to the frustration for residents is the sense of double cost. Not only has funding been lost, but municipal waste management fees have risen dramatically in recent years. Torrevieja now holds one of the most expensive collection contracts in the region, yet continues to suffer from limited bin infrastructure in places, a reduction in recycling, and irregular collection in several neighbourhoods, with many residents now taking to their cars to deliver the rubbish to the bins due to the locations, thus also increasing traffic pollution —contradicting the intended spirit of environmental progress.
The national government has been facing the blame for the price increase, because the entire cost of the fulfilment must now be paid by the residents, not subsidised, but the reality is that this legislation was also significantly delayed, ignored by the previous national government, for which the country was also fined, and, as opposition councillors have argued, had the measures been implemented on time, the cost to residents could have been reduced, not increased, as the aim of the legislation was to reduce waste. The original aim of the law was to incentivise sustainable mobility, reduce traffic pollution, and enable long-term savings—outcomes that now appear to be further away than ever.
One of the intended zones earmarked for the low emissions zones has recently, once again, been approved for parking, a situation which is known to increase pollution, with the excuse being given that it is to balance out the lack of parking at the port, with the town hall seemingly forgetting they were present at the opening of a new car park in April, which was also billed as offering the same improvements.
It should also be noted that the central government has agreed an extension on the ZBE implementation on two occasions, the latest extension expiring in December of this year, where it looks like Torrevieja will once again exceed the limitations, and not in a good way, considering the air quality index in the town, as recorded by the regional government, is frequently fair to moderate, the best day recorded in the last 365 days only reaching fair, but the worst day recently being 9 July 2025, when the recorded level sank to extremely poor. Statistically, Saturday is the worst day of the week, a day when schools are closed and many people are not at work.
With the formal tender now published, the city faces pressure to deliver quickly and transparently. Residents, environmental groups, and regional authorities will be watching closely to see whether this delayed promise finally leads to meaningful action—or more missed opportunities.
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