Garrigues’s renowned environmental team, part of its broader public law department, distinguishes itself through a collaborative approach that integrates expertise from engineering, law, chemistry, biology, and economics specialists. The team offers comprehensive advice across all areas of environmental law, with particular recognition for its recent work on waste management, greenhouse gas emission allowance trading, restoration projects, and permitting processes. Since March 2024, key figure David Sanz Pérez, an expert in environmental and energy law, has co-led the firm’s administrative, urban planning, and environmental law team from the Barcelona office. Fellow co-head José Segarra García-Argüelles frequently advises on environmental legality reviews and assists with procedures for obtaining environmental intervention instruments, while Victoria Esteban specialises in waste, water, air emission, and contaminated land matters.

The leading environment, climate change & sustainability team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo has dedicated expertise in environment, circular economy, water, and climate change matters, as well as over two decades of experience in the sector. Notably, the firm has recently seen an increase in its waste management-related work, due to new regulatory developments in the region. Market giants Pedro Poveda and Santiago Garrido co-head the team. Poveda has extensive experience in environmental law topics including waste, integrated pollution prevention and control, and environmental authorisations. Garrido often assists local and foreign clients on administrative and judicial proceedings relating to environmental, energy, and natural resources matters. Other key individuals include Eduardo Orteu, who specialises in water law, waste management regulation, and sustainability issues, and Helena Villena Romera, an expert in industrial environment, climate change and biodiversity.

Pérez-Llorca’s environment and climate change team, an integral part of the firm’s public and regulatory law practice, handles complex cases involving waste, water, contamination, and renewable energy. The team offers a comprehensive range of services, frequently advising clients on regulatory, administrative, judicial, and compliance matters related to environmental issues. Practice head Alberto Ibort is highly regarded for his expertise in complex environmental and planning matters with significant regulatory components, as well as for his insights into the environmental aspects of ESG issues. Other key individuals include José Del Saz-Orozco, who provides regulatory advice on electronic and plastic waste, coastal protection, and soil and water contamination, and Antoni Companys, who joined from Deloitte Legal in October 2023, and frequently supports industrial clients in regulated sectors with a wide range of environmental and land planning-related matters.

Domestic and international clients operating in environmentally sensitive industries – including steel, pharma, chemicals, automotive, food, manufacturing and energy, to name a few – regularly turn to Uría Menéndez for advice on complex environmental matters, covering both preventive and contentious issues. The group is well equipped to handle environmental crimes and liability matters, as well as issues related to waste management, the circular economy and air emissions, among others. The team is jointly led by three partners: Juan Antonio Loste Madoz, who brings extensive experience in administrative, civil and criminal environmental cases; Jamie Calvo, who advises on administrative proceedings involving concessions, sewage permits, waste management, pollution and contamination issues; and Jesús Sedano, who is proficient in mandates concerning climate change, pollution, waste, water, mines and coasts.

Ceca Magán Abogados‘ environmental and sustainability team is led by María José Rovira, a seasoned expert with over ten years of experience in industrial environmental and climate change matters. The multidisciplinary team regularly assists national and international clients with the planning, development, and execution of projects. Its service offering also covers environmental authorisations, concessions, and financing matters, with the practice earning particular recognition for its expertise in environmental permitting, waste issues, and extended producer responsibility.

Clifford Chance‘s environmental law practice group advises on all aspects of environmental law, including the environmental aspects of commercial and property transactions, and environmental-related litigation. The team has extensive experience in addressing environmental issues in the energy, mining, and chemical sectors. Practice head Jaime Almenar specialises in energy regulation and related environmental law issues. José Luis Zamarro often advises clients on environmental issues arising from energy, infrastructure, and PPP matters.

Part of the firm’s wider public law group, the environment and climate change practice at Cuatrecasas offers a broad range of legal services, covering issues such as environmental licensing, environmental assessments, regulatory authorisations, related disciplinary proceedings, and environmental compliance. The team is led by Juan Carlos Hernanz, renowned for his expertise in advising clients from regulated sectors and industries with environmental impact, particularly within the energy transition field. Luis Pérez de Ayala specialises in administrative and regulatory law with a focus on environmental mandates and energy issues.

The environment and sustainability team at ECIJA has increasingly been advising clients on new obligations regarding the circular economy, eco-design, corporate sustainability due diligence, and environmental product declarations that arose as a result of changing European legal frameworks. Víctor Moralo, who leads the practice group, often assists national and multinational companies in Spain with environmental, waste, ecological transition, and circular economy matters.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s environment team often assists clients with the environmental aspects of corporate transactions, as well as environmental issues surrounding renewable, mining, and industrial projects. The firm is also involved in environmental litigation with local authorities and regulatory bodies. Iria Calviño leads the practice, specialising in decarbonisation, renewable energies, and environmental permitting. Esther Lumbreras has recently handled several ESG-related matters, including managing environmental liabilities in M&A transactions.

Singled out 'for its in-depth knowledge of the energy sector', Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s environment team is proficient in environmental impact assessments and in handling the environmental aspects of corporate, finance, and real estate transactions. Practice co-head David Diez is noted for his experience advising clients on the environmental considerations of energy, waste, and public infrastructure projects. Fellow co-head Luis González García specialises in waste, contaminated soil, water, emissions, and renewable energy issues.

The environmental law team at Andersen advises clients on a range of environmental and related regulatory issues, handling both non-contentious and contentious matters including permits, energy projects, water and waste management issues. With over two decades of experience in this space, practice head Arancha Bengoechea stands out for her expertise in environmental matters relating to the circular economy. Carlos Mínguez is a name to note for public law, natural resources, energy, and environmental mandates.

Deloitte Abogados is a popular choice for state-owned and private entities, both domestic and international, from a wide range of sectors, including energy and resources, construction, mining, manufacturing, food, and financial services, seeking specialist advice on ESG issues. The practice is under the joint leadership of María Guinot, who brings together expertise in environmental law and renewable energy, Pablo Renieblas, a specialist in green tax issues, and Ignacio Ortiz del Río, who oversees sustainability matters, including sustainable finance.

Working closely with other firm-wide departments, EY Abogados‘ environmental and urban planning team is recommended for its wide-ranging expertise, which covers climate change and sustainability issues, environmental permitting, and litigation. Practice lead Ana López Muiña advises both public authorities and private companies on climate change, sustainability, urban planning, and real estate matters.

PwC Tax & Legal Services’s environment team is known for its expertise in waste regulations and circular economy matters, environmental impact assessments and environmental permits, and climate change-related issues. With over two decades of experience in this space, practice head Ismael Aznar is a key contact for mandates involving the circular economy, waste management, and biodiversity.