Diego Sesma-Martín

This study investigates the associations between individual factors and organizational outcomes related to sustainability, with a focus on the implementation of green jobs and green behaviors. Specifically, the analysis examines (a) the relationship between green awareness and green jobs, (b) the association between resilience and green awareness, and (c) the mediating role of technology acceptance in the relationship between green awareness and green jobs. A sample of 302 workers in Spain was analyzed using a PLS-SEM model (SmartPLS) with validated scales for technology acceptance, green awareness, green jobs/skills, and resilience (Likert 1–7). The results indicate that green awareness is positively associated with green job and behavior performance, resilience is positively related to green awareness, and technology acceptance partially mediates the effect of green awareness on green jobs. Among the control variables, education level does not show a significant effect, while job category is negatively associated with green jobs, possibly due to limited opportunities for action at lower hierarchical levels. Due to the cross-sectional design, these findings should be interpreted as associative rather than causal. Overall, the results highlight that integrating pro-environmental behavior and technology adoption provides insight into the attitude–behavior gap in the green transition and underscores the importance of selecting and developing resilient employees with ecological values, as well as designing user-centered green tools, training, and working conditions that support the translation of attitudes into environmental performance.

This work explores the intricate dynamics of water management, energy generation, and irrigation in Spain by examining the evolving regulatory framework governing water resource allocation. It introduces a novel approach to quantify water usage and unpacks the ‘mixed uses’ category for the first time, focusing on entities holding water allocation concessions rather than mere dam ownership. Our f indings reveal the profound influence of private electricity companies on water resource management, despite the significant portion of state-owned dams. The results point to hydroelectric dominance in water allocation and underscore the complex interaction between public ownership and private management of electric companies. This research emphasises the need for nuanced policy considerations in the broader context of energy and agriculture while contributing to a richer understanding of Spain’s unique water governance landscape.

Humanity’s need for freshwater has more than doubled since the 1960s, in line with population and economic growth

Today, human activities are highly dependent on fossil fuels and industrialized forms of agriculture and have reached a level that could damage the Earth’s systems

Water resources are limited and uneven in space and time. Competition for the use of the resource can lead to conflicts between water users. Besides its use for irrigation and agriculture, water is an essential input in the thermoelectric power generation process. Massive Spanish nuclear program projects have conditioned water management in the country, as significant freshwater volumes need to be constantly available for the proper operation of these facilities. Water for cooling has conflicted with other water-using activities, resulting in regional imbalances. The present study shows that cooling water represented a source of conflict between irrigators and electricity companies in Spain in the 1970s and 1980s. A historical analysis of documentary sources reveals that the drawing off of fresh water for cooling by the nuclear industry was one of the many causes of frequent disputes and the rise of social movements against the installation of nuclear power plants in Spain during that period.

Water is essential for almost all energy processes. This paper analyses the evolution of the cooling water needs of thermal power plants in the Ebro River basin, the largest contributor to the Spanish electricity grid, over the period 1969–2015. It makes several contributions. First, the cooling water needs for the plants are estimated. Second, these water requirements are compared to other water-using activities in the region. Third, a long-term water-use efficiency analysis is carried out. Finally, water-saving measures are proposed to counter possible future water scarcities. The results show that thermoelectric water consumption per capita is around 7 m³/year. Estimated future thermal power generation water withdrawals (around 500 m³ per capita/year) might compromise flows for other water uses in periods of drought.

This paper focuses on the fact that the water–energy nexus remains an irrelevant issue on the energy policy agenda and on the priorities of the energy leaders in Spain. This is a striking fact given that this takes place in the most arid country in Europe, where almost two-thirds of electricity generation would have to be halted in the absence of an adequate water supply. We contend that part of the explanation may lie in the lack of official statistics and inconsistent sources of information on the water–energy nexus in Spain. To illustrate this point, we provide examples of the uneven data available for one of the most intensive freshwater users in the thermoelectric sector in Spain: nuclear power plants. Our research demonstrates the need for improved indicators as policy instruments in the water–energy nexus in Spain since it is impossible to improve what cannot be measured.