2026
Material flow analysis of the Basque Country 2023 and 2024
We updated the material flow analysis for the Basque Country for 2023 and 2024 to obtain the indicators that provide an overview of the Basque economic system and continue monitoring the territory’s material metabolism.
Identified need
Progress towards a circular economy requires continuous and systematic monitoring to analyse the evolution of material consumption within a territory. In this context, the Basque Country periodically updates its Material Flow Statistics, a tool that makes it possible to assess trends in resource use and measure progress towards established circular economy targets.
Client profile
Ihobe is the Public Environmental Management Company of the Basque Government, working to improve the environment by integrating environmental criteria into public policies. It works with businesses, public administrations and citizens, drawing on innovation, digitalisation, advanced project management and cooperation as key drivers.
Methodological approach and work process
At Baisma, we supported Ihobe in updating the indicators that characterise the Basque economic system for 2023 and 2024. The work included analysing material inputs, outputs and recirculation within the economic system, as well as assessing external dependence through imports and exports, domestic production through domestic extraction, and the region’s total material requirements.
Based on these results, the Sankey diagram for the Basque Country was developed in line with the European Union methodology for material flow analysis and reporting. The update followed the methodology used in previous exercises, thereby ensuring comparability of results and continuity of the historical series.
Results and value generated
The project ensured continuity in the annual monitoring of material consumption in the Basque Country, strengthening knowledge of its evolution and facilitating the identification of priority areas for action to progress towards a more circular economy. These results can also feed into other studies and reports, such as the Basque Country Environmental Outlook Report 2025.
