Latest news and stories about biodiversity in Portugal for expats and residents.
The 17th Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity (COP17), which took place in Yerevan, Armenia, ended on Friday night with a commitment from countries to 'accelerate' efforts to meet the targets set for 2030, acknowledging delays.
The UN conference on biodiversity risked extending into Friday night, with blockages over funding and subsidies for environmentally harmful activities.
Preliminary results from the Madeira Ocean programme indicate that marine protected areas (MPAs) in the archipelago are successfully stimulating biodiversity. Scientists observed juvenile groupers and vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems, confirming that conservation measures are effective. The programme aims to help Madeira protect 30% of its maritime territory by 2030, with further findings to be published in a 2027 scientific report.
The Portuguese government has resolved a legal dispute with the European Union, announced new measures to protect the Iberian lynx, and committed to blue carbon projects as part of a broader push for environmental conservation.
Four years after the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity agreement, 149 UN countries are in the process of restoring a total area equivalent to one-quarter of what they pledged to recover in order to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030. Despite progress, funding remains insufficient, and there are gaps in monitoring and delays regarding aquatic ecosystems.
Portugal has deposited more seed samples in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Corn, wheat, barley, and beans are now protected. What kind of bank is this, and how many samples does it already hold? We will tell you everything!
An analysis of the management and preservation of Portugal's natural resources and biodiversity.
A new initiative has been introduced to improve conservation efforts for the Iberian lynx, aiming to facilitate the growth and spread of the population across Portuguese territory.
The Portuguese government has authorised a funding package worth five million euros aimed at the conservation and protection of the Iberian lynx population.
Knowledge gaps prompted researchers from the University of Évora to study the marine phase of diadromous fish. The lamprey may even disappear from the Iberian Peninsula.
“Investing in biodiversity means protecting the natural basis of economic activities and strengthening our influence on international decisions regarding the ocean”: a reflection on COP17
Home News Wild bee species in Europe have declined over the past century Wild bee species in Europe have declined over the past century A new study reveals that most wild bee species in Europe have declined over the past 100 years, along with half of all hoverfly species, as world leaders gather
With the start of COP17, records dating back to 1921 show that, throughout Europe—with the exception of the Alps—the number of bee species in decline exceeds those that are expanding.
In Yerevan, the UN executive secretary warned that the decisions of the next two weeks will affect billions of people. Goal: 200 billion per year by 2030.
The Portuguese government pushes for increased financial resources and specific actions to address biodiversity loss during the COP17 conference.
The Rewilding Portugal association has announced that it maintains its unfavourable opinion regarding the reformulation of the Sophia photovoltaic solar plant, citing persistent risks to biodiversity, ecological connectivity, and landscape integrity, despite the project's reduction in scale. The organisation argues that the infrastructure, which covers parts of Fundão, Idanha-a-Nova, and Penamacor, still poses significant ecological threats, particularly to the Iberian wolf and Iberian lynx, as well as risks to avifauna and native vegetation. They urge authorities to prioritise functional connectivity between border ecosystems over the project in its current configuration.
At the opening of COP17 in Armenia, Zero calls for the first assessment of the Kunming-Montreal Framework to translate into “real acceleration” and points out shortcomings in the Portuguese Nature Restoration Plan.
Starting Monday, the planet's variety of life will be the focus of the UN for two weeks at the 17th biodiversity meeting (COP17), with funding and nature protection at the centre of the debates.
Environmental association ZERO is calling for the proposed Foupana dam in the eastern Algarve to be rejected, warning that it could threaten the survival of one of Portugal’s rarest freshwater The post ZERO calls for Foupana dam rejection over endangered fish and impartiality concerns appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The world remains off track to meet the targets it committed to for safeguarding biodiversity by 2030. Countries remain far from the goal of protecting 30% of land and oceans, concludes the first global assessment of action taken by parties committed to the Kunming-Montreal agreement.
CESAM researchers analysed forests worldwide and in Portugal. Greater plant diversity and the presence of water are key factors for wildlife.
An Algarve and Alentejo environmental platform has come out strongly against plans for the Foupana dam, warning that the project could cause lasting damage to biodiversity and encourage the expansion The post Environmental groups oppose Foupana dam over biodiversity fears appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The new shipment includes 303 common bean samples, 18 cowpea samples, and 13 maize samples, intended to reinforce the safeguarding of plant genetic resources and the preservation of agricultural biodiversity.
