Car dependency undermines Portugal's environmental progress
Despite maintaining some of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the European Union, Portugal's environmental performance is hindered by a heavy reliance on private vehicles. Data from the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation (Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos) shows that the transport sector accounts for 34.4% of national emissions, with public transport usage dropping from 29% to 12% between 1990 and 2023.
Carlos Jalali is the coordinator of the Study Centre at the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation (Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos), a Portuguese research organisation. He studies electoral behaviour and has commented on expectations for lower abstention in the current presidential vote.
