Latest news and stories about climate change in environment in Portugal for expats and residents.
From the extreme spring rain to the devastating summer wildfires, Portugal emerges as one of the examples of climate instability on the continent that is warming faster than the rest of the world.
A new report from the Lancet Countdown Europe warns of significant public health risks in Portugal due to climate change, including a sharp increase in mortality linked to extreme heat. Data indicates that heat-related alerts in Europe have risen by 318% over the last decade, with the report calling for urgent adaptive policies to protect the population. Experts like Luís Campos have emphasized the need for immediate government action to address these environmental threats.
The government will launch a technical, economic and regulatory study to adapt the National Electric System (Sistema Eléctrico Nacional) to climate change, including assessing burying overhead lines in critical areas, officials announced. The move follows storm damage and prolonged outages in some regions and aims to identify resilience measures and regulatory changes needed for investment and operations. The study could lead to long-term works and changes to maintenance priorities; residents in storm-hit areas should watch for local works and timelines. Those following energy policy should note how regulators and operators may change planning and permitting rules.
Update: Around 7,600 customers still without power
E-Redes reported that as of 08:00 about 7,600 customers in areas hit by Storm Kristin remain without electricity. The company says it is focused on restoring supply and continues to issue warnings for affected zones.
Storm Kristin was a named Atlantic storm that struck Portugal in late 2024, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds (gusts exceeding 100 km/h in some areas), and significant coastal wave action. The storm caused widespread flooding, roof collapses, fallen trees, and power outages across several districts.
IPMA issued orange and red warnings for affected regions, and ANEPC activated emergency response plans. The impact was particularly severe in flood-prone areas of the Lisbon metropolitan area and the Tagus and Mondego river basins, where drainage systems were overwhelmed.
Storm Kristin highlighted recurring vulnerabilities in Portugal's infrastructure during extreme weather events — including urban drainage capacity, riverbank management, and the need for updated emergency response coordination. Residents in storm-affected areas were advised to follow civil protection guidance, avoid coastal zones and riverbanks, and report damage through municipal services.
The National Electric System (Sistema Elétrico Nacional) is Portugal's electricity network and market covering power generation, high-voltage transmission and distribution to consumers; the transmission grid is operated by REN. The government has launched a technical, economic and regulatory study to adapt the system to climate change, including assessing burying power lines in critical areas.
An analysis of how the El Niño climate phenomenon impacts various sectors in Portugal, including business, infrastructure, and forestry.
An analytical look at Earth Day, emphasizing the necessity of bridging scientific innovation with social justice and climate action while highlighting the world's persistent dependence on fossil fuels.
Portugal and Spain are forging an alliance to address climate change and enhance economic cooperation. At a recent summit, they focused on eliminating barriers for cross-border businesses while prioritizing sustainability initiatives.
The article discusses the urgent need for regionalisation in Portugal, highlighting how recent severe weather events have exposed the country's vulnerabilities due to an excessively centralised governance model. It argues that the lack of administrative regions creates a governance void that hampers effective civil protection, resource management, and policy integration. The author advocates for an elected regional level to enhance accountability and transparency, emphasizing that decentralisation must be paired with robust information systems to ensure effective governance. The piece concludes that regionalisation is essential for adapting to climate change and improving democratic engagement.
The article discusses the frequent attribution of floods to climate change, suggesting that this perspective arises from a collective forgetfulness about historical flood events. It highlights the existence of 'Flood Marks' that serve as reminders of past floods, yet these markers have not been reached this year, indicating a disconnect between current perceptions and historical realities.
A study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) indicates that by 2100, between one third and 50% of land currently suitable for grazing will lose its capacity due to rising temperatures, highlighting significant implications for agriculture and environmental sustainability.
A 2025 climate assessment found the year was the third warmest on record, driven chiefly by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and by exceptionally high sea‑surface temperatures across the oceans, highlighting ongoing anthropogenic warming and implications for climate resilience and sustainability.
Announcement for the launch event of the Climate Refuges initiative in Portugal, scheduled for June 19, 2026.
A UNICEF report reveals that 93% of children are exposed to air pollution and 40% to drought. As a smaller country, Portugal is 'disproportionately' vulnerable to wildfires.
UNICEF reports that approximately 648,000 children in Portugal are currently affected by drought conditions.
Approximately 648,000 children are facing the effects of drought conditions across Portugal.
According to a new UNICEF report, approximately 1.1 billion children are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, including extreme heat, droughts, and tropical storms, which threaten their health, education, and survival. The agency urges governments to reduce emissions and strengthen essential services to protect children from these escalating risks.
Andrew Steer highlights Portugal's significant role and leadership in ocean-related matters.
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that occurs regularly (on average every three to seven years) due to the anomalous warming of a large area of the tropical Pacific.
Climate change is threatening one of the ocean's most charismatic animals, the sea turtle. Sex is determined by the temperature during egg incubation. With global warming, there are regions where only females are being born.
José Pimenta Machado, president of the APA, warns of the consequences of climate change on the Portuguese coast. Also in this news bulletin, Fernando Pimenta wins bronze at the European Canoe Championships.
The letter sent to the leaders responsible for COP31 in November urges Turkey to phase out coal and Australia to end exports of coal and liquefied natural gas.
As El Niño involves the transfer of a huge amount of thermal energy from the ocean to the atmosphere, this phenomenon also has implications for the global climate. By adding to the warming trend caused by fossil fuel emissions, it practically guarantees that 2027 will surpass 2024 as the hottest year ever recorded on the planet.
When one of the world's biggest polluters decides to row in the opposite direction, it is not just compromising its own path. It is compromising the collective effort.
The Paris Agreement, which set a global warming limit of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, will be exceeded in the next four years. 2025 was the third hottest year on record.
It is estimated that between 85% and 90% of the tournament's carbon footprint will result from the travel of participants and fans.
The report also notes that 2025 was the third hottest year on record.
Home News Rising sea levels threaten Portuguese coast Rising sea levels threaten Portuguese coast According to scientific studies published by the newspaper Público, rising sea levels in Portugal have altered the risk of coastal flooding. By Bruno G.
Rising sea levels are accelerating, with Portugal identified as one of the regions facing a significantly increased risk.
Data indicates that May 2026 ranks as the second warmest May ever recorded, with Portugal experiencing unprecedented high temperatures.
Copernicus reveals that last month was marked by rapid climate change: from very cold to one of the most intense heatwaves ever. Also, the President of the Republic speaks today at the June 10th commemorations.
May 2026 was the second hottest on record, both on land and at sea, according to the European climate monitoring programme Copernicus. IPMA updated information regarding the El Niño phenomenon.
The May heatwave in mainland Portugal was the second longest and the second most intense since records began, reveals the climatological bulletin from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). According to the summary of the monthly bulletin, the heatwave that began on May 20th had...
