Environment: Local government news in Portugal

"Despite this tragedy that struck Alcácer do Sal, we feel hope and a desire to help rebuild in every person"

Funchal among the 80 Portuguese municipalities with a Climate Passport

Funchal joins a group of 80 municipalities in Portugal that have adopted the Climate Passport initiative.

JM Madeira26 Oct

Figueira da Foz City Council installs billboards denouncing the inertia of the Portuguese Environment Agency

On Friday, 9 October, the Figueira da Foz City Council launched a campaign denouncing the failure of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the repair of a wall near Teimoso beach. Two large billboards were erected with the message 'Work under the responsibility of the APA - Waiting a year for the APA'. Following storms earlier this year, a wall collapsed near the beach, a site where the council had already identified structural problems in 2024. Councilman Ricardo Silva stated that despite meetings and the APA accepting proposals in June, there has been a lack of action compared to other coastal areas, with promised geotechnical tests still pending as winter approaches. The council intends to clarify to the public that the responsibility for the repairs lies with the APA, not the municipality.

S. Pedro do Sul wants to join wild boar control project

The position is clear: in the selection of territories, the work of those who have already mobilised associations, invested their own resources and implemented concrete measures on the ground must be recognised, the City Council states.

Felling of cork oaks: Quercus denounces Covilhã City Council

Quercus has denounced the felling of 1,400 cork oak trees for the expansion of the Tortosendo Industrial Park in the municipality of Covilhã. The measure is provided for in the Municipal Master Plan (PDM). The local authority defends itself by citing the need to provide industrial land to attract more companies and large-scale investment.

Portugal city betting on sustainable mobility

"Someone help us": 7 months after storm Kristin, residents of Marinha Grande despair for answers from the local council

António Cunha lives with his wife, who suffers from lupus, in a house with significant visible damage caused by storm Kristin. The resident has already asked the Marinha Grande local council for help, but so far, nothing has been done.

Batalha highlights the resilience of the municipality's projects

The mayor praised the unity of the population following “very significant damage” caused by storm Kristin. The mayor stated that there were irreparable losses but that the municipality is not giving up.

Concrete measures are needed for the territory to feel them

Vítor Correia, mayor of Mirandela, agrees with the President regarding the delay in actions. He calls for more measures and urgent support for the recovery from the fire that affected the municipality.

Mayors demand environmental and structural compensation for the Girabolhos dam

New roads, jobs, and 'close coordination between the Central Administration, the APA, and the municipalities covered by the Girabolhos project' are the demands of the mayors.

Tondela City Council estimates 7.5 million euros in damages

The estimate is “very preliminary” and does not include damage that is still hidden—such as slopes and aqueducts—which only the first rains will reveal. Beekeeping is one of the most affected sectors.

Ourém transfers half a million euros to parishes

The Ourém City Council will transfer approximately half a million euros to 14 parishes as extraordinary support to help mitigate damage to equipment following the low-pressure system Kristin.

Forests, heritage and local projects: the concrete cases that municipalities oppose to the renewables map

Municipalities warn of forests, heritage and local projects threatened by the proposed 'green map' for accelerating renewables. Rural and low-density municipalities are among the most alarmed.

We will lose jobs and land: Mayor of Monforte concerned about part of Air Force firing range in the municipality

The Mayor recently met with local farmers who will potentially be affected by the construction of the firing range.

Lisbon shuts down office that planned green spaces and questioned urban planning choices

Workers appealed to Moedas to stop the measure. However, Lisbon City Council states there was an “overlap” of operational and planning functions. The office had contested the cutting down of trees in Lumiar.

Marinha Grande Mayor believes municipalities will only be able to clear land from July onwards

The mayor of Marinha Grande states that local authorities will face delays in clearing vegetation from land until July.

Landslides in Costa da Caparica. Residents report a lack of solutions

Several people remain displaced in Costa da Caparica due to the landslides that occurred two months ago.

One third of municipalities lack climate plans to face increasing risks of storms, heatwaves, and other extreme events

The Ministry of Environment lacks data on local authorities and cites 'local government autonomy' to justify its lack of knowledge. Alcácer do Sal, which was among the municipalities most affected by this winter's storms, is one of the 108 currently in non-compliance.

One third of municipalities still do not comply with the Climate Framework Law

The Municipal Climate Action Map shows that progress in climate action contrasts with worrying delays at the local level.

The President visits the country devastated by storms and forgotten by the central government

We invited Bruno Gomes, Mayor of Ferreira do Zêzere, a municipality particularly devastated by the storms, to this episode.

President's visit to the Leiria region is a "commitment relationship"

Pombal City Council highlights the visit by Seguro to the territories battered by the storms. Communications remain cut off and full restoration is the main demand.

Closure of Vila Real landfill 'increases pressure' on waste system

The Administrative and Fiscal Court of Mirandela has ordered the immediate suspension of additional waste disposal at the Andrães Sanitary Landfill.

Leiria municipality sees Seguro's visit as "a stimulus"

The mayor of Leiria is confident that the Open Presidency will not let the “territory affected by the storms be forgotten”. He describes it as “a stimulus and a port of trust” to overcome difficulties.

Kristin: Leiria municipality strengthens promotion of support measures

The Leiria City Council is creating new financial control and promotion mechanisms in response to Storm Kristin, after the Socialist Party (PS) rejected a similar proposal from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in March.

Marinha Grande Mayor recalls difficulties in responding to public requests during the storms

Third part of 'Investigação CM' from March 23rd on CMTV.

Damages in Alcácer do Sal reach 107 million euros, mostly municipal

The damages caused by the bad weather in Alcácer do Sal have already reached 107 million euros, with the majority, around 80 million, relating to municipal equipment, revealed the deputy mayor, António Grilo, today.

Losses in Alcácer do Sal already reach 107 million euros

Of the total amount, 12.5 million euros in losses have been accounted for so far in commerce and services, while damage to state infrastructure is estimated to be around 10 million euros.

10 a.m. Kristin. Leiria has yet to receive state aid

The Leiria City Council has not yet received state support following the passage of storm Kristin. Miguel Garcia, the “hero of Alkmaar”, praises Sporting's performance.