Latest news and stories about regulation in environment in Portugal for expats and residents.
Strengthening environmental protection has long ceased to be a mere future problem and has become a present necessity. But, in 2026, what does this exactly mean? What are considered environmental crimes? Has Artificial Intelligence (AI) helped in the fight against this type of crime or made the situation worse? As researchers, neither...
“Endangerment Finding” is how Jane Kirkby, a partner at Antas da Cunha Ecija, translates the term. This legal instrument serves as the basis for much of the United States' climate regulation, but the administration led by Donald Trump announced last February that it would revoke it. This decision by the United States joins...
Miguel Henriques has been appointed coordinator of the Mission Structure for the Licensing of Renewable Energy Projects.
Miguel Ribeiro Henriques has been named the new coordinator of the mission structure for renewable energy projects (Estrutura de Missão para o Licenciamento de Projetos de Energias Renováveis 2030 or EMER 2030). He replaces Fábio Teixeira, whose appointment was rescinded following public criticism regarding his lack of experience in the energy sector. The agency is responsible for accelerating the licensing of green energy initiatives through 2030.
Citizens petitioned for a ban, but Animal Welfare Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi is poised to opt for tougher standards, per a draft seen by POLITICO.
Work on the secondary network of fuel management strips can take place until 31 May in mainland municipalities, with the exception of those covered by a declaration of calamity.
The environmental association argues that the revision of the Single-Use Plastics Directive must strengthen prevention and reuse, warning of the risks of regression and permissive interpretations.
The Government has extended the deadline for land clearing in municipalities under a state of calamity to 30 June, as part of fuel management in the secondary network, while setting 31 May as the deadline for other municipalities. This decision follows a winter of intense rainfall and the impact of the storm Kristin, which hindered agricultural and forestry work. Owners with land within 50 metres of buildings or economic activities must manage fuel in a 50-metre strip in forest areas or a 10-metre strip in agricultural areas. Failure to comply after these deadlines may result in inspections and fines. An additional 22 municipalities have joined the 68 already covered by the state of calamity declaration.
Damit sollen starke Preisschwankungen bei CO2-Zertifikaten begrenzt werden.
Measures to contain energy bill increases must be temporary and targeted at the most vulnerable. Most European countries do not want to relax electricity and carbon market rules.
The European Commission has announced it will invest in nuclear energy to combat the energy crisis affecting the entire world due to the conflict in Iran. João Cruz, who holds a PhD in nuclear physics, explains that “nuclear power plants are very safe,” as they are “a highly regulated industry.”
This is the second time the construction of this large-scale solar plant in the Alqueva region has been rejected, even after the project was reformulated to try and meet environmental requirements. The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) had already issued a negative opinion in 2024.
Energy ministers met in Brussels to analyse ways to respond to increases in the sector, especially if prices continue to rise in the coming days. Maria da Graça Carvalho says the goal is to coordinate the reaction at a European level without altering the path already defined for decarbonisation and without changing market rules.
Pedro Amaral Jorge, former president of the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association (APREN) for eight years, has been appointed to lead the central institutions of the Iberian Electricity Market (MIBEL), assuming the presidency of the Iberian Market Operator (OMIP and OMIE). The appointment was approved by the governments of Portugal and Spain following his election by the market's shareholders. Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, praised the move as a key step for the European electricity market. APREN confirmed his departure, noting that the association's leadership will be managed by its board until a successor is named.
The study was conducted by the ToxFree LIFE for All project, which received a grant of approximately two million euros from the European Union. The companies targeted by the study are questioning the methodology used.
The statements come at a time when energy prices (gas and electricity) are rising within the European community.
The Constitutional Court faces internal conflict as recent rulings validate CESE charges for natural gas companies, directly contradicting a previous plenary decision that deemed the tax unconstitutional.
Portuguese national Ana Teresa Moutinho leads the Oversight department at the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) in Frankfurt. Speaking from the super-regulator's building, locally known as 'Das Gerippte' for its resemblance to a cider bottle, she gave an interview to ECO/ECOSeguros in which she called for urgency.
The transition to a green economy in Portugal involves updating fiscal, regulatory and financial instruments to integrate environmental objectives into the economy. This framework aligns with the Green Taxation principles established in 2014. National economic analyses indicate that climate risks significantly impact macroeconomic variables, including productivity in agriculture, tourism, energy and infrastructure, as well as public finances. Integrating these risks into projections helps assess the impact of droughts, floods and wildfires. Furthermore, green budgeting practices and the use of climate scenarios enhance the accuracy of financial estimates regarding GDP and inflation. In terms of risk management, the text highlights the importance of financial mechanisms such as a loss and damage fund and catastrophe bonds to manage climate-related volatility. The insurance sector also faces challenges, with public-private partnerships emerging as a solution to maintain coverage in high-risk areas. Ultimately, aligning economic reform with climate risk planning is essential for Portugal's resilience and competitiveness, despite the distractions of global conflicts.
The energy transition is a critical issue that must be prioritized in economic, industrial, and climate policy discussions. It is essential for sustainable development and addressing climate change.
The Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) has mandated that electricity and gas suppliers must allow affected customers to split their bills into manageable payments. This decision follows a consultation process and aims to alleviate financial pressure on those impacted by Storm Kristin. Suppliers are required to issue a credit note before sending a second bill to customers who opt for this payment plan.
Right of reply from the Minister of Agriculture to PÚBLICO’s 23–24 January coverage, addressed to the ICNF. The minister argues that regulatory or legal obstacles that block project approvals should be tackled by changing the law rather than abandoning projects, stressing that governing cannot be synonymous with mere execution. The reply frames the issue as one of policy and regulatory design — balancing property rights, environmental protection and development — and calls for clearer, reform-minded legal solutions to streamline approvals while respecting conservation responsibilities.
The Socialist Party (PS) has asked that Agriculture Minister José Manuel Fernandes be summoned to the Assembly of the Republic after a video surfaced in which he appears to urge environmental authorities to 'not comply with the law'. PS says the comments constitute 'illegitimate pressure' on environmental bodies, reflect a dangerous government denialist stance and raise concerns that legislative or regulatory changes might be pursued to legitimise contested projects.
The Socialist Party (PS) parliamentary group will table an amendment this Wednesday to allow the previous and new electric mobility regimes — the latter published in August — to operate in parallel. Socialist deputy Pedro (quoted) says the proposal lets 'whoever wants to remain with the previous model stay' and those who prefer the new framework move to it, effectively offering regulated choice rather than a forced transition. Analytically, the move aims to protect operators and consumers from disruptive change and preserve investment and service continuity, but it also risks prolonging regulatory complexity and creating uncertainty for long-term EV policy and market signalling.
