EU–Mercosur — equality of rights requires equality of obligations
By placing European and South American producers in the same trading space, the European Union cannot allow a double standard in regulation.
Government provides €110 million for lithium extraction
The government has committed €110 million to support lithium extraction projects despite strong public opposition. Environmental groups describe the funding as a 'blank cheque' paid for by taxpayers, arguing it risks local ecosystems and undermines sustainability claims. The injection of public funds raises wider questions about fiscal priorities, state backing for critical minerals, regulatory oversight and democratic legitimacy amid popular resistance.
ECO Quiz: Will packaging incur an extra cost?
If you are reading this article in an app, open the quiz here. From 10 April 2026 the Deposit and Return System (SDR) comes into force; it aims to promote the circular economy by recovering single‑use beverage packaging in bottles and aluminium or steel cans...
Protection of resources and biodiversity: High Seas Treaty enters into force
The Treaty, negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations, covers more than half the planet and is a historic milestone for the global protection of the oceans and for multilateral cooperation.
New programme to update Alqueva reservoir uses
The Environment Minister announced a Special Programme for the Alqueva and Pedrógão reservoirs (PEAAP) to align water uses and environmental protection with current economic realities. Officials say the PEAAP will balance irrigation, tourism and conservation needs while updating management rules for the reservoirs. Landowners, farmers and local businesses in the Alentejo should watch for consultation stages and regulatory changes that could affect water allocations.
PEAAP is the Special Programme for the Alqueva and Pedrógão Reservoirs, a government planning process to align environmental protection, water management and the different economic uses around those two reservoirs. Its decisions can change local rules on water allocations, irrigation and environmental restrictions, so farmers, water users and residents in the affected areas should follow the process.
Alqueva is a large dam and reservoir on the Guadiana river in the Alentejo region that created one of the biggest artificial lakes in Portugal, supporting irrigation, hydropower and tourism across southern Portugal. Changes to Alqueva’s water management or planning (like through PEAAP) can directly affect agriculture, local water supply and seasonal tourism in the surrounding municipalities.
ANA submits environmental report for new airport
ANA | VINCI Airports has delivered the first environmental report for the planned Luís de Camões Airport to the Portuguese government, meeting the timetable set in the concession contract and moving the long permitting process forward. Multiple outlets say the submission is a formal milestone rather than final approval: further technical reviews and licences remain before construction can start. Those tracking transport projects or property near the proposed site should note the project is advancing but not yet authorised.
ANA is the company that operates and manages most of Portugal’s major airports; its formal name is ANA — Aeroportos de Portugal (Airports of Portugal), and it is run under a long-term concession by VINCI Airports. ANA handles planning, infrastructure and regulatory steps — for example, it delivered the first environmental report in the licensing process for the proposed Luís de Camões Airport, a key procedural milestone for that project.
Luís de Camões Airport is a proposed new airport project in Portugal, named after the national poet, currently going through environmental and licensing assessments. The operator (ANA) submitted the first environmental report as part of the concession timetable in early 2026, so the project is still in the planning and approval stage rather than in construction.
Portugal misses 2025 packaging recycling targets
In 2025 the Portuguese separated 2% more packaging for recycling than in 2024, totalling 486,990 tonnes, but Portugal once again failed to meet packaging recycling targets, announced Sociedade Ponto Verde, the organisation that manages this waste. Glass and ECAL (carton packaging for liquid food) were again the most ...
Portugal fails to meet 2025 packaging recycling targets
People in Portugal separated 2% more packaging for recycling in 2025 than in 2024.
Portugal fell short of European recycling targets despite increased investment
Despite boosting investment in recycling infrastructure and programmes, Portugal did not meet the European recycling targets.
ICNF and GNR investigate deaths of 17 red kites in Almeida
There are suspicions of deliberate poisoning of the species, which is protected and classified in Portugal as Critically Endangered with regard to breeding pairs.
Restoring nature can help prevent wildfires and floods: "It's basic risk management"
Restoring degraded ecosystems can bring estimated economic benefits of €1.8 billion and help mitigate natural disasters, such as rural wildfires and droughts, before they occur.
Where is the real environmental lag occurring?
A question about where the most significant delays in environmental action or progress are actually happening.
More water from Alqueva for agriculture, public water supply and industry
The Government approved a new strategic framework for the management of the Alqueva Multipurpose Project (EFMA), in the Alentejo, which increases the volume of water available for agriculture, public water supply and industry. In a statement released this Thursday, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Sea says that this new framework "increases the volume of water ...
Azores maintain full protection of the Marine Protected Areas Network and avert risk of losing international credibility
After threats of backtracking, the Azorean Parliament on Thursday approved an amendment to a proposal that preserves the integrity of the largest marine protected area in the North Atlantic. An agreement between the Regional Government and the Socialist Party made the outcome possible.
With regard to waste, we are in a state of emergency. Either we change now or we will pay a very high price
A warning that urgent action on waste management is required now, otherwise society will face severe costs and consequences.
Eixo Atlântico 'challenges' municipalities to become more involved in the local agricultural economy
Municipalities should strengthen their role in the 'economic organisation of local [agricultural] production', which in much of the territory is not organised, especially in areas where smallholdings predominate, as is the case in Galicia and northern Portugal. The aim is to ensure food supplies for the population, particularly in a ...
Environment: Over 7,000 offences in 2025 and €60 million in fines
Environment — more than seven thousand environmental offences recorded in 2025, with fines totalling €60 million.
Returning beverage packaging will earn a refund of 10 euro cents from 10 April
The system will include a network of 2,500 automatic collection machines for single‑use beverage containers and more than 8,000 manual collection points distributed across the country.
Half the planet comes under regulation as High Seas Treaty comes into force
The treaty comes into force 120 days after the 60th ratification, which will occur on 17 January.
Socialist Party proposes changes to electric mobility regime to allow old and new systems to coexist
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.
What on earth is fire?
A chronicle of a forest turned upside down, caught between carbon and calamity. Opinion by Pedro Portugal
China criticises EU mechanism to limit imports of polluting products
China has condemned the European Union’s new import-control mechanism targeting polluting products as discriminatory and unfair, and has pledged to take “necessary measures” in response. The move highlights a growing regulatory clash between trade and sustainability goals: while the EU says it seeks to curb pollution embedded in imports, affected exporters view the rules as protectionist. The dispute could prompt diplomatic friction, potential retaliatory actions or legal challenges and create uncertainty for supply chains and companies navigating diverging environmental standards.
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