Latest news and stories about sustainability in government in Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Five months after the launch of the Volta System, the government admits the deposit and refund model faces challenges, including improper waste disposal and disorderly collection behavior. The Minister of Environment stated that authorities are analyzing the situation and seeking case-by-case solutions to improve the system's efficiency.
The government has introduced the National Data Center Plan (Plano Nacional de Centros de Dados or PNDC) to position Portugal as a European hub for digital infrastructure. The strategy aims to simplify complex regulations and address fragmented oversight to attract more investment. While the sector welcomes the guidelines, industry experts warn that the success of the initiative depends on effective execution.
The National Data Centre Plan (Plano Nacional de Centros de Dados or PNDC) is a government strategy introduced in March 2024 to attract investment in digital infrastructure. It establishes guidelines for developing data centers to strengthen Portugal's position as a hub for technology and cloud services in Europe.
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 He replaces Fábio Teixeira, whose appointment was rescinded following public criticism regarding his lack of experience in the energy sector.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.
The Zero Association criticizes Lisbon's Noise Action Plan as ineffective and proposes a 5.7 euro noise tax per passenger to fund building insulation and mitigate aircraft noise impacts on over 370,000 residents.
The Government has received the first environmental report for the proposed new Lisbon airport, submitted by ANA – Airports of Portugal. The Ministry of Infrastructure said the next step is delivery of a technical report by 16 July, which will detail the project’s principal environmental impacts and justify the choice of location within the Campo de Tiro de Alcochete perimeter. The final environmental impact study is expected to be submitted to the Portuguese Environment Agency in the third quarter, marking a new phase in the planning and regulatory review of the airport project.
On International Day of Clean Air, the City Council revealed that Lisbon met the European limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in 2025, something that had not happened since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fórum Cidadania Lx criticises the paving of Ribeira das Naus Avenue in Lisbon
They put money inside the recycling bins and spontaneous order did the rest...
Lisbon City Council approved a protocol with four humanitarian firefighter associations to water trees for six months, from May to October, at 45,000 euros each.
The environmental NGO advocates replicating the model that converted 12 million in debt from Cape Verde to Portugal into climate financing for São Tomé and other Portuguese-speaking countries.
Summers are becoming “increasingly dangerous”. The abandonment of agriculture and climate change are the major obstacles to Portugal's greater resilience against wildfires.
The Minister of Agriculture stated this Thursday, July 2, that the heatwave currently affecting Portugal is unlikely to have a major impact on agriculture, provided it is temporary, and highlighted the need for a European reinsurance system. Minister José Manuel Fernandes noted that the impact on crops depends on the duration of the heat, specifically mentioning that the olive harvest is unlikely to be significantly affected as the olives are already formed. The government has declared an alert status due to high temperatures, prohibiting the use of machinery in agricultural activities until Monday.
It was at the Cais do Sodré river terminal in Lisbon, overlooking the Tagus and the hustle and bustle that sets the city's pace, that decision-makers and public transport experts gathered. The conference 'Public Transport: A Decade Later – What Has Changed?', organised by ECO with the support of Transtejo/Soflusa, set out to evaluate 11...
The mayor of the German city of Tübingen turned takeaway waste into a political test of ecology, commerce, and the limits of local power. Boris Palmer came to Lisbon to share the experience.
Maria da Graça Carvalho, Minister of Environment, stated that restoring nature can create job opportunities, generate wealth and well-being, and support the fight against climate change.
The Minister of Environment promises a decree-law that will “protect the Iberian wolf even more,” in response to criticism regarding changes to the PEPAC.
Lisbon municipalities advocate for the creation of a public Metropolitan Waste Management System, with integrated governance to ensure greater efficiency.
Extreme heat will continue in Europe until 2030. The World Meteorological Organization report predicts record temperatures by the end of the decade.
Residents will have to choose between new housing 3km away or financial compensation. The 222 million euro project is once again stalled following a challenge from environmental associations.
The gathering at Campo Pequeno brought together dozens of people, concluding a week that included protest actions, a supermarket raid, and the painting of murals.
The 'Lisbon Manifesto for Sustainable Health' is presented this Wednesday. Aligned with the UN's 2030 Agenda, the document covers social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
Supporters of the climate justice collective paralysed traffic for 30 minutes this morning in Lisbon, demanding accountability for the devastation caused by the “train of storms”.
The Intermunicipal Community of the West (CIM OESTE) has been selected as the guest region for the upcoming 2026 edition of the Portugal Smart Cities Summit.
Katarina Gardfeldt, Director-General of the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, discusses the geopolitical importance of the Arctic, the need for new icebreaker infrastructure, and the interconnected nature of the triple planetary crisis: climate change, ecosystem shifts, and pollution.
The official presentation of the updated national energy strategy is scheduled to take place in Lisbon next week.
The meeting follows the Open Presidency in the central regions affected by storms and floods. Experts in the fields of energy, telecommunications, agriculture, forestry, wildfires, infrastructure, climate, and sustainability were present at the Belém Palace.
The strategic document places the financial sustainability of the country's largest public cultural centre among the priorities for the new cycle.
The Government has paid €3.3 million to 431 farmers affected by bad weather as part of a support scheme providing up to €10,000 for municipalities in a state of calamity, Minister of Agriculture José Manuel Fernandes announced on Wednesday, April 15, in Lisbon. The minister noted that priority was given to the most affected areas and urged farmers to submit applications for the restoration of productive potential before the April 30 deadline. While agricultural losses are estimated at around €500 million, the minister clarified that additional EU support is expected to be limited.
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, stated that while Portugal is not immune to global price fluctuations, it is well-protected against supply shortages due to its high reliance on renewable energy and diversified gas import sources. The minister noted that over 80% of Portugal's electricity is renewable, shielding it from gas-driven price volatility, and highlighted the country's robust port infrastructure for natural gas compared to other European nations. The government is currently awaiting a European Union decision regarding potential taxes on the extraordinary profits of energy companies.
A network of 72 European Climate Pact ambassadors brings together diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. The national meeting includes the official launch of the book 'A World without Politicians' by Pedro Macedo.
The second tunnel of Lisbon's General Drainage Plan (PGDL), connecting Chelas and Beato, is expected to be completed in 2029, Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas announced on Wednesday. The project, which aims to mitigate flooding in the capital, has faced multiple delays since its inception. While the first tunnel from Monsanto to Santa Apolónia is currently under construction, the overall plan includes various retention basins and infrastructure upgrades. Moedas highlighted the importance of the project for the city's future resilience and noted that the work is supported by European Union funding.
The PGDL, he stressed, is “an example” of cohesion policy, “fundamental to reducing disparities”.
