EUROPE + GREEN – Climate Transition and Resource Sustainability

Decarbonization options include not only renewable hydrogen, but also other renewable gases and other renewable and sustainable alternative fuels. Energy-related renovation work on existing buildings throughout the nation and the decarbonization of energy consumption, namely through promoting the use of electricity, is seen as a fundamental measure for the fulfillment of national energy and climate goals.

The target for the share of renewable energy by 2030 implies the massive implementation of new energy production capacity from renewable sources, such as offshore wind energy, energy production through concentrating solar power and geothermal energy, and ocean energy production. As regards mobility and transport, Portugal has been shifting its policies toward achieving a 40% reduction in emissions, compared to 2005, and the incorporation of a 20% share of renewable energy, contributing significantly to reducing energy consumption. The fulfillment of this objective is based on continuous investment in transportation infrastructures aimed at strengthening sustainable multimodal mobility in functional urban areas, modernization and reinforcement of the associated rolling stock, as well as actions that promote the use of collective, active and "soft" forms of transportation.

When it comes to the circular economy, waste management remains a challenge in Portugal. In the Commission's early warning report (2018), Portugal was identified as one of the countries at risk of not reaching the EU target of recycling 50% of its municipal waste by 2020. In fact, in 2020 Portugal still had low values of preparation for reuse and recycling (39%), and as a result of the recent change in the methodology for calculating the indicator, the rate of preparation for reuse and recycling now has an even lower value (18%). Capital investment needs for the country as a whole to reach the EU recycling targets are estimated at €994 M for the period 2021-35.

As regards climate change adaptation, risk prevention, and disaster resilience, Portugal has identified three main objectives: (i) Improve the level of knowledge about climate change, (ii) implement adaptation measures, and (iii) promote adaptation in sectoral policies. The vulnerabilities of the territory to coastal erosion, floods, droughts and rural fires continue to be recurring challenges in Portugal that are worsened by climate change. This reality requires policies in line with the protection of the coast, the management of water resources, adaptation to climate change, combating desertification, and preventing and fighting rural fires.

With regard to the protection and conservation of nature and biodiversity, the Portugal 2030 Strategy is aligned with European and national policies to improve the Fundamental Network for Nature Conservation, which corresponds to around 30% of mainland Portugal, and also integrates ecological connectivity corridors between the areas comprising this network, both for local integration and to enhance the regional ecological structure. 

As it concerns the maritime economy, the strategy aims to reconcile the three aspects of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental. This requires management of fishing activity in line with ecosystem-based approaches, mitigating the degradation of the marine environment. The challenge facing Portugal, given the aging of the fleet and the inherent high energy consumption and GHG emissions, is to modernize 25% of the active fishing fleet and promote the sector's resilience with a view to reducing imports of fish and increasing exports and ensuring food security.