Report urges Portugal to create dedicated land conservation law

Rewilding Portugal and The Lifescape Project have published a report arguing Portugal lacks a dedicated legal tool to secure long-term conservation commitments on privately owned land, which survives changes of ownership. Existing instruments, like property rights or private protected areas, are either generic or dependent on continued state approval. Drawing on comparisons with five European mechanisms, including English conservation covenants and Scottish conservation burdens, the report recommends Portugal create its own registrable conservation instrument through dedicated legislation. The organisations plan to use the findings to push for legal reform ahead of Portugal's National Restoration Plan, due in September 2026.