ZERO says coastal plan ignores river-basin sediment loss

Environmental association ZERO has analysed the Programa de Ação para a Resiliência do Litoral 2040, a €1.422 billion plan approved in July, and found it contains no measures upstream in river basins to restore sediment transport to the coast, despite acknowledging this is needed. Only €2.27 million (0.16% of the budget) goes to river-basin studies, while artificial beach nourishment accounts for €346 million. ZERO also criticises the plan's approval without public consultation, its silence on shared basins with Spain, and notes that around 82% of investment creates recurring maintenance obligations without a guaranteed multiannual funding line.