ZERO warns transport sector threatens Portugal's 2030 climate goals

Portugal's official 2024 greenhouse gas inventory, published by the Climate Agency, shows emissions fell 3% from 2023 and 40% below 2005 levels, reaching 51.5 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent. Environmental group ZERO says the drop relies heavily on favourable hydrological conditions rather than structural change, especially in transport, which accounts for 35.2% of national emissions. Road fuel consumption, having briefly stabilised, has started rising again in 2025. To meet the 2030 target of a 55% cut versus 2005, Portugal must reduce emissions by a further 12.8 million tonnes, requiring annual cuts far steeper than achieved over the past decade.