A renewed plan for nature
The government has approved a revised National Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, aligning it with global and EU frameworks around conservation, restoration and sustainable land use.
See today's Pulse →
Pulse
18 June 2026
Good morning. Today brings a strong forestry and fire-prevention thread, fresh national strategies for nature and education, and small wins from cork oaks to laundries doing things differently.
In praise of the cork oak
A gentle celebration of the sobreiro, Portugal's national tree since 2011, and its ecological role across the Alentejo and Algarve.
Guardians of the giant trees
The Gigantes Verdes project aims to train hundreds of volunteer ambassadors to map and monitor Portugal's largest trees, building a base for future protection.
Students recording Algarve flora
Albufeira's school flora-monitoring project wrapped up another year, with students logging native and invasive plants and adding thousands of observations to iNaturalist.
Floresta Ativa returns
The government is about to relaunch the Floresta Ativa programme, offering landowners 650 euros per hectare for forest clearing and management, now extended to eucalyptus.
More detail on Floresta Ativa
The four-million-euro scheme covers around 6,300 hectares with simplified applications via the ICNF platform, as the Secretary of State confirms its imminent return.
Summer clearing under new rules
A new ICNF platform lets companies remove woody material from land during summer with municipal authorisation, while landowners face a June 30 deadline near homes.
Pastures against desertification
ZERO argues pastures should be central to fighting desertification, warning of fragmented policy and the loss of permanent pasture to solar installations.
New shepherds left out
The northern farmers' association voiced disappointment that a support scheme for new livestock producers ran out within minutes, excluding many small shepherds.
Healing old mining scars
Portugal is investing 9.2 million euros to recover the former Aljustrel and Lousal mining sites, with more remediation projects in preparation.
Aljustrel mine expands
Over 400 million euros in investment boosts the Aljustrel mine's copper and zinc processing and adds a solar self-consumption unit, with calls for faster licensing.
Public consultation on Barroso road
The environmental assessment of a road linked to the contested Barroso lithium mine is open for consultation until 17 July, with two possible routes.
Studying Alentejo's water
Alentejo 2030 has opened funding for monitoring and studies on water management, aiming to improve knowledge of availability under climate change.
Valongo seeks landfill checks
After a fire at the Recivalongo landfill in Sobrado, the council asked the environment agency to assess soil, groundwater and air-quality risks.
Urgent inspection requested
Valongo also formally requested an APA technical inspection of the same landfill, noting its operating licence expires in December 2026.
Coordinating waste south of the Douro
Gaia has proposed a metropolitan body to coordinate waste management south of the Douro, as the country prepares a national urban-waste strategy.
Lipor back in profit
The Greater Porto waste association returned to profit in 2025 and edged towards its 2030 recycling targets, reaching a 36% reuse-and-recycling rate.
Brewing with less carbon
The Vialonga brewery invested 33.5 million euros in a high-temperature heat pump that recovers waste heat, expecting to halve thermal-energy CO2 emissions.
Lower-carbon cement at Sines
Cimpor reactivated its Sines grinding centre to produce slag used in lower-carbon cements, a step in its decarbonisation strategy.
A 'Green Map' for renewables
The government opened a public consultation on a planning tool to identify preferred locations for renewable energy projects and streamline licensing.
Help for zero-emission vehicles
The Fundo Ambiental opened a 10-million-euro incentive for electric cars, e-bikes and cargo bikes, processed in order of submission until funds run out.
Fruta Feia wins recognition
The cooperative Fruta Feia won a Fundação Moeve award for fighting food waste by connecting producers and consumers beyond cosmetic standards.
Smart scales against waste
Vila Galé launched a pilot using AI-equipped smart scales to automatically measure food waste across its hotel kitchens.
Pingo Doce's Cultivar programme
Pingo Doce launched a programme for national producers focused on sustainable practices, biodiversity and climate adaptation across the supply chain.
Rethinking agri-food in Peniche
Around 270 specialists gathered in Peniche to discuss circular economy, by-product valorisation and climate adaptation in food systems.
Room for more avocados?
A podcast episode explores the state and growth potential of avocado growing in Portugal, its water needs and internationally recognised quality.
High demand for farm support
Fundo Ambiental schemes worth 22.5 million euros saw rapid uptake for livestock, scrubland conversion and energy efficiency, with some funds still open.
A greener laundry first
OM WASH in Olhao became Portugal's first laundry certified to ISO 14001, recognising years of work optimising water, energy and waste.
Funchal's 25th Blue Flag
The Clube Naval do Funchal raised its 25th consecutive Blue Flag, opening the bathing season and celebrating sustained water quality.
Cycling between campuses
The University of Algarve and Faro are testing bike and bus links between the Penha and Gambelas campuses to improve sustainable mobility.
Mobility visit in Faro
A technical visit on 18 June assessed cycling and bus options between the two Faro campuses, part of ongoing university-municipality cooperation.
Talking cultural tourism
Faro's Handsome Festival hosts talks on cultural and creative tourism, exploring territory sustainability and local identity.
Connecting farmers and services
Agrodiscover is a free Portuguese platform linking farmers and landowners with over 160 agricultural service providers nationwide.
GoParity moves into equity
The sustainable crowdfunding platform GoParity is expanding into equity investments, taking stakes in startup rounds of 300,000 to a million euros.
Support for home renovations
An overview of Portugal's renovation incentives and tax benefits, mostly tied to energy efficiency, accessibility and urban rehabilitation rather than aesthetics.
Environmental education halfway there
ZERO welcomed improvements in the proposed Environmental Education Strategy 2030 but warned it lacks measurable indicators, targets and financing.
Structural gaps flagged
ZERO again pointed to structural and operational shortcomings in ENEA 2030, urging binding financial and operational commitments before it is finalised.
Strategy risks staying intentions
ZERO cautioned that without indicators, timelines and monitoring, the education strategy could become a set of unenforceable intentions.
Turtle dove hunting authorised
ICNF authorised limited turtle dove hunting on two August mornings with a 15,000-bird quota, despite the species being classed as Near Threatened.
Tourism exposed to energy shocks
KPMG warns Portugal is among the countries most vulnerable to aviation-fuel disruption from instability around the Strait of Hormuz, threatening tourism revenue.
Should we stop eating fish?
A reflection on the environmental impact of fishing asks whether Portuguese fisheries are as harmful as global ones, and what consumers can do.
Recent
- A warm welcome to today's Pulse: from newly discovered moths in the Algarve to coastal resilience plans and a country working through its water and wildfire challenges. Let's take a calm look at sustainable Portugal today.
- Hello and welcome to today's Pulse. Water runs through many of today's stories, alongside encouraging news for wildlife, renewables and local flavours.
- Hello and welcome to today's Pulse. From wildfire lessons and water worries to bird-rich landscapes and small local wonders, here is a calm look at sustainable Portugal today.
- Hello and welcome to today's Pulse. Wildfires in the centre remind us how fragile the land can be, but there is also fresh innovation, water solutions and community celebration to lift the day.
- A calm Saturday overview of sustainable Portugal, from restored storks and nature plans to water debates and greener ways to move around.
- Good morning! Today water is very much on our minds - from the Almada shortages to reuse and desalination in the Algarve - but there's also plenty of good news for nature, coasts and local life.
- A calm midsummer look at Portugal's sustainable pulse, where water and heat dominate the conversation, but small acts of care for nature and community keep shining through.
- A calm midsummer look at sustainable Portugal, from ocean biodiversity and small carnivores to energy rules, water worries near Lisbon, and a few uplifting community ideas.
- Good morning! Today's Pulse carries the weight of summer heat, from water use to food waste, alongside quiet good news for rivers, soil and renewable energy.
- Happy Monday! Today's Pulse ranges from wild valleys and electric trains to water worries and the quiet art of telling one olive oil from another.