Living alongside the lynx
The LPN says human-wildlife coexistence should sit at the heart of Portugal's Iberian lynx plan for 2026-2030, with attention to community impacts and clearer funding.
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Seven days of the Pulse, curated into one weekly read.
24 June 2026
Good morning! Today's Pulse flows from lynx and water purity to greener summers along the coast, with plenty of small wonders worth a closer look.
Invasive algae trouble the Azores
An invasive algae continues to disrupt fishing in Lagoa, and the Azores government admits there is no immediate solution given the archipelago's many port areas.
A new Douro crossing for people and bikes
Porto and Gaia plan a €25 million pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Douro by 2029, aiming to ease car traffic and tourist pressure on the Luiz I bridge.
Vilamoura readies for summer
Loulé is coordinating waste, safety and noise measures for the tourist season in Vilamoura, including more cameras and extended waste collection.
Lisbon's water patio returns
EPAL's 'Pátio da Água' is back on Avenida da Liberdade with a focus on inclusion, hosting young adults with intellectual disabilities and a summer of cultural events.
Using water wisely in the heat
Águas do Ribatejo urges restraint as summer use can more than double, warning that high demand strains supply, including for fighting wildfires.
Portugal's bottled waters come up clean
A pioneering study found no organic contaminants in Portuguese natural mineral and spring waters, testing for PFAS and other emerging substances for the first time.
Gold-quality beaches in Albufeira
Quercus named 19 Albufeira beaches 'Gold Quality 2026', tying for first nationally, with 434 beaches distinguished across the country this year.
Simpler rules for renewable self-consumption
A new law creates dedicated energy-use contracts and streamlines permits for self-consumption, with a 90-day decision deadline and a free price comparison tool.
Smarter returns at airports
Volta is designing solutions for packaging returns at airports and expanding its network with voluntary collection points and municipal kiosks.
Fishing nets become fabric
Luságua collected 8.5 tonnes of fishing nets in the Algarve to feed new textile fibres, part of a Blue Bioeconomy project turning waste into value.
Industrial waste that cleans water
University of Aveiro researchers turned aluminium-production red mud into a 3D-printed material that removed over 90% of an antibiotic from water under UV light.
Young heroes for recycling oils
The 'Heróis do Ambiente' programme aims to reach 35,000 students next year, teaching used cooking oil recycling and changing household habits through children.
Master's in rural land management
The University of Algarve presents its new Master's in Sustainable Management of Rural Spaces in São Brás de Alportel, blending distance learning with fieldwork.
Plant-based herbicides under study
CEBAL hosts a webinar on 26 June about bioherbicides from invasive plants and native thyme as sustainable alternatives to synthetic products.
Rural innovation on TV
AJAP's Rural Innovation Challenges featured on RTP2, encouraging young people to develop solutions for rural challenges and boost participation.
€20M for Algarve water systems
Algarve2030 opened a €20 million call for water efficiency, supply and sanitation, tackling losses and drought vulnerability with 60% co-financing.
€10.6M left for cycling in the Algarve
Algarve 2030 still has €10.6 million available for cycling infrastructure to support active mobility, with applications open until September 2026.
Contested biomethane plant in Torres Novas
Gás da Terra defends its planned Árgea biomethane unit amid resident and council opposition over odours and traffic, with public consultation closing 25 June.
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A short read every morning — what's happening across sustainable Portugal.
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