Sea level rise is coming
IPMA's president warns Portugal faces more frequent extreme weather and an inevitable rise in sea levels affecting estuaries and coasts. The biggest change, he says, is the speed at which it is now happening.
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Pulse
28 June 2026
A calm look at sustainable Portugal today, from coastal seas and lynx habitats to school gardens, water-saving projects and the everyday choices that add up.
Bringing back the Iberian lynx
EDIA hosted a free webinar on the cross-border PRO-IBERLINX project, which works on lynx conservation and reintroduction across 623,000 hectares of Natura 2000 sites in Portugal and Spain.
A blessed sea, through a photographer's eyes
Award-winning photographer Luis Quinta shares his lifelong bond with the Luiz Saldanha Marine Park, recalling his first dive off Sesimbra in 1978. Images and memories celebrate this protected stretch of coast.
Wild herbs of the Alentejo at risk
Wild aromatic and edible herbs once central to Alentejo cooking are growing scarce amid climate change, fires and pesticides. Some species are now cultivated, but the tradition of foraging them freely is fading.
Evora's aqueduct waters the city
The LIFE Agua da Prata project will use spring water carried by the historic aqueduct to irrigate green spaces instead of treated drinking water, saving an estimated 120,000 cubic metres a year.
540 new trees for Evora
Evora planted 540 trees this season, replacing lost ones in the Historic Centre and creating new green areas beyond the walls, as part of its climate and livability efforts.
Pombal maps its climate plan
Pombal presented its Municipal Climate Action Plan, aiming to make the municipality more resilient, efficient and sustainable. It was unveiled at a public session.
Door-to-door collection reaches Chancelaria
Alter do Chao extended its door-to-door waste collection to Chancelaria after a pilot in Cunheira, covering organics, recyclables and glass. Early results show less unsorted waste and more selective collection.
Benfica's basil for Santo Antonio
Florinda Madalena, 62, grows hundreds of basil plants for Lisbon's festivities, watering and even talking to each one. She hopes the city will keep some form of urban garden on the plot she tends.
Ria Formosa litter becomes art
Schoolchildren in Olhao turned beach litter into public art panels under the LIXArte project, now displayed near the island ferries. The initiative links clean-ups with creativity to highlight marine pollution.
A summer library brings neighbours together
The new community library 'A Sombra do Jacaranda' opened in Quinta da Capela, Lisbon, aiming to nurture reading and a sense of community among neighbours who often live side by side without knowing each other.
Record green flags for Vila Verde schools
Vila Verde awarded a record 34 schools and kindergartens its 'Escola + Verde' flag for environmental education work, with one school recognised for collecting the most plastic caps.
Trees for World Environment Day in Coimbra
The Academic Association of Coimbra is planting five trees in its gardens to mark World Environment Day and raise ecological awareness in the academic community.
Young volunteers watch over Soure's forests
Four young people in Soure are conducting mobile surveillance and sharing fire-prevention leaflets under a youth volunteering programme for nature and forests.
Peniche debates the future of food
Around 270 participants met in Peniche for a symposium on sustainable food, covering circular economy, climate adaptation and AI. A new degree in Sustainable Food Systems was announced for 2026/2027.
Lufthansa to trial a Porto-designed electric vehicle
Lufthansa and Porto's CEiiA will deploy BEN electric vehicles for ground handling at Porto and Lisbon airports by 2027, cutting emissions and linking the savings to social impact projects.
Startup Braga's Demo Day for city challenges
Startup Braga held its 10th Demo Day, showcasing startups in sustainability, smart cities and future construction, supported by over 60 mentors and panels on innovation and investment.
The invisible balance sheet of farming
An opinion piece argues that soil, water and biodiversity should count as strategic assets. A French pilot found regenerative farms lost far less productivity in droughts than conventional ones.
Cyclists hand cycling proposals to the minister
Riders in the COP31 Bike Ride gave Portugal's Environment Minister ten proposals for urban cycling, from continuous bike networks to safer parking. The European relay launched in Oeiras on its way to Turkey.
Bigger cars, bigger costs
A T&E study warns that ever-larger cars could add 36 billion euros to charging bills by 2040 and squeeze city parking. ZERO calls for size limits and tax reform to discourage oversized vehicles.
Which shopping bag is greenest?
A DECO PROTESTE study found cotton bags need 101 uses and paper bags nine to beat single-use plastic, while polypropylene needs just three or four. The real key is reusing whatever bag you choose.
A toxic cocktail in recycled plastic
Researchers found recycled polyethylene pellets can release over 80 chemicals into water, including pesticides and pharmaceuticals, with toxic effects on zebrafish larvae. The unpredictability of additives raises concerns about current recycling.
Gulbenkian funds eight environmental NGOs
The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is sharing 350,000 euros among eight Portuguese environmental NGOs working on ecological restoration, plus a capacity-building programme in management and communications.
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