Portugal's biggest bat shelter found at Alqueva
An old water mine near Alqueva holds a colony of over 10,000 greater mouse-eared bats, the most important national shelter for the species. These bats help control agricultural pests naturally.
See today's Pulse →
Seven days of the Pulse, curated into one weekly read.
2 July 2026
Happy July! Today's Pulse brings good news for wildlife, cleaner energy milestones, and plenty of community-scale steps toward a more sustainable Portugal.
Rare snails brought back on the Desertas
The Help Desertas Snails project recovered four endemic snail species once thought extinct, through captive breeding and reintroduction. The piece also reflects on balancing grazing with conservation in Madeira's hills.
Gull chicks arrive at Santo André rescue centre
Spring and summer bring a rise in young yellow-legged gulls to the CRASSA centre, which is currently caring for 10 juveniles until they can return to the wild.
Portugal ranks second in EU for renewable electricity
Eurostat data shows 82.9% of Portugal's electricity came from renewables in early 2026, second only to Denmark, driven largely by hydropower.
Renova invests 11M in decarbonisation
A new biomass plant at Renova's Torres Novas factory replaces natural gas for thermal energy, cutting scope 1 and 2 emissions to less than half of 2020 levels.
One million euros for smart water in Alentejo
The Alentejo 2030 programme opened a call to fund sustainable water management and monitoring projects, helping the region face scarcity and climate change.
Water efficiency conference in Sousel
Águas do Alto Alentejo hosts its annual conference on water efficiency and circular economy, including a case study on biomethane production.
Cantanhede secures EU funds for waste
The municipal company Inova won 1.25 million euros in EU funds for water and waste projects, including an electric vehicle to collect biowaste.
Ponto Verde spotlights recycling innovation
Marking 30 years, Sociedade Ponto Verde launched a 12-episode webseries on packaging recycling innovation, from AI sorting to smart bins.
Portimão begins 28 affordable homes
Construction has started on 28 supported-rent homes in Bairro do Pontal, funded by the PRR, including a community centre to expand affordable housing.
Ten Blue Flags for Loulé beaches
Loulé raised the Blue Flag on ten beaches and kept the Accessible Beach award in eight areas, recognising environmental quality and safety.
Cities join Inova Juntos network
AMAL and four municipalities formalised the Inova Juntos Portugal network to share innovative practices in climate action, mobility and urban sustainability.
Torres Novas rejects biomethane site
The municipal assembly unanimously opposed the chosen Árgea location for a biomethane plant, citing water, traffic and quality-of-life concerns, while backing biomethane in principle.
Quercus challenges Curral das Freiras cable car
Quercus-Madeira filed an administrative challenge against the cable car project, arguing the risk to the protected Madeira petrel was not ruled out.
Voluntary carbon market to add forest projects
The Portuguese voluntary carbon market is set to expand to reforestation and improved forest management, with blue carbon and nature credits also in view.
Matosinhos refinery site eyed for new district
A PwC study sees the former refinery land in Leça da Palmeira as a major urban regeneration opportunity for a district of 19,000 residents and 30,000 students.
Beyond the perfect carrot
An essay questions our obsession with the looks of fruit and veg, arguing that taste, origin and fairness to farmers should matter more than visual perfection.
Training pack for young farmers
AGROBIO launched its 2026 training pack in organic and sustainable farming, with e-learning options open until mid-July.
The Pulse in your inbox
A short read every morning — what's happening across sustainable Portugal.
Recent
- Good morning. Today brings volcanic bubbles off the Azores, a rare seabird's first flight over Madeira and a handful of good things close to home.
- Good morning. Today brings meteorites for Azorean classrooms, the long journey of Algarve carob, river walks and harvest fairs, and a few matters that deserve a closer look.
- Good morning. From wetlands and pollinators to a record-breaking pumpkin, here is a calm look at what sustainable Portugal has been up to this week.
- Good morning. Today brings returning wildlife, rivers getting some care, new ways to move around, and plenty of small, hopeful gatherings across the country.
- Good morning. Today brings wolves revealed by a single tooth, swifts finding new allies, and plenty of quiet progress from farms, towns and coastlines around the country.
- Good morning. Today the edition runs from an invasive seaweed spreading along our coasts to a €1.5 million fund for Madeira's old stone walls, with plenty of small, local good news waiting at the end.
- Good morning. Today Portugal is mapping its water, its coastlines and its forests — and, in a good handful of towns, tying little labels to trees to say thank you.
- Good morning. Today Portugal is treading grapes barefoot in the Douro and arguing over what a protected landscape is worth — with rivers, bottles and a few very good apples in between.
- Good morning. Today's edition travels from a Braga gallery reopening its doors to potato juice becoming chemistry, with forests, fisheries and fairs in between.
- Good morning. Today the country moves on two wheels and by seed: cycle routes, mobility plans and a seed bank keeping 40,000 varieties safe, with a heat warning to keep an eye on.