Birds against the heat
Species like lesser kestrels, storks and black vultures use shade and cooling tricks to survive heatwaves, but experts warn these natural adaptations have limits.
Pulse
4 July 2026
Happy Saturday! Today's Pulse flows from rivers and coastlines to fields, farms and clever ideas keeping Portugal sustainable through a hot summer.
Wild plants that protect vineyards
A study at Herdade do Esporão shows Mediterranean plants like tamarisk and mastic attract natural pest predators, helping vineyards cut back on pesticides.
€1.6M for nature conservation in the Alentejo
Alentejo 2030 opened a €1.6 million call to support biodiversity projects in the region's Natura 2000 sites, open until May 2027.
A lasting sorrow over lost heritage
Ecologist Helena Freitas reflects on how the way Portugal organises its territory fuels recurring wildfires and the steady loss of natural heritage.
Almada runs dry in the heatwave
Residents of Almada and Costa da Caparica faced water cuts as soaring demand outstripped local boreholes; the utility activated an extra source but gave no clear timeline.
Water cuts without warning
In Almada, unannounced cuts hit homes and restaurants, with SMAS blaming heat and seasonal population while it rotates supply and prepares new boreholes.
Cleaning up the Riguinha stream
Porto, Matosinhos and APDL will invest €8.9 million by 2028 to extend the Riguinha stream's discharge channel and reduce pollution affecting nearby beaches.
Rebuilding Leiria's storm-hit beaches
After January and February storms, a protocol will requalify the Pedrógão, Vieira and São Pedro de Moel seafronts, strengthening coastal resilience while keeping local traditions.
A river descent for the Mondego
The Coimbra Polytechnic gathered 51 people to clean the Mondego's banks, mixing exercise, environmental awareness and community spirit.
Mondego defences help, but less than hoped
Coimbra University researchers found existing Mondego infrastructure has curbed flooding but underperformed, urging reforestation and, eventually, a new dam.
Call for a new Mondego dam
After analysing February's floods, a University of Coimbra working group argues a new dam is needed to better protect Coimbra and the Baixo Mondego.
Portugal's first water efficiency credits
Águas do Alto Alentejo is pioneering water credits tied to efficiency, having cut non-revenue water by 18% since 2022 through infrastructure modernisation.
Matosinhos hunts for water leaks
The council launched a three-year tender to find leaks in municipal buildings and schools, aiming to cut waste and costs.
Guimarães prepares its first river beach
Guimarães signed protocols to create its first certified river beach and requalify Parque D. Afonso I, with works due to finish in 2027.
A certified river beach on the Ave
Guimarães's new river beach on the Ave and a revamped Jardim D. Afonso I, backed by the Environmental Fund, should be ready by 2027.
Braga takes on waste
The environment agency's "Vamos Lixar o Lixo" roadshow brought games, talks and school activities to Braga to promote waste prevention and recycling.
Safe bike parking across Greater Lisbon
Lisbon's metropolitan transport body will build 57 secure bike parks at transport hubs, free for Navegante pass holders across all 18 municipalities.
Cascais gives textiles a second life
The (Re)Vestir Cascais pilot has collected over a tonne of textiles, avoiding 3.4 tonnes of CO2 and using QR codes so residents can track their donations.
Guarding fruit from heat stress
Sunscald can spoil 10-40% of fruit; monitoring radiation, humidity, wind and soil water helps growers act early with irrigation or shading.
Nets that shield high-value crops
Anti-bird nets offer continuous, energy-free protection for vines and berries during ripening, a low-impact way to reduce crop losses.
Maize area edges down
Portugal's maize area dips slightly, driven by less irrigated maize, though production has stayed fairly stable despite a decade of decline.
Nuts sector seeks new momentum
Portugal's nut congress in Évora highlighted strong growth driven by Alqueva irrigation, with almond and walnut exports topping €155 million.
Championing Portuguese olive oil
At Lisbon's Olive Oil World Congress, the agriculture minister stressed Portugal is the world's sixth-largest producer, with exports over €1 billion.
Mediterranean networks share water solutions
A 'Seeds of the Mediterranean' webinar brought together national CAP networks to discuss water sustainability, circular economy and farm innovation.
Portugal's best-ever AgroChallenge result
The EPAMAC school from Marco de Canaveses took second place at AgroChallenge 2026 in the UK, Portugal's best result in the agricultural skills contest.
Young farmers move billions
Over 15 years young farmers invested more than €1.5 billion via 10,000 projects, yet only 4.7% of farm leaders are under 40.
AgriJovem in the EU spotlight
The EU CAP Network praised Portugal's rural network for AgriJovem, which gathered 40 agronomy students in Évora to discuss farming's future.
27,000 citizens save legume diversity
The European INCREASE project mobilised over 27,000 people to help conserve the genetic diversity of legumes like chickpeas, beans and lentils.
Engineers train for a greener future
The southern branch of the Order of Engineers launched a 2026 e-learning programme covering AI, sustainability, circular economy and leadership.
Record electricity use, mostly renewable
Electricity use hit a record 27,200 GWh in the first half of 2026, with renewables covering 71%, led by hydro and wind.
New energy support for families
The government launched a scheme, funded by the Environmental Fund, to help families whose Vale Eficiência applications went unfunded access energy upgrades.
€680k for climate resilience
Alentejo 2030 opened a €680,000 call for projects strengthening climate resilience and risk prevention, co-funded up to 85% by the ERDF.
€2.32bn PRR payment approved
The European Commission approved Portugal's ninth PRR payment, backing risk prevention, waste management and simpler environmental licensing.
Minho towns paid for power line
Six Minho municipalities will share €2.1 million from REN for hosting a new Portugal-Spain high-voltage line, its route revised to lessen impacts.
Doubts over Barroso mine air studies
An expert found the air quality studies backing the Barroso lithium mine's approval have serious limitations, to be presented publicly in Boticas.
More scrutiny of Barroso mine data
Canadian expert Douw Steyn questions whether current data can reliably assess the Barroso lithium mine's impact, adding to legal and community opposition.
Clash over Gardunha solar project
Eurowind Energy accuses Castelo Branco's council of rejecting all sites for its €1.2bn wind and solar project; the council calls the firm intransigent.
Sole fishing suspended
With 80% of the quota reached, targeted sole fishing is banned from Monday across several zones including Portuguese waters and the Azores Bank.
Tension over Madeira banana label
A Socialist MP criticises GESBA for not filing the Madeira Banana's protected label application itself, warning legitimate producers could contest it.
Fishing nets become clothing
Under the Blue Bioeconomy Pact, 8.5 tonnes of discarded nets from Olhão and Quarteira will be recycled into textile fibres for clothes and footwear.
Science from rivers to the ocean
The University of the Algarve's marine research centre hosts the 2nd ARNET meeting on environmental risks, water, biodiversity and the blue economy.
Algarve micro-firms go digital
The European DIBEST project helped 15 Algarve micro-enterprises in tourism and the blue economy with training, mentoring and international events.
An antimony refinery for Sines
ACM plans a 10,000-tonne antimony refinery in Sines by 2030, targeting critical raw materials with high environmental standards and 150 jobs.
Portugal must speed up on waste
The environment agency warns over half of waste still goes to landfill, far from the 10% target, with selective collection stuck at 20%.
A charter for future companies
BCSD Portugal marked 25 years with a "Charter to the Companies of the Future," signed by 120 firms committed to sustainable value creation by 2050.
Crédito Agrícola joins the charter
Crédito Agrícola signed BCSD Portugal's Charter to the Companies of the Future, reinforcing its long-standing sustainable finance commitments.
Montalegre, rural capital for three days
Montalegre hosts ECAPTURMONT, showcasing the Barroso region's biodiversity, gastronomy and rural traditions, recognised by the FAO as agricultural heritage.
A gourmet grocer in Tavira
Mustique Gourmet opened in Tavira with around 450 Portuguese products, blending historic brands with small independent producers.
Push for a Madeira ferry
The JPP celebrated parliamentary approval urging the government to set up a regular ferry link between Madeira and the mainland for passengers and cargo.
Parliament backs ferry revival
Parliament approved a Chega resolution recommending the state restore a regular sea link between Madeira and the mainland, leaving execution to the government.
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