Reused water reaches Algarve golf and farming
The Vilamoura station will supply treated water for irrigation, with a monitoring committee planned for the ongoing desalination works.
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Pulse
9 July 2026
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.
Summer Berry reduces reliance on irrigation grids
The Alentejo berry producer already recycles 62 percent of its water and aims for 90 percent through reservoirs and rainwater harvesting.
Treated wastewater safe for Douro vineyards
A UTAD-led pilot found no health risks or residues in wines from vines irrigated with treated wastewater, offering a sustainable option amid drought.
Lisbon University launches water college
The new WISE project and Colégio da Água will boost research and training on water scarcity, pollution and resilience with Gulbenkian support.
EU cooling energy doubled in six years
Eurostat data show household cooling energy in the EU doubled between 2018 and 2024 as heatwaves grow more frequent.
North launches regional climate plan tender
CCDR NORTE opened an international tender to build a regional climate action plan and 2050 carbon neutrality roadmap.
Chaves to assess Tâmega flood risk
The municipality opened a tender for a hydrological study of the Tâmega basin to support future flood prevention measures.
The missing bearded vulture
An article revisits the bearded vulture's regional extinction in mainland Portugal and the lack of recovery plans despite existing strategies.
Protecting the dunes that protect us
An opinion piece stresses coastal dunes as natural barriers, calling for law compliance and responsible behaviour to keep them resilient.
Mapping the Green Giants
Projeto Terra in Paredes de Coura joined a national effort to identify and map notable large trees, training volunteer ambassadors.
Sesimbra wants ICNF review before felling trees
The mayor argued that tree felling in sensitive areas like Ramsar sites should require prior ICNF approval, after a controversial pine felling.
Bordalo II's flamingos from waste in Olhão
The artist built a striking installation from around 300 kilos of waste to call for protection of the Ria Formosa.
myWaste marketplace for industrial symbiosis
The free platform connects companies to trade waste and by-products, having already redirected around 32,000 tonnes of materials.
Ponto Verde's recycling chatbot
A new AI assistant called ELO answers packaging recycling questions, as Portugal fell short of its 2025 recycling targets.
Do returned bottles need washing?
The Volta deposit-return system explains bottles just need to be empty and intact, with 25 million already returned during the transition.
Decarbonisation tools for Valença firms
Valença presented two platforms to help local businesses cut emissions and boost competitiveness.
Madeira session on energy self-consumption
The Casa da Luz museum hosted a session on generating and storing energy for self-consumption, promoting energy literacy.
Renewables acceleration consultation criticised
A platform slammed the public consultation on renewable acceleration zones for lacking maps and defended decentralised energy solutions.
EWA Grow backs women in agrifood
Ten women entrepreneurs began a mentoring and training programme to reduce gender gaps in agrifood business.
A pharmacist who grows blueberries
In Sever do Vouga, Paulo Nogueira turned family land into a growing blueberry operation, honouring his grandparents' memory.
New rural information centre in Vagos
CAP opened a centre to bring support and information closer to farmers in the central coastal region.
Coimbra farm school offers new scholarships
ESAC will award 20 Farm4Future scholarships to top students choosing its degrees as first preference.
Apijardins wins gold for its honey
The Castelo Branco beekeeper won gold in London and reclaimed Portugal's honey of the year title, marking a decade of awards.
Bee Free Bio reinvents honey products
The Batalha family beekeeping brand launched honey colourblends and other derivatives, aiming to expand internationally.
Creactivity bus visits Olhão
A travelling bus brings free hands-on workshops on wind, electricity and light for schools and families.
322 families in housing need in Ílhavo
A revised local housing strategy revealed far more families in need than previously identified, with a plan running to 2029.
Calls for cooperative housing in Madeira
A Machico councillor criticised weak support for cooperative housing and renovation grants, urging more attention to construction safety.
Better transit key for Lisbon mobility
A study found cars still dominate in Lisbon's metropolitan area, but people would switch to better, more frequent public transport.
Algarve surveys residents on mobility
AMAL launched a public survey to shape a new sustainable urban mobility plan aligned with decarbonisation goals.
Portugal risks EU court over recycling and fishing
Beyond recycling failures, Brussels opened an infringement over Portugal's lack of an automated fisheries data system.
Parity exception for climate council
The PSD kept its proposal to allow the long-delayed climate council to form without meeting gender parity, drawing criticism.
Sanitation works disrupt Armona island
Residents of Olhão's Armona island report access difficulties from long-awaited sewage works, due to finish this year.
Alto Minho tenders for water meters
Águas do Alto Minho launched a tender to buy meters for seven municipalities over a 36-month contract.
Young farmer training pack for 2026
AGROBIO opened enrolment for e-learning training packs aimed at young and organic farming candidates.
Biotech summer course in Évora
The course explored solutions for Mediterranean agroforestry species with lab activities and a field visit to Elvas.
Young engineer innovation prize opens
The engineers' order launched its innovation award for professionals under 35, with prizes up to 10,000 euros.
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