Five years of fire in one
The Zero association warns that 2025 rural fires have burned roughly 98% of the area foreseen for the entire 2020-2030 decade, making it the fourth worst year since 2001.
Pulse
15 July 2026
A warm welcome to today's Pulse: from newly discovered moths in the Algarve to coastal resilience plans and a country working through its water and wildfire challenges. Let's take a calm look at sustainable Portugal today.
Homes and schools built for the heat
European Climate Pact ambassadors and ZERO urge the government to cool care homes, schools and health centres and create climate refuges, after six heatwaves in 2026.
Renewable plan may harm rare species
Environmental groups warn that areas proposed for renewable projects overlap with habitats vital to the Iberian lynx, wolf and birds of prey, criticising the lack of cumulative impact assessment.
Two councils say no to the plan
Sertã and Idanha-a-Nova issued unfavourable opinions on the renewable acceleration zones programme, arguing it fails to protect landscape and territorial values.
Gulbenkian backs energy communities
The Gulbenkian Foundation launched a call to fund ten renewable energy communities, prioritising low-density areas and families in energy poverty.
Solar on a Tavira rooftop
Tavira Plaza installed 1,324 solar panels on its roof to boost self-consumption and avoid around 340 tonnes of CO2 a year.
Girabolhos hydro project moves ahead
The APA launched an international tender for the Girabolhos hydro scheme on the Mondego, combining power generation, water supply and flood and drought management.
Eleven new moths for Portugal
A two-year survey in Loulé identified 11 moth species new to Portuguese fauna, bringing the municipality's documented total to 926.
A plan for a resilient coast
The government approved the Coastal Resilience Action Programme 2040, favouring nature-based solutions, monitoring and, where needed, relocating buildings at risk.
Making the biodiversity strategy real
CHANGE researchers argue the 2030 biodiversity strategy needs concrete measures, targets, funding and pilot territories to avoid staying on paper.
Bringing the ocean into the accounts
In an interview, the Oceano Azul Foundation's Stefania Semenova calls for a blue economy that values ocean natural capital and warns against 'bluewashing'.
More selective collection in AMCAL
AMCAL reported a rise in selective waste collection in 2026, as the national SIGRE system recovered over 233,000 tonnes of packaging waste.
Landfill expansion under consultation
The APA opened public consultation until 21 August on expanding Castelo Branco's non-hazardous waste landfill with a third cell.
Turning waste into resources
Leiria-based NOV Group is presented as a circular economy player, handling industrial and hospital waste, wastewater and mine decontamination for 11 municipalities.
The Volta system and its side effect
Portugal's deposit-return scheme Volta has led people in Lisbon to search bins for bottles and cans worth 10 cents each, raising cleanliness concerns.
Braga joins a resilience project
Braga is one of 100 European municipalities in the Pathways2Resilience project, turning climate plans into action on mobility, energy and flood protection.
Trás-os-Montes leads on climate action
The Terras de Trás-os-Montes intermunicipal community became the first in the country to present a climate mitigation and adaptation plan.
Greener neighbourhoods by 2035
The Left Bloc proposed a law requiring at least 30% tree cover in every neighbourhood and a green space within 300 metres of home by 2035.
Resilient farming and women's role
Torres Vedras held its 4th Sustainable Agriculture Seminar, spotlighting women leading organic and regenerative projects and a new regional produce brand.
Support for Madeira beekeepers
Madeira opened a 50,000-euro beekeeping aid scheme, offering 70 to 1,200 euros per applicant for stricter disease prevention measures.
Lithium miner clears its land
Savannah Resources, seeking to mine lithium in Boticas, said it is stepping up forest cleaning on its land to reduce wildfire risk for local communities.
Coffee grounds get a second life
University of Aveiro researchers showed spent coffee grounds can be reused to create stable emulsions that protect coffee oil and its aroma.
Genetics against world hunger
University of Porto scientists developed a genetic modification making an African cereal more nutritious, aiming to help fight world hunger.
25 years of forest wardens
The Merufe forest wardens team marked 25 years, receiving surveillance and prevention tech kits funded by a European project.
Recent
- Hello and welcome to today's Pulse. Water runs through many of today's stories, alongside encouraging news for wildlife, renewables and local flavours.
- Hello and welcome to today's Pulse. From wildfire lessons and water worries to bird-rich landscapes and small local wonders, here is a calm look at sustainable Portugal today.
- Hello and welcome to today's Pulse. Wildfires in the centre remind us how fragile the land can be, but there is also fresh innovation, water solutions and community celebration to lift the day.
- A calm Saturday overview of sustainable Portugal, from restored storks and nature plans to water debates and greener ways to move around.
- Good morning! Today water is very much on our minds - from the Almada shortages to reuse and desalination in the Algarve - but there's also plenty of good news for nature, coasts and local life.
- 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.
- A calm midsummer look at sustainable Portugal, from ocean biodiversity and small carnivores to energy rules, water worries near Lisbon, and a few uplifting community ideas.
- Good morning! Today's Pulse carries the weight of summer heat, from water use to food waste, alongside quiet good news for rivers, soil and renewable energy.
- Happy Monday! Today's Pulse ranges from wild valleys and electric trains to water worries and the quiet art of telling one olive oil from another.
- Happy Sunday! Today's Pulse brings community efforts against wildfires, clever ideas for clean energy, and gentle reminders of what makes sustainable Portugal thrive.