Girabolhos goes to tender
The government launched a 65-year concession for the Girabolhos multi-purpose dam without a set base price, with an indicative cost of 300 million euros and construction due by 2038.
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Pulse
16 July 2026
Good morning. Today the big conversation is the Girabolhos dam and how Portugal balances energy, water and nature, alongside quieter wins in recycling, mobility and biodiversity science.
Minister: a technical, not political, decision
The Environment and Energy Minister says the dam rests on an independent engineering assessment, rejecting claims it was driven by recent floods.
Quercus: it delays needed reforms
Quercus calls for cancelling the tender, arguing the dam won't solve structural flooding in the Mondego basin and may postpone modernising the lower Mondego system.
ZERO demands a new environmental review
ZERO says the dam drains under 15% of the basin and won't stop floods, urging funds go to reforestation and a fresh impact assessment since the 2010 one has lapsed.
Renewables acceleration zones face pushback
The public consultation on the PSZAER closed with unfavourable opinions from Quercus and several municipalities, citing grid mismatch and risks to ecological reserves.
Quercus rejects the acceleration plan
Quercus issued a formal unfavourable opinion on the renewables plan, warning of grid limits, forest risks and weakened municipal and public control.
Transition as opportunity, not burden
An opinion piece argues decarbonisation is a competitiveness and sovereignty asset, suggesting a gradual approach of efficiency first and use of PPAs.
Madeira weighs longevity and energy
Madeira's economic advisory council debated longevity as a new development pillar alongside renewable energy targets and supply security.
Old olive groves as firebreaks
An Abrantes association argues restoring abandoned traditional olive groves cuts fuel load and fire spread, having recovered 5,000 trees since 2023.
Chestnuts for a resilient Serra de São Mamede
The PS proposes converting 190 hectares of pine to chestnut and native species to boost fire resilience in the Serra de São Mamede.
Protecting people from fire's health toll
European Climate Pact ambassadors urged municipalities to shield vulnerable groups from wildfire health impacts, with a public appeal in Matosinhos on 18 July.
Nature restoration plan open for comment
Portugal's National Nature Restoration Plan is under public consultation until 19 August, aiming to restore at least 20% of land and sea areas by 2030.
A Portuguese first for legume science
ITQB NOVA researcher Carlota Vaz Patto became the first woman to lead the International Legume Society, working on more sustainable, productive legumes.
An eagle owl lost to delay
A rescued young eagle owl died after taking around 51 hours to reach a recovery centre, prompting anger over the handling of the rescue.
Azores hit recycling record
The Azores recovered 82% of urban waste in 2025, cutting landfill to a historic low of 18% and far exceeding its interim target.
Tabaqueira halves water use
The Tabaqueira factory cut specific water use by 48% since 2019, remaining Portugal's first plant certified by the Alliance for Water Stewardship.
Lagos moves its mobile eco-centres
Lagos relocated its two mobile eco-centres to bring selective waste collection closer to residents, with more locations planned in coming months.
Portalegre builds its cycle network
Portalegre approved the first phase of its cycle network, 6.3 km linking the polytechnic campus to housing and shops, plus 10 shared e-bikes.
Reduced VAT for urban renewal
Parliament approved a 6% VAT rate on renovation works in urban rehabilitation areas, even without a formal rehabilitation operation in place.
Horticulture colloquium in Odemira
Lusomorango's 8th colloquium on 17 July in São Teotónio tackles climate recovery, business resilience and sustainable growth.
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