Bom dia. Today's Pulse runs from estuary protection and reservoir levels to a deposit-return deadline that lands next week, with a few small delights along the way.
The Government has completed the designation of the Tagus Estuary Special Area of Conservation, setting out objectives and measures for estuarine and coastal habitats. It is one of the 61 site management plans Portugal owes under the Habitats Directive.
The Ovar–Marinha Grande coastal programme has been revised after seven years, reclassifying and creating several beaches. The aim is safety, environmental protection and adaptation to coastal erosion.
Madeira's forestry and nature conservation institute has taken on five new forest sappers, who now begin training with the region's specialist teams. The career, created in 2018, was a first in Portugal.
The association is calling for the immediate suspension of the public tender for the Girabolhos dam, citing missing viability studies and risk shifted onto the concessionaire. It also questions APA acting as contracting authority, licensing body and appeal body at once.
ACCIONA has completed the upgrade and expansion of the Tróia treatment plant in Grândola, now serving the equivalent of 16,500 inhabitants. Membrane bioreactor technology produces reused water for irrigating golf courses and green areas.
Nine municipalities in the Viseu and Grande Porto areas now have until 4 October 2026 to decide whether to join the multi-municipal supply system run by Águas do Douro e Paiva. The extension allows a fuller assessment of the technical and financial implications.
More than 12,500 signatures ask parliament to debate a court case in which a company seeks recognition of ownership over five Setúbal beaches. Signatories fear for free public access; APA has already opposed the action in court.
PS-Madeira says a treatment plant built for three million euros has never operated, leaving untreated sewage discharged into the sea near Maiata beach. The party links the situation to lost blue-flag prospects and renews the call for the promised promenade.
APA's beach litter monitoring, with the Oceano Azul Foundation, found plastic made up around 89% of waste in 2024 and 88% in 2025. Tourism and leisure are the main identified source; from 2026 the programme passes to DGRM.
Grupo José de Mello has suspended the Lifthium refinery project, citing market conditions and the absence of long-term supply contracts, despite 180 million euros in approved public support. MiningWatch Portugal calls for a transparent reassessment of the EU Strategic Projects.
ERSE has shifted the off-peak period from 22:00 to 22:30 and reorganised peak hours, phased in from 2027. The change follows growing decentralised renewable output and affects around 500,000 households.
The Sustentável 2030 programme has opened a 25 million euro call to strengthen energy autonomy in public hospitals and water and sanitation networks. Projects must combine storage, grid connection and the ability to run independently in emergencies.
RAR Açúcar has completed a 12 million euro investment under its CarbonFree project, becoming the first Portuguese sugar company to run refining heat on forest biomass. It has also added solar generation and set emissions, steam and water targets to 2030.
The public consultation on Leiria's Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan now runs to 15 September, with the municipal votes pushed to November and December. The plan sets out 74 proposals across eight areas of action.
Madeira's civil protection service has installed the country's first 'EV Trainer' simulator, with a first session on 31 July for 20 firefighters. It covers high-voltage risks, emergency procedures and protective equipment.
CeNTI, in Vila Nova de Famalicão, is developing seats for the BEN electric car with speakers in the headrest, textile heating and phosphorescent fibres. The ultra-thin speaker, awarded in Germany, is part of the Be.Neutral project.
IFAP has extended to 14 August 2026 the deadline for submitting 2025 payment requests under the Fixed Costs option of the beekeeping support intervention. Beneficiaries with questions can write to IFAP directly.
Sogrape's 2025 sustainability report records lower greenhouse gas emissions in Portugal and Spain and a drop of more than 40% in specific water use in Portugal. It also points to more renewable energy and progress on circular economy.
An industry piece presents Eminex, a slurry additive, as a way for dairy farms to stabilise manure, cut greenhouse gas emissions and odours and retain nitrogen and carbon. The claimed benefits include lower fertiliser dependence and more storage capacity.
The 4th National Meeting of the Guardians of Nature takes place on 25 September at the Convento de São Francisco, within the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The network brings together more than 500 women across 28 protected areas and will mark the start of its third expansion phase.
EDP's Entama programme is taking applications until 13 September from entrepreneurs in eleven inland municipalities. Since 2019 it has backed 14 projects and around 30 jobs, aiming to counter depopulation.
University of Aveiro research suggests purple passion fruit peel, a fibre-rich by-product, may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress linked to asthma. Tested in mice, with the authors stressing it is no substitute for medication and that human studies are needed.
From 10 August, all single-use plastic bottles and drink cans sold in Portugal must carry the 'Volta' deposit logo, ending the four-month transition. Consumers pay a 10-cent deposit, refunded on return; over 10 million containers have already come back.
A short read every morning — what's happening across sustainable Portugal.
