Good morning. Today's Pulse looks at wolves and monk seals, cork festivals and shared bicycles, plus a solar eclipse that will briefly dim the country's panels.
The government has updated the legal protection regime for the Iberian wolf and the compensation system for livestock losses, ending the progressive reduction of payments and allowing claims for animals that go missing after an attack.
Autonomia, a juvenile monk seal, was spotted apparently injured near the marina in Machico, Madeira. Nature wardens are already on site and a veterinary team is expected.
A pilot project by the URZE forestry association introduces extensive grazing with Cachena cattle in the Aljão area of Gouveia, to cut fuel loads and fire risk while supporting biodiversity and the local economy.
Quercus accuses the Environment Minister and the APA of misrepresenting free public access to the beaches of Melides, after a report revealed physical barriers next to a luxury resort. The association is calling for real enforcement and penalties.
The Agriculture Minister argues that solar and wind farms should go on land without agricultural potential, after the Nordeste Vivo platform warned about renewable megaprojects in the Planalto Mirandês and Douro Superior and asked for approvals to be suspended pending an impact study.
The second phase of the Rossio de São Brás refurbishment goes to tender, with landscaping, drainage and the Floresta Nómada project to add vegetation and climate resilience ahead of the 2027 European Capital of Culture.
Two public tenders worth over 36.2 million euros will fund a new wastewater treatment plant and new waste collection equipment, together with an environmental awareness campaign.
A public vote chose 'full sand' and 'alpine blue' for the future VELA bike-sharing system, which will start with 490 bicycles across 86 stations in Almancil, Quarteira, São Clemente and São Sebastião.
A municipal survey of the urban regeneration areas found 125 vacant buildings, 112 of them in the historic centre, and no properties in ruins.
A bridge linking Montalvão, in Nisa, to Cedillo in Spain should cut around 85 km off the current journey. The investment exceeds 24 million euros and answers a long-standing request from border communities.
During a visit to Montemor-o-Velho, farmers asked the Prime Minister for support in the face of rising costs and falling incomes. The visit also followed repair works on dikes damaged by January's storms and floods.
AJAP is expanding its fully online training programme for young and less young farmers, covering sustainability and the circular economy, farm business management and organic production, starting between August and October.
REN expects the near-total eclipse on 12 August to cut solar generation by roughly 450 MW between 18h30 and 20h30, just as evening demand climbs. Hydro and thermal reserves will be mobilised to keep the system balanced.
The association argues that the Green Industrial Strategy should reshape the economy around renewable and geological resources, and suggests a sovereign fund to build fuller national value chains rather than exporting raw copper and spodumene.
Valormed collected 1,398.9 tonnes of out-of-date medicines and packaging in 2025, up 3.46% on the previous year, with 480 tonnes going to recycling and 3,294 collection points active nationwide.
EMARP collected 19,560 kg of waste at the Portimão festival and sent 10,740 kg, or 55%, for recovery and recycling, up from 41% last year, with less going to landfill.
The FACES event returns to Sabóia for three days with cork as its theme, bringing exhibitions, crafts, food, music and the traditional August fair at the Largo da Moagem.
A short read every morning — what's happening across sustainable Portugal.
