Good morning. Today's Pulse looks at how Portugal is watching its land and water — from CO2-sniffing drones over the Azores to data centres and their thirst — and ends, as it should, with a young winegrower and a loaf of octopus bread.
An article in the Açoriano Oriental of 30 August 2026 highlights an internationally innovative project led by IVAR, the research institute of the University of the Azores, which uses drones and satellites to detect CO2. The report was featured as the newspaper's front-page story that Sunday.
Humberto Rosa, former Director for Biodiversity and Natural Capital at the European Commission, discussed how Portugal and Europe can improve environmental policy in a recent episode of the Lusitania Network podcast. The conversation focused on possible directions for tackling forest fires in Portugal, drawing on his experience in EU environmental affairs.
The ADN Madeira party has demanded that the IFCN (Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation) release official visitor data for the Fanal forest and explain how it enforces the daily cap of 3,000 visitors. The demand follows reports of heavy crowds and vehicle congestion at the site. The party is asking for the number of visitors recorded on 28 August, peak attendance periods, entry and exit control mechanisms, and details of on-site enforcement. It argues that setting limits, installing signage or announcing measures without actual enforcement fails to protect the natural heritage site.
Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho said in Montemor-o-Velho that a new pumping system is being designed to replace the outdated Foja mechanism, arguing the existing six pumps cannot solve flooding like that seen in the Baixo Mondego. She said urgent post-flood works are complete and the region is better prepared, citing the irrigation canal rebuilt in weeks. The old pump model is no longer available on the market, so APA is developing an alternative system. She also addressed drought policy, dam levels at 80%, and new water and energy rules being prepared for data centres.
The DGAV, Portugal's food and veterinary authority, has published an updated list of zones contaminated with Erwinia amylovora, the bacterium causing fire blight in fruit trees and other plants. The update comes via Despacho n.º 118/G/2026 and an accompanying notice setting out mandatory phytosanitary containment measures. Owners, tenants and holders of rural or urban properties within these zones must comply with the containment rules established under Portaria n.º 308/2021. Further details and an updated contamination map are available on the DGAV's dedicated fire blight webpage.
Environmental group ZERO has criticised a government resolution (RCM 70/2026) that opens the way for data centre expansion in Portugal, saying it fails to guarantee these facilities support the climate transition. ZERO warns that meeting projected peak demand of 41GW via solar power alone would require covering about 3% of national territory in panels, consuming as much water as the whole Lisbon metropolitan area, and multiplying planned battery storage capacity 40-fold. Data centre grid connection requests already account for over 70% of power sought from REN. ZERO calls for binding rules on renewable energy additionality, water use, energy efficiency and heat reuse, warning of energy enclaves disconnected from local economies.
The president of the Azores Agricultural Federation, Jorge Rita, warned that dairy farmers on São Miguel could lose €15 million in revenue by the end of the year following price cuts announced by the industry. Unileite announced a two-cent-per-litre reduction from September, following similar cuts by Bel, Lactogal, Insulac and Prolacto. Jorge Rita criticised the industry for never holding prices steady to protect producers, noting this is the second price drop in 2026 and coincides with a 16.3-cent rise in diesel prices. Farmers are also demanding €23 million in support already granted to mainland Portugal to offset production costs linked to the war in Ukraine.
An agricultural producers' association in Serpa has called for an urgent meeting with the Portuguese Government, citing severe economic pressure on farmers in the region. The group blames a sharply rising cost of agricultural diesel for squeezing producers' finances. No details were given on when a meeting might take place or what specific measures the association is seeking from authorities.
Portugal's two main farming confederations, the CNA and the CAP, reacted to a government announcement of increased support for the agricultural sector. Both organisations welcomed the move but stressed that promises must now translate into concrete measures on the ground. They called on the government to move quickly from announcements to actual implementation, reflecting long-standing frustration among farmers over delays in receiving pledged aid.
Portugal's agriculture minister José Manuel Fernandes announced a new €25 million support scheme, launching on 1 September, to repair irrigation infrastructure damaged by recent storms. This adds to €35 million already approved, bringing total repair investment to €60 million, funded through the state budget. The announcement came during a visit to the Bravura dam modernisation works in Lagos, a €15 million project expected to cut water losses by 60%. The minister linked the investments to the wider 'Água que Une' strategy, which foresees €5.4 billion in spending by 2030, and also announced a further €20 million to help farmers buy fertilisers.
An opinion piece examines Portugal's new bottle deposit return system, Volta, arguing the environmental goal is sound but its implementation was rushed. It notes some producers now sell water in 3.1-litre bottles to dodge the deposit threshold, and some restaurants have reverted to glass to avoid the new logistics. The author contrasts Portugal with Austria and Germany, where deposit schemes built on existing recycling infrastructure over years. It argues the costs of adapting have fallen on retailers, municipalities, restaurants and people with reduced mobility, and calls for a redesign that consults those who operate the system daily rather than abandoning the goal itself.
The Mortágua Municipality will proceed with the rehabilitation of its Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) after receiving approval from the Court of Auditors. The project is estimated to cost around one million euros. No further details on the works' scope or timeline were given.
The Anadia municipal council has presented a new waste collection model to parish councils, due to start in October. The changes include an increase in collection frequency and adjustments to some collection routes. The measure aims to improve the waste management service across the municipality, though further operational details have not been specified.
Independent Funchal councillor Luís Filipe Santos is demanding that the Regional Government clarify details of a public and affordable housing project planned for roughly 29,000 square metres of land in Amparo, currently covered by preventive land-use measures. He wants specifics on the number of homes, the investment involved, and a timeline for starting and finishing construction. Santos also criticised the limited role given to Funchal City Council, arguing the municipality should have an effective say in decisions affecting the city's territory.
A new project called ePORCEL aims to make fine porcelain tableware production more sustainable by using electric kiln firing and additive manufacturing. Led by company Porcel SA, with the University of Aveiro and Mota II Soluções Cerâmicas as partners, it seeks to cut energy use and carbon footprint. A key focus is reformulating the ceramic paste and slip to lower firing temperatures by about 100°C, from 1,400ºC to below 1,300ºC, potentially improving efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions while preserving the porcelain's whiteness, translucency and hardness.
BYD posted its first quarterly profit rise in over a year, up 30% to 8.2 billion yuan between April and June, even as revenue fell 3.2%. First-half profit still dropped 20.5%, reflecting intense price competition in China. Exports rose 71% in the same period, now representing 44% of total sales, as the company leans on international markets, especially Europe. In Portugal, BYD sold 6,059 passenger cars in 2025, up 94.1%, reaching a 2.7% market share and over half of all Chinese brand sales, though the country remains a minor part of BYD's global business.
The Lagoa Congress Centre hosts the first day of the IV Congresso Cidade Social on 1 October, continuing in Portimão the following day. The event brings together local officials, municipal staff and specialists to share knowledge and good practice in areas such as sport, social action, education, culture, tourism, health and civil protection. Over the two days, the 2026 Municipal Excellence Awards will be presented alongside recognitions for the Campos de Férias and Programa de Atividade Física Sénior quality schemes. Participation is mandatory and free for municipalities enrolled in these recognition programmes, while registration remains open to others.
Vinevinu, a vineyard in Requião, Vila Nova de Famalicão, will hold a charity grape harvest on 5 September to help more than 270 indigenous Wounaan families affected by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on 10 August. Organised by Colombians Carolina Osorio and Laura Franco, the event costs 30 euros and includes the harvest, a wine-must tasting and a hand-painted glass. Funds will support families in four communities along the San Juan river, buying materials such as roof tiles, wood and water tanks to rebuild homes and schools. Those unable to attend can donate directly to the campaign.
The Quinta Pedagógica de Braga hosted the 'Happy Day', an event organised by the 'Angioma — Flor de Pele' page, opening a weekend of family-oriented activities. Natália Costa, who runs the municipal farm, said the venue has partnered with the initiative for about a year, highlighting the site's inclusive character. The programme included a photography exhibition marking the movement's ten-year journey and a salsa class, among other activities.
The Confraria Marinha da Ria Formosa and the KlubeSol association presented a new dish, the Folar de Polvo da Ria Formosa com Salicórnia, on 30 August at the FATACIL fair in Lagoa. It combines octopus from Fuzeta, a staple of local fishing, with salicórnia, a salt-tolerant plant known as "green salt" that grows in the Ria Formosa's salt marshes and has gained popularity in contemporary cuisine. The organisers describe the creation as a way of honouring Fuzeta's fishing traditions and salt-pan heritage while giving them a modern twist. The initiative also aims to promote the dish beyond its home community and to connect local producers, associations and residents.
Pedro Dias, the youngest winegrower on Porto Santo island, works year-round at Quinta do Pilha Gatos, where this year's grape harvest has just taken place. Raised on the island, he chose viticulture as a lifelong passion and now a profession, dedicating himself full-time with support from his family. He wants to preserve the island's traditional 'caracol' grape variety, which he considers part of Porto Santo's identity, while helping to bring wider recognition to its wine beyond the island.
A short read every morning — what's happening across sustainable Portugal.
