Pulse

5 September 2026

Good morning. Today the wild things lead — wolves in Gerês, vultures riding the September thermals — before we turn to water, waste and the long work of keeping a country cool.

Wild Portugal

Portugal's three vulture species mark International Vulture Day

To mark International Vulture Day, celebrated on the first Saturday of September, this article presents Portugal's three vulture species. The cinerous vulture, Europe's largest, vanished from Portugal in the 1970s and only returned to nest in 2010; a LIFE project launched in 2022 aims to double breeding pairs, with 119-126 recorded last year. The griffon vulture is the most common, with an estimated 1,200 pairs, its largest colony at Portas do Ródão. The Egyptian vulture, smallest and endangered, migrates from Africa each spring but has declined roughly 50% across Europe in 40 years due to poisoning, habitat disturbance and power lines.

Centro Ecosystems & Biodiversity Read more at Wilder ↗ View project: SPEA – Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves →

Photographer captures wolves chasing wild boar in Peneda-Gerês

Wildlife photographer Carlos Pontes, from Ponte da Barca, shared an image of two Iberian wolves chasing a wild boar in the Peneda-Gerês National Park. He framed the moment as a reminder of the wolf's ecological role as a top predator that helps regulate boar, roe deer and red deer populations, which often damage crops and forests. The image comes amid growing tension over wolf attacks on livestock in Minho and Trás-os-Montes, with shepherds from the Miranda plateau planning a protest demanding government support after recent flock losses.

Norte Ecosystems & Biodiversity Read more at O Minho ↗

Mafra council begins building Empa ecological park near Ericeira

Mafra council has started construction of the Empa Ecological Park, north of Ericeira, budgeted at 1.1 million euros. Work began after archaeological surveys were completed, with the contract awarded on 27 August. The project aims to ecologically restore natural heritage and enhance the landscape around Forte Milreu, between Empa and Orelheira beaches, linking land and sea, urban and rural areas. The site falls within the Alcobaça-Cabo Espichel coastal protection programme and the Natura 2000 network due to cliffs with endemic vegetation. Funded by Portugal 2030 EU funds, the works are expected to take seven months.

Lisbon Ecosystems & Biodiversity Read more at Green Savers ↗

Miranda do Corvo plans lab to grow native tree species

At Semide's Feira da Árvore, Miranda do Corvo's mayor announced plans for what he called Portugal's first laboratory dedicated to growing native tree species for reforestation, to be privately funded and backed technically by the ICNF. The forestry secretary of state, Rui Ladeira, outlined a 25-year government forestry strategy focused on value creation, resilience, land ownership issues and simplified procedures. The region, which the mayor said produces about 80% of Portugal's citrus, is still recovering from storm Kristin; Miranda do Corvo will receive one of over 200 tractors being distributed nationally to municipalities for forest management and firebreak work.

Centro Ecosystems & Biodiversity Read more at Notícias de Coimbra ↗ View project: ICNF - Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas →

Fire, forest and land

Tábua opens second biomass park to help prevent wildfires

The municipality of Tábua has opened the Venda da Serra Biomass Park in the parish of Mouronho, the second such facility in the council area. The site receives forestry and agricultural residues, forming part of local efforts to reduce fire risk by clearing flammable material from the countryside. The opening ceremony was attended by mayor Ricardo Cruz, deputy mayor António Oliveira, other councillors and the parish council president.

Centro Ecosystems & Biodiversity Read more at Notícias de Coimbra ↗

Leiria region's solar-eligible land cut by two-thirds

The area in the Leiria region eligible for solar and wind energy installations was cut by 64% between the draft version of the government's 'Green Map' put out for public consultation and the version ultimately approved. The reduction followed criticism from associations and local authorities, as well as changes to the initial rules governing where such projects could be sited. The map determines which land can host renewable energy infrastructure in the region.

Centro Energy, Water & Mobility Read more at Região de Leiria ↗

Machico PSD councillors propose partial suspension of municipal land-use plan

PSD councillors on Machico's municipal council proposed urgently evaluating a partial, exceptional and temporary suspension of the Municipal Master Plan (PDM), aiming to unblock housing projects and support emerging investment. They argue the current plan, drawn up under different conditions, no longer suits Machico's economic, social and territorial needs. The councillors stressed this would not be a general suspension but a selective, temporary measure backed by technical and legal justification. The proposal, already rejected by the council, was meant to link with the ongoing PDM revision, with any transitional solutions later incorporated into the new plan.

Madeira Construction & Housing Read more at JM Madeira ↗

Water, waste and the everyday

Portimão utility acts on waste build-up at Monte Canelas

Portimão's municipal water and waste company, EMARP, has installed new signage and contacted residents of the Monte Canelas development to encourage more balanced use of its four recycling points. The move follows excessive waste build-up at bin cluster no. 210 on Rua da Amendoeira, which has been used far more than the other three, leading to green waste and bulky items being dumped outside the containers. The signs point residents to their nearest bin cluster and remind them of EMARP's free collection service for bulky waste, garden waste and small renovation debris, bookable by QR code, phone or email.

Algarve Products, Consumption & Circular Read more at Barlavento ↗

Tejo Ambiente runs awareness campaign at Ferreira do Zêzere river beaches

Tejo Ambiente, the intermunicipal environment company for the Médio Tejo, held awareness sessions on 3 September at the Lago Azul and Bairrada/Bairradinha river beaches in Ferreira do Zêzere. The actions, part of the campaign 'A Praia Começa em Nós', focused on water quality, proper waste disposal and protection of sewage infrastructure. Staff spoke directly with beach users about responsible use of facilities. The campaign began in July at Praia Fluvial do Agroal and continues over summer at other river beaches in the company's area, aiming to encourage individual responsibility for the environment.

Centro Community & Social Innovation Read more at Ambiente Magazine ↗

Acciona pitches desalination and water reuse for Portuguese farming

An industry piece by Acciona outlines how modernising irrigation could help Portuguese agriculture cope with water scarcity worsened by climate change. It highlights drip irrigation over flood systems, which can lose up to 50% of water to evaporation, and points to Alqueva as a strong base for expansion. Acciona presents its own projects as examples: modular containerised desalination units producing 1,500-2,000 m³ daily, a large desalination plant in Spain, wastewater treatment in Mexico, and a reused-water scheme irrigating Vilamoura's golf courses in the Algarve using ultrafiltration technology.

Food & Agriculture Read more at Ambiente Magazine ↗

Guimarães to host national urban cleaning conference in September

Guimarães will host the eighth National Urban Cleaning Meeting (ENLU) from 8 to 10 September, organised by the Urban Cleaning Association (ALU). The event, held previously in Braga, Loulé, Cascais, Funchal and Porto, is part of the Guimarães 26 – European Green Capital programme. Under the theme "[De]constructing the future", it will bring together municipalities, companies, technicians and policymakers to discuss public space management, green areas, water lines, beaches and environmental inspection. Organisers describe the meeting as a chance to share knowledge and practices for more sustainable urban management.

Norte Community & Social Innovation Read more at Green Savers ↗

The deposit-return system, four months on

Portugal expands bottle-deposit kiosks for cafés and restaurants

SDR Portugal is expanding its deposit-return system (SDR) collection network for the HoReCa sector, adding Quiosques volta kiosks to complement automatic Pontos volta machines and a direct pick-up service. Four months after the scheme launched, six kiosks are running in Albufeira, Barcelos, Cascais, Funchal, Ponta Delgada and Vila Nova de Famalicão, with agreements for further sites in six other municipalities. The goal is to reach 50 kiosks nationwide. The 0.10€ deposit per single-use beverage container up to three litres is refundable via an app, MBWay soon, or donation to charities, when packaging is returned empty and intact.

Products, Consumption & Circular Read more at Green Savers ↗ View project: LPN – Liga para a Protecção da Natureza →

Tetra Pak and Agros promote recycling campaign at AgroSemana

Tetra Pak and Agros are running activities at AgroSemana, held from 3 to 6 September in Póvoa de Varzim, to promote their joint campaign encouraging people to place beverage cartons, such as milk packaging, in yellow recycling bins. The event includes an interactive exhibition tracing milk's journey from farm to recycling, and awareness efforts extend to Saturday's Agros charity walk. Both companies say the goal is to make recycling and packaging choices more visible and relevant to families through direct engagement.

Norte Products, Consumption & Circular Read more at Ambiente Magazine ↗

Rules, funds and the fine print

EDP chief urges clear rules for data centres in Portugal

Miguel Stilwell d'Andrade, CEO of EDP, argued in a LinkedIn post that the debate over data centres in Portugal and Iberia should focus on the conditions attached to these projects, not whether to host them at all. He said Europe urgently needs data centre capacity to avoid strategic dependence similar to its energy import vulnerability. While praising Portugal's renewable energy, connectivity and land availability, he warned that not every project should be accepted, calling for clear, predictable rules on environmental standards, jobs, water and grid protection, set early and not changed after investments are made.

Energy, Water & Mobility Read more at Jornal PT Green ↗

Leiria's sustainable mobility plan estimated at over €570 million

The updated Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (PMUS) for Leiria estimates the cost of implementing it at more than €570 million, according to the document now under public consultation until 15 September. It lists 11 possible funding sources, including structural funds and the municipal budget. The plan schedules actions across four time horizons: short term (to 2028), medium term (to 2031), long term (to 2036) and extended term (to 2051). The full document is available on the Leiria council's website.

Centro Energy, Water & Mobility More on this story →

Travelling more lightly

Madeira retains EarthCheck sustainable tourism certification

Madeira has renewed its international recognition as a sustainable tourism destination, keeping its EarthCheck certification at Level IV of the Silver standard. EarthCheck is a global benchmarking and certification programme that assesses destinations on environmental, social and economic sustainability performance. The renewal confirms the Portuguese archipelago's continued compliance with the scheme's criteria, reinforcing its positioning in international tourism markets that increasingly value sustainability credentials.

Madeira Education & Eco-tourism Read more at The Portugal News ↗

Spanish firm Zunder opens fast-charging station in Caldas da Rainha

Spanish electric vehicle charging company Zunder has opened an ultra-fast charging station in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal, as part of its international expansion strategy. The move marks the company's entry into the Portuguese market, with further stations planned across the country. The expansion reflects growing demand for fast-charging infrastructure as electric vehicle adoption increases in Portugal.

Centro Energy, Water & Mobility Read more at The Portugal News ↗

Beja university launches cross-border tourism course in Vila Real de Santo António

The Universidade Politécnica de Beja (UPBeja) will run a new higher professional technical course (CTeSP) in Border and Eurocity Tourism, based at the Escola de Hotelaria de Vila Real de Santo António. The programme covers the cross-border Eurocidade Guadiana area, including Alcoutim, Castro Marim, Vila Real de Santo António, Tavira, Barrancos, Serpa, Mértola and Moura. Classes start in the 2026/2027 academic year, developed in partnership with Turismo de Portugal, aiming to link higher education to the region's tourism potential linked to its border location.

Algarve Education & Eco-tourism Read more at Jornal do Algarve ↗

Iberian consortium wraps up hospital sustainability project in Portimão

The Green Hospitals consortium holds its closing ceremony on 17 September at the Portimão unit of the Algarve's Local Health Unit, presenting results from a three-year cross-border project to cut hospitals' ecological footprint. Funded under the Spain-Portugal POCTEP 2021-2027 cooperation programme, it targeted energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in a healthcare sector whose emissions exceed the European average. The event includes Energy Savings Awards and gathers five Portuguese and two Spanish institutions. Organisers say the challenge now is ensuring the tested solutions continue and are replicated elsewhere.

Algarve Health & Wellbeing Read more at Barlavento ↗

Military Academy wins National Defence and Environment Prize

The Academia Militar won the 33rd edition of Portugal's National Defence and Environment Prize with its project 'Eco AM 360º', which sets out a replicable sustainability model for the Army and Defence sector, according to a notice published in Diário da República. Second place went to the Army's General Material Support Unit (UAGME) for its own environmental initiative. The prize, created in 1993 and worth at least €50,000, was decided jointly by Defence Minister Nuno Melo and Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho, split 65/35 between the two winners. In March, the government updated the prize's rules to emphasise energy transition, climate change and the circular economy.

Education & Eco-tourism Read more at Jornal PT Green ↗

Close to home

Funchal council runs environmental campaign at MEO Sons do Mar festival

Funchal's municipal council is deploying environmental awareness teams at the MEO Sons do Mar festival, held today and tomorrow at Parque de Santa Catarina. The teams urge festival-goers not to drop cigarette butts and to use the venue's bins properly, while handing out portable ashtrays to smokers. The council says civic behaviour by individuals is key to keeping the park clean, alongside the teams' work. This is part of a wider summer campaign across festivals, which will conclude on 25 September at the Carvão em Brasa festival at Quinta Magnólia.

Madeira Education & Eco-tourism Read more at JM Madeira ↗

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