Sustainable Living
Pulse

20 September 2026

Good morning. Today's edition travels from a Braga gallery reopening its doors to potato juice becoming chemistry, with forests, fisheries and fairs in between.

Land, water and the creatures on it

Dozens protest in Águeda against eucalyptus wildfire risk

Dozens of people gathered in Águeda, Aveiro district, to protest against wildfires and demand the removal of abandoned eucalyptus and pine plantations, which activists describe as a nationwide fire risk. Organised by Quercus with the Floresta do Futuro movement and a local association, the event highlighted community efforts to replant native species. Spokesperson João Camargo argued native forests burn slower and are easier to control, and warned that this year's lower fire activity was down to chance rather than reduced risk. Official data show 6,910 rural fires and 67,130 hectares burned in Portugal by end of August 2026.

CentroEcosystems & BiodiversityMore on this story → View project: ICNF - Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas →

Portugal builds treatment plant for old Jales gold mine water

The state-owned Mining Development Company (EDM) is investing two million euros in a plant to treat contaminated water from the former Jales gold mine, in Vila Pouca de Aguiar, which was decommissioned in 1992. The announcement was made by the local city council. The project aims to address pollution left behind by the abandoned mining operation, which has long affected the surrounding area.

NorteEnergy, Water & MobilityRead more at The Portugal News ↗

EU project turns potato juice into bio-based chemicals

A new four-year European project called PACE will use potato juice, a little-exploited by-product of potato processing, as raw material for bio-based chemicals. A consortium will build a large-scale biorefinery by adapting existing facilities of the Dutch cooperative Avebe, converting the juice into medium-chain fatty acids through fermentation and microbial chain elongation. The aim is to cut Europe's reliance on fossil-based chemicals and palm oil products while strengthening local, circular value chains. The project will also assess sustainability impacts and market potential, with a view to replicating the approach in other European countries.

Products, Consumption & CircularRead more at Jornal PT Green ↗

Needs attention

Portugal's aviation emissions up 19% since 2019, Zero says

The environmental association Zero says pollutant emissions from aviation in Portugal have risen by 19% since 2019. The group warns that plans to expand airport capacity in Lisbon and Porto could undermine efforts to decarbonise the sector. Zero also notes that Portugal still lacks an adopted roadmap for reducing aviation emissions, raising concerns about how growth in air traffic will be reconciled with climate goals.

Energy, Water & MobilityRead more at The Portugal News ↗ View project: ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável →

Porto hails "promising" start to VCI truck ban as hauliers count costs

Porto's mobility councillor Hugo Beirão says early data on the heavy-vehicle ban on the VCI, in force since Tuesday, are "promising", and predicts hauliers' complaints will fade "within days". Trucks over 3,500kg must now use the CREP/A41 instead, adding up to 57km per trip according to operator Luís Simões. In the first three days, police recorded 27 infractions. Haulage firms Luís Simões and Torrestir warn of higher fuel costs, bureaucratic strain from the new authorisation platform, and potential knock-on effects for consumer prices, though both say they will comply with the rules.

NorteEnergy, Water & MobilityMore on this story →

Cities, housing and how we move

Braga's Casa dos Crivos reopens as accessible municipal gallery

The Casa dos Crivos, a landmark building on Rua de S. Marcos in Braga, has reopened to the public following a renovation costing around 800,000 euros in municipal investment. The refurbished building now functions as an inclusive municipal gallery, with a newly installed lift providing access to the upper floors for people with reduced mobility. Braga's mayor, João Rodrigues, described the project as a model for the rehabilitation of the city's historic centre.

NorteConstruction & HousingRead more at Diário do Minho ↗

Domus marks 30 years by handing over new homes in Braga

The Domus - Dignificar a Habitação association marked its 30th anniversary by handing over newly renovated homes in the Tadim parish, Braga. The event celebrated the completion of the restoration of a former carpentry building on Travessa da Ilha, converted after three years of structural rehabilitation works into new residential units. The project includes four three-bedroom apartments intended for families, part of Domus's longstanding work housing and integrating refugees and vulnerable Portuguese citizens.

NorteConstruction & HousingRead more at Diário do Minho ↗

Porto Santo's Penedo do Sono to become coliving space

The Penedo do Sono complex on Porto Santo's seafront, long tied to a stalled project for restaurants and nightlife, is being repurposed for coliving use. Documents from the Sociedade de Desenvolvimento do Porto Santo describe the site as nine two-storey terraced modules originally built for that tourism-oriented restaurant and entertainment offer, part of a wider plan to upgrade the area. That original use never materialised, and the buildings are now set for a different function centred on shared, long-term accommodation.

MadeiraConstruction & HousingRead more at JM Madeira ↗

Funchal parking shortfall claim is imprecise, analysis finds

Funchal had 87,681 insured vehicles in 2025, prompting claims that parking is insufficient. Comparing council data (18,045 public spaces as of April 2026) with 2021 census figures on home parking (a minimum of 57,300 spaces combined) leaves a gap of over 30,000. However, this figure excludes private garages, company and hotel parking, and some street spaces, while not all insured vehicles are in Funchal simultaneously and many outside vehicles enter daily. The analysis concludes the arithmetic gap does not prove an actual parking shortage.

MadeiraEnergy, Water & MobilityRead more at Diário de Notícias da Madeira ↗

Close to home

Braga hosts one of its largest Branc'Arte markets yet

One of the biggest editions ever of the Branc'Arte Market took place in Praça do Município, in the centre of Braga, as part of European Mobility Week. The event brought together around 70 exhibitors, many of them artisans, showcasing work linked to circular economy and solidarity initiatives. The market forms part of the city's broader mobility-themed programming for the week.

NorteProducts, Consumption & CircularRead more at Diário do Minho ↗

Green Market sustainability fair debuts in Ribeira Brava

Ribeira Brava hosted the first edition of the Green Market this weekend, an event organised by Falésia Atelier to promote sustainability, conscious craftsmanship and regional products. Running from Saturday to Sunday, the free event brings food stalls, producers and entertainment to the town centre. Mayor Jorge Santos said the market boosts the local economy and raises awareness of sustainable choices, while Carlota Gouveia, of Falésia Atelier, called the launch a significant milestone for Green Market Madeira. The fair is open from midday to 8pm.

MadeiraProducts, Consumption & CircularMore on this story →

Quinta da Caldeira relaunches Saturday farm programme for children

The 'Sábados na Quinta' programme returns on 10 October, opening the 2026/2027 school year activities at Quinta da Caldeira, run in partnership with CRESCER – Centro de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Infantil. Aimed at children aged 5 to 13, it runs every Saturday from 15:30 to 18:30, combining play, contact with nature and animals, and horse riding, guided by a team specialised in neurodevelopment. Each session has its own theme, communicated in advance to families. Participation costs €80 monthly, €40 fortnightly or €30 per single session, including snack and insurance.

Education & Eco-tourismRead more at JM Madeira ↗
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