Pulse

21 September 2026

Good morning. Today Portugal is treading grapes barefoot in the Douro and arguing over what a protected landscape is worth — with rivers, bottles and a few very good apples in between.

Land, and who decides what happens to it

Writer warns of push to abolish Sintra-Cascais Natural Park

An opinion piece by Nuno Gomes Oliveira warns that, for the first time, someone has openly proposed abolishing a protected area in Portugal — the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park — in order to open the land to urban development. The author frames this as an unprecedented threat to the country's system of protected areas, describing it as a step he was reluctant to write about. The piece signals concern over growing pressure to weaken environmental protections in favour of construction and development interests.

Lisbon Ecosystems & Biodiversity Read more at Público ↗

Opinion piece calls for landscape-based approach to forests

In an opinion article, landscape architect Miguel Jerónimo, coordinator of GEOTA's Renature projects, argues that Portugal's forest problems cannot be solved through forestry policy alone. He contends that fires, water scarcity, biodiversity loss and low agricultural productivity all stem from fragmented, sector-based management of land that ignores how landscapes function as integrated systems. Rather than adding new strategies or programmes, he calls for policies on agriculture, water, nature conservation and spatial planning to converge around a shared vision of landscape as one interdependent whole.

Ecosystems & Biodiversity More on this story → View project: GEOTA →

Portugal revises Espichel-Odeceixe coastal plan after beach access checks

Portugal's Environment Ministry has published an order revising the Espichel-Odeceixe Coastal Programme, four years after its approval, to reassess beach classification, access and parking along the 220km stretch. The change follows July 2025 inspections by the environment agency APA into beach accessibility across 45km of Grândola municipality, between Troia and Melides. The revision aims to balance public access to beaches with protection of sensitive ecosystems, and to fix regulatory inconsistencies. APA will lead the process, with an advisory commission including regional authorities and six affected municipalities, and must complete the work, including an environmental assessment, within twelve months.

Alentejo Ecosystems & Biodiversity More on this story → View project: ICNF - Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas →

Portugal debates agrivoltaics as farmland-energy trade-off narrative persists

A discussion is unfolding in Portugal over agrivoltaics, the practice of combining farming and solar energy production on the same land. The debate has largely framed agriculture and energy generation as activities that compete for the same territory, rather than as potentially complementary uses. The piece pushes back on that framing, suggesting the two can coexist.

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

Miranda do Douro wins €1.4 million to upgrade Douro International Park

The municipality of Miranda do Douro has had a funding application approved worth €1.4 million to protect and enhance the Douro International Natural Park (PNDI). The announcement confirms the financing but gives no further detail on the source of the funds or the specific works planned. The park straddles the border with Spain along the Douro river and is valued for its landscape and biodiversity. Further details on the timeline and scope of the improvements are expected to follow.

Norte Ecosystems & Biodiversity Read more at The Portugal News ↗

Water, waste and the circular loop

Government and Lisbon clash over Volta bottle-return scheme

Some people are earning income by collecting bottles and cans for Portugal's Volta deposit-return scheme, with reports of up to 40 euros refunded in a single day, equivalent to 400 containers. This has fuelled a political dispute: Lisbon mayor Carlos Moedas asked the government to scrap Volta immediately, blaming it for street litter and social problems, while Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho refused, arguing homelessness and poverty exist independently of the scheme. She cited EU obligations and results, including 304 million bottles returned and a 44% plastic bottle return rate, above the government's year-end target, and said dedicated collection points are among the solutions being studied.

Lisbon Products, Consumption & Circular More on this story →

Murça weighs deposit scheme to collect household cooking oil

An opinion piece prompted by a proposal in the Murça municipality (Portugal) to give families a reusable two-litre olive oil bottle to collect used cooking oil at home. The author notes Portugal recovers little household cooking oil compared with its estimated production, citing 908 tonnes collected by municipalities in 2023 versus roughly 750 tonnes collected annually by McDonald's Portugal alone. With used cooking oil trading at around 1,280-1,290 euros per tonne and usable for biodiesel and renewable fuels, the piece argues households should receive some value for returning it, similar to the Volta deposit scheme for bottles, and notes parliament has already recognised the need to improve domestic collection.

Norte Products, Consumption & Circular Read more at Voz do Campo ↗

Beja hosts national congress on future of irrigation water

Beja will host the 11th National Congress on Irrigation and Drainage from 30 September to 2 October, organised by the COTR, bringing together politicians, farmers, businesses and researchers. The event responds to projections that, under the worst climate scenario, irrigation water needs could rise by up to 27.5% between 2071 and 2100. The programme includes the opening by the Minister of Agriculture and Sea, an interview with José Macário Correia of AdP AQUA, and presentations on the national water-efficiency barometer, artificial intelligence in irrigation management, and a soil-monitoring study on the Alqueva irrigation blocks.

Alentejo Energy, Water & Mobility More on this story →

Pombal launches €1m river repair works after 2026 storms

Pombal council is starting works worth around €1 million to clear and stabilise the Arunca River and the Carnide stream, damaged by severe weather in January and February 2026. The works, funded through a €2.7 million Fundo Ambiental agreement, cover about 22.5km of the Arunca, benefiting over 24,000 residents, and 37km of the Carnide's network, serving more than 31,000 people. Contractors will remove debris, correct erosion and repair damaged access paths. The council is holding two public information sessions on 22 September for landowners bordering the affected watercourses.

Centro Ecosystems & Biodiversity More on this story →

University shows how to grow food using mattress foam

Researcher Anthony Ryan presented a method that reuses foam from mattresses, which would otherwise end up in landfill, to help grow food. The solution was unveiled on Tuesday at the University of Aveiro. It is aimed particularly at refugee camps, where growing conditions are often difficult and resources limited. The approach offers a way to turn waste material into a practical farming aid in settings with scarce land and infrastructure.

Centro Food & Agriculture Read more at Diário de Aveiro ↗

Growing it, selling it, keeping it alive

Locust bean gum faces cheaper rivals in global market

An analysis of Portugal's carob sector, which supplies about a quarter of Mediterranean production, mostly from the Algarve, explains why prices paid to farmers depend on locust bean gum (LBG), the additive extracted from carob seed endosperm. LBG's thickening and gelling properties make it valuable for food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, but cheaper substitutes such as guar gum, tara gum and xanthan gum compete for the same uses. Price spikes in 2020-2022 pushed manufacturers toward these alternatives, and LBG prices later fell 90%, which the analysis links to today's low prices paid to producers, even as forecasts point to renewed demand.

Algarve Food & Agriculture Read more at Jornal do Algarve ↗

JPP calls for concrete support for Ponta do Pargo apple growers

At the 41st Festa do Pêro in Ponta do Pargo, Madeira, JPP municipal representative Porfírio Santos highlighted the difficulties faced by apple growers, including high production costs, irrigation problems, fire damage and constraints in selling their produce. He said public support must move from words to concrete measures, such as orchard recovery, incentives for new planting and better irrigation. Santos also warned that the Quinta Pedagógica dos Prazeres, which processes local apples into jams and cider, is at risk because a promised one million euro investment from the Regional Government and Calheta municipality, announced in 2022, has never materialised.

Madeira Food & Agriculture Read more at Diário de Notícias da Madeira ↗

Guarda breeders seek native status for Jarmelista goat

A local association in the Guarda region is pursuing technical work to secure official recognition of the Jarmelista goat as a native breed. The animal is described as rare and resilient, and has been raised in the surrounding mountains for generations. Formal recognition would grant the lineage official protected status, helping preserve it and support the breeders who maintain it.

Centro Food & Agriculture Read more at Agroportal ↗

Homes and getting around

New Albufeira cooperative reports hundreds seeking affordable housing

Albarda, CRL, a housing cooperative formally created on 31 August 2026 in Albufeira, says an online survey drew interest from hundreds of local families within 48 hours of launching, and remains open. Preliminary results show 96% of respondents live and work in Albufeira, 90% are employed, and most need two- or three-bedroom homes. The cooperative proposes building cost-controlled housing on municipal land ceded under surface rights, financed by members themselves rather than the state. It says the model won unanimous backing from candidates in the last local elections and is now discussing project scale with the Albufeira council.

Algarve Construction & Housing Read more at Barlavento ↗

Almeirim council approves plan for 566 homes by 2036

The Almeirim City Council has approved a Municipal Housing Charter setting out plans to build 566 housing units by 2036. Of these, 306 would be developed directly by the municipality, while the remaining 260 would be built through partnerships with housing and construction cooperatives. The document establishes the framework guiding the town's housing development over the coming years.

Centro Construction & Housing Read more at The Portugal News ↗

Madeira hands over 15 controlled-cost homes in Jardim da Serra

The President of the Regional Government of Madeira is handing over 15 new controlled-cost homes at Fonte Frade, in Jardim da Serra, at a ceremony scheduled for 11am. The project represents an investment of 3.3 million euros. The handover is one of several items on the regional government's agenda for the day, which also includes a visit to the ISOPlexis sustainable agriculture centre and the signing of a cooperation agreement between Savoy Signature and the MARE-Madeira marine sciences centre.

Madeira Construction & Housing Read more at Diário de Notícias da Madeira ↗

Aveiro and Ílhavo councils discuss joint cycling link

Ílhavo's council is using European Mobility Week, running until 22 September, to push forward plans for a cycling link connecting the town to Aveiro. On 21 September, at the Escola Secundária da Gafanha da Nazaré, the mayors of both municipalities, Rui Dias and Luís Souto, will discuss intermunicipal cycling mobility projects, focusing on the connection between the two councils. The event will also highlight the GafBikeLab project, which involves the school community in building and promoting new forms of mobility.

Centro Energy, Water & Mobility Read more at Diário de Aveiro ↗

Marinha Grande to rebuild Parque das Merendas and cycle path

The Marinha Grande council is planning a cycle path linking Pedreanes to São Pedro de Moel, the mayor announced at the last Municipal Assembly session. The project includes widening the road, replanting native trees and building a dedicated cycle lane, which is expected to connect to the existing path at Gaeiras. It also involves restoring Parque das Merendas, a recreational park devastated by storm Kristin.

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

Alentejo 2030 opens €13.3m in school renovation funding

The Alentejo 2030 programme has launched two funding calls worth nearly €13.3 million for municipalities to renovate schools and kindergartens across the region, financed by the European Regional Development Fund with co-financing of up to 85%. Of this, €11.4 million targets basic and secondary school infrastructure, while €1.89 million is earmarked for pre-school facilities. Within the pre-school allocation, Baixo Alentejo receives €734,686, Lezíria do Tejo nearly €796,000, Alentejo Central over €310,000, and Alentejo Litoral about €50,000. Municipal councils must submit projects, with application rounds running until late 2027.

Alentejo Construction & Housing Read more at Rádio Pax ↗

Close to home

Douro village turns grape-treading into tourist draw

The village of Celeirós do Douro, in Sabrosa, held its 14th traditional "lagarada", inviting tourists and locals to tread grapes barefoot in centuries-old granite wine presses. The free event, using grapes from the Douro Demarcated Region, is organised by the local parish council, Sabrosa municipality and the Sabrosa Douro XXI association. Organisers say it preserves winemaking traditions increasingly replaced by mechanical fermentation, and honours small growers facing a difficult year selling their grapes. The event coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Alto Douro Vinhateiro's UNESCO listing and 260 years since the Douro Demarcated Region was created.

Norte Education & Eco-tourism More on this story →

Pêro apple festival marks 41st edition in Ponta do Pargo

The parish of Ponta do Pargo, in Madeira, is holding the 41st edition of the Festa do Pêro, a two-day event celebrating the local apple variety that gives the festival its name. The event began the previous day and concludes today, featuring activities focused on agriculture, local traditions and entertainment. The festival is an annual fixture that draws visitors to the parish each year.

Madeira Food & Agriculture Read more at JM Madeira ↗

Odemira launches week-long seafood dining event

Odemira's municipal council has launched a Seafood and Fish Gastronomic Week, running from Monday until Sunday 27 September, bringing together ten restaurants across the municipality. Participating venues in Zambujeira do Mar, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Almograve, Longueira, Amoreiras-Gare and Odemira will serve dishes such as clams à Bulhão Pato, fish stews, prawn açorda, cataplanas, seafood rice, grilled fish, oysters, lobster and crayfish. The event aims to promote coastal produce, showcase the municipality's culinary diversity and support local restaurants.

Alentejo Food & Agriculture Read more at Rádio Pax ↗

Castro Verde launches Biosphere Route, inviting Vidigueira first

Castro Verde's council is launching the Rota da Biosfera, a new initiative built around its status as a Biosphere Reserve, aimed at showcasing the municipality's landscape, heritage, culture and communities. The route starts on 27 September, with a delegation from Vidigueira visiting Castro Verde as the first invited municipality. Further exchanges with other Baixo Alentejo and national municipalities are planned throughout the year, each intended to promote Castro Verde's territory and build cooperation links. The council expects the initiative to boost tourism promotion and create new partnerships between municipalities.

Alentejo Education & Eco-tourism Read more at Rádio Pax ↗

Barcelos health unit to prescribe exercise for depression

The Local Health Unit of Barcelos and Esposende is launching AtivaMente, a project in which doctors will 'prescribe' activities such as walks, pilates, swimming and animal-assisted therapy instead of relying solely on medication to treat depression. Between 25 and 30 participants will be followed over 12 weeks alongside professionals from the Santo António Family Health Unit in Porto. Activities include sessions with two trained therapy dogs, Salvador and Lassie, aimed at boosting communication, self-esteem and confidence. The project will be evaluated at the end of the 12 weeks to assess its impact and define next steps.

Norte Health & Wellbeing Read more at Portugal Resident ↗

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