Portugal sets 49% renewable energy target for 2030 and approves air pollution programme
The Council of Ministers approved a package covering energy, air quality and shipping. A decree-law transposing the EU Renewable Energy Directive sets a goal of 49% renewable energy in national consumption by 2030, with indicative targets of 75% in buildings and 29% in transport. Ministers also adopted a National Air Pollution Control Programme, setting out how emissions will be cut over the next decade through measures in farming, industry, home heating and mobility. A third decree-law brings the EU's FuelEU Maritime rules into national law, naming a maritime authority to enforce them, with fine revenue earmarked for cleaner port fuels and shore power.
ZERO says 2027 state budget fails to treat environment as a strategic priority
Environmental association ZERO has criticised the government's proposed 2027 state budget, saying it wastes a chance to speed up the ecological transition. It points to roughly 2,375 million euros a year in Environment and Energy spending for 2028–2030, which it reads as planned stagnation. Its main complaints are the lack of a path to end fossil fuel subsidies by 2030, only five million euros for decarbonisation and mobility, and no instruments to make packaging producers bear the EU plastics levy. It also notes missing funding for wildfire-prevention projects and for water infrastructure works.
€4.7m in cohesion funds to prepare Portugal's coastal protection works
The Sustentável 2030 programme will make €4.7 million available from the Cohesion Fund for studies, projects and monitoring ahead of priority coastal protection work. Up to 85% of eligible costs can be covered, with applications due between October 2026 and January 2027 through the Portuguese Environment Agency. The money covers data on beaches, dunes, nearshore seabeds and cliffs, plus risk assessments and protection plans for coasts and estuaries. Projects must fit the Litoral XXI action plan or its successor, and apply in the Norte, Centro, Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve regions. It funds technical preparation only, not the building of defences.
Germany and Ireland set criminal penalties for deforestation rule breaches while Portugal has no enforcement law
The EU deforestation regulation applies from 30 December to coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil, rubber, cattle, timber and derived products, but each member state sets its own penalties. Germany's draft law foresees prison of up to five years, and Ireland's outline scheme up to three, with possible personal liability for managers. Portugal has published no implementing law and designated no authorities beyond forestry for timber. Penalties will spread through supply-chain contracts, reaching Portuguese exporters selling to German clients. The piece urges Portugal to name authorities, set proportionate sanctions, guide small firms and coordinate port checks with Spain.
PSD and PS strike deal on longer parental leave and continuous working day
The two largest parties in parliament, the Social Democrats (PSD) and the Socialists (PS), have reached an agreement to change the parental leave system. They also agreed to write a continuous working day into the Labour Code, a measure that would apply to employees in the private sector.
PSD and Chega block JPP bill on Madeira air refunds and ferry link
Parliament has rejected a bill from JPP deputy Filipe Sousa aimed at easing travel between Madeira and the mainland. It would have ended the need for residents to pay the full air fare upfront and wait for the public subsidy to be refunded, and would have set a 180-day deadline to start the tender for a regular passenger, vehicle and freight ferry. PSD voted against and Chega abstained, while PS, Livre, PCP, BE, PAN and JPP voted in favour. Sousa now wants Madeira's PSD deputies to explain their vote to the public, and calls it a missed opportunity.
Aveiro-Águeda road link tender extended to 16 November as several consortia show interest
The deadline for bids on the Aveiro-Águeda road axis has been pushed back to 16 November, with proposals to be opened the next day. The two municipalities running the tender made the change after companies asked for clarifications; several Portuguese and international consortia are said to be interested. The works carry a base price of about €109.3 million and a 950-day schedule. Funding remains unclear, however: the government's 2027 state budget proposal sets aside no money for the project next year, even though the infrastructure minister has said the government is fully committed to building it.
