Quercus sets out five priorities for COP31 in Antalya as Paris Agreement turns ten
Ahead of the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, running until 20 November, environmental group Quercus sets out what it wants delivered. It says a decade without real progress on the Paris Agreement exposes the limits of non-binding negotiations. Its five priorities are a just-transition mechanism funded by grants rather than loans, tripling adaptation finance by 2035, honouring commitments to the loss-and-damage fund, a timetable to end fossil fuels, and a shift in the agri-food sector. Quercus also wants the EU and Portugal to lead, with community-based renewable energy preferred.
Commission opens public consultation on product repair rules until February 2027
The European Commission has asked citizens, businesses and repair professionals what stands in the way of fixing products. It is looking at access to spare parts, technical repair information, software and firmware requirements, ease of disassembly, and possible repair ratings or point-of-sale information. Replies are open until 9 February 2027 and will feed an impact assessment for a possible delegated act under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, expected in 2027. Products covered could include consumer electronics, e-bikes, some e-scooters and small household appliances, while items already under specific rules would be excluded.
Mar 2030 opens funding call for blue economy projects on five Azorean islands
A new call under the Mar 2030 programme, Aviso MAR2030-2026-34, will fund projects meant to make the sea a driver of sustainable development in the Azores. It covers areas served by the ADELIAÇOR MAR local action group: São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo. Fishers, microenterprises, sailing clubs, marine-science non-profits, municipalities and fire brigades can apply. Funded work ranges from blue tourism and seafood processing to youth training, ocean literacy, coastal safety and preserving maritime heritage such as whaling and tuna fishing. Applications close at 18:00 on 30 December 2026 via the Balcão dos Fundos portal.
Algarve 2030 to train funding recipients in climate-proofing and emissions calculation
The ALGARVE 2030 regional programme will hold a training session on 20 November at the University of Algarve's Gambelas campus, from 9.30am to 1pm. It is aimed at recipients of EU funds and covers the Climate Proofing methodology and the greenhouse gas emissions calculator. The session sits within the training cycle of the Climate Action and Sustainability Network, run with Sustentável 2030. It will present the technical guidance, live demonstrations of the tools, case examples and time for debate and questions. Beneficiaries of the programme can register through an online form.
Sociedade Ponto Verde marks 30 years with a Lisbon packaging recycling conference
The Sociedade Ponto Verde, Portugal's packaging waste management body, is holding a one-day conference on 19 November at the Técnico Innovation Center in Lisbon as part of its 30th-anniversary programme. Company representatives, public bodies, researchers and startups will discuss ecodesign, artificial intelligence, waste collection and treatment, and how partnerships can speed up the circular economy. Speakers include the heads of the Portuguese Environment Agency, the water and waste regulator ERSAR and the waste operator EGF, alongside packaging specialists from Nestlé Portugal, Sonae and Logoplaste. The anniversary programme also includes a 12-episode web series on the history of packaging recycling in Portugal.
Portugal's agriculture planning office attends UN food security committee session in Rome
Portugal's Office for Planning, Policies and General Administration (GPP) took part in the 54th session of the UN Committee on World Food Security, held at FAO in Rome from 19 to 23 October 2026. Delegates discussed the global state of food security and nutrition, closer international coordination on food crises, more resilient food systems, the role of artificial intelligence and digitalisation, and the traditional food systems and knowledge of indigenous peoples. The GPP also joined a side event run by the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries on sustainable food systems, sharing policy experience with other Portuguese-speaking states. The office says its presence reinforces Portugal's commitment to the 2030 Agenda.
Planning office publishes monthly analysis of Portugal's agri-food, forestry and fisheries trade
The GPP, the agriculture ministry's planning and policy office, has released its monthly analysis of international trade in goods, this time covering September. It draws on figures published by the national statistics institute, INE, for agri-food, forestry and forest industry, and fisheries and aquaculture. The data are broken down in three ways: by national accounts branches of activity, by broad economic categories, and by product using the combined nomenclature. The analysis is part of the GPP's work to support policy decisions and is available on its website.
