Environmental Sustainability
#11Key Findings
Portugal falls into the sample’s upper-middle ranks (rank 11) in the category of environmental sustainability.
The country has made faster-than-expected strides in decarbonizing its energy systems. It is thus on track to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with a Climate Change Performance Index rating above the EU average.
Portugal has aligned its policies with European climate standards, and has developed national and sectoral adaptation strategies to enhance climate resilience. A recent large-scale biodiversity study revealed challenges in achieving Portugal’s biodiversity conservation goals. Issues include poor coordination between sectors and ministries, lack of data access, underfunding, and limited private sector involvement.
The country participates actively in global efforts to address climate change. Its international activities have focused especially on migration and ocean health.
The country has made faster-than-expected strides in decarbonizing its energy systems. It is thus on track to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with a Climate Change Performance Index rating above the EU average.
Portugal has aligned its policies with European climate standards, and has developed national and sectoral adaptation strategies to enhance climate resilience. A recent large-scale biodiversity study revealed challenges in achieving Portugal’s biodiversity conservation goals. Issues include poor coordination between sectors and ministries, lack of data access, underfunding, and limited private sector involvement.
The country participates actively in global efforts to address climate change. Its international activities have focused especially on migration and ocean health.
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How committed is the government to the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
The Climate Change Performance Index 2023 (CCPI), an independent monitoring tool that evaluates countries’ efforts in climate protection across categories such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, renewable energy, energy utilization, and climate policy, serves as a vital instrument for assessing the implementation of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5ºC. Portugal holds a notably favorable position in the CCPI, securing the 14th spot out of 63 countries with a score of 61.55, surpassing the EU27 average.
Moreover, Portugal anticipates that its current policies will result in emissions falling below the set limits by 2030, primarily due to a significant reduction in emissions within the energy supply sector since 2005. This positions the country on track to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Citations:
European Environment Agency (EEA). 2023. “Trends and Projections in Europe 2023.” https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/trends-and-projections-in-europe-2023
Climate Change Performance Index 2023. 2023. https://ccpi.org/wp-content/uploads/CCPI-2023-Results-3.pdf
Moreover, Portugal anticipates that its current policies will result in emissions falling below the set limits by 2030, primarily due to a significant reduction in emissions within the energy supply sector since 2005. This positions the country on track to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Citations:
European Environment Agency (EEA). 2023. “Trends and Projections in Europe 2023.” https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/trends-and-projections-in-europe-2023
Climate Change Performance Index 2023. 2023. https://ccpi.org/wp-content/uploads/CCPI-2023-Results-3.pdf
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How committed is the government to protecting the public from environmental health risks?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
Between 2005 and 2022, Portugal actively aligned its policy instruments with European climate resilience standards. In recent years, the country has developed a comprehensive national and sectoral adaptation strategy (NAS and NAP), utilizing various reports (RAPs) for effective implementation.
The incorporation of Climate Risk Assessments into overarching adaptation governance frameworks is grounded in sectoral impact analyses outlined in monitoring reports. Like Greece, Portugal is committed to producing a comprehensive economic estimate of climate change damage and costs, enhancing sectoral evaluations of climate change impacts.
Furthermore, in line with several EU member states, Portugal aims to enact climate laws, demonstrating a political dedication to environmental protection and, consequently, public health. This commitment enhances the significance of adaptation policies, promoting a more coherent and coordinated implementation approach.
Citations:
European Environment Agency (EEA). 2022. “Advancing towards climate resilience in Europe – Status of reported national adaptation actions in 2021.” https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/advancing-towards-climate-resilience-in-europe
The incorporation of Climate Risk Assessments into overarching adaptation governance frameworks is grounded in sectoral impact analyses outlined in monitoring reports. Like Greece, Portugal is committed to producing a comprehensive economic estimate of climate change damage and costs, enhancing sectoral evaluations of climate change impacts.
Furthermore, in line with several EU member states, Portugal aims to enact climate laws, demonstrating a political dedication to environmental protection and, consequently, public health. This commitment enhances the significance of adaptation policies, promoting a more coherent and coordinated implementation approach.
Citations:
European Environment Agency (EEA). 2022. “Advancing towards climate resilience in Europe – Status of reported national adaptation actions in 2021.” https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/advancing-towards-climate-resilience-in-europe
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How committed is the government to preserving ecosystems and protecting biodiversity?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
In response to the complex challenge of preserving and protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, the Portuguese government initiated and funded a comprehensive biodiversity study titled “Biodiversity 2030: A New Agenda for Conservation in the Context of Climate Change.” Conducted between 2020 and 2022, this study represents a pivotal step in understanding the country’s biodiversity landscape. It revealed significant weaknesses that impede Portugal’s ability to achieve the goals outlined in the National Strategy for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity 2030, especially in the context of the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030.
The study identified several challenges, including a lack of effective intersectorial and interministerial coordination, difficulties in accessing relevant data, chronic underfunding of public conservation policies, and limited involvement of the private sector in biodiversity financing (Araújo et al., 2022). These issues underscore the need for concerted efforts to address systemic shortcomings and enhance the overall effectiveness of environmental policies in safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity.
While several biogeographical areas in Portugal, other EU member states, and the Alps region showcase commendable conservation efforts, challenges persist in certain regions. Some areas in Portugal face unfavorable conditions, indicating a lack of progress in the specific field under analysis.
Citations:
EEA Report No 10/2020. State of nature in the EU Results from reporting under the nature directives 2013-2018. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/state-of-nature-in-the-eu-2020
Araújo, M.B., Antunes, S., Gonçalves, E.J., Oliveira, R., Santos, S., and Sousa Pinto, I. 2022. Biodiversidade 2030: Nova agenda para a conservação em contexto de alterações climáticas. Lisboa: Universidade de Évora & Fundo Ambiental, Ministério do Ambiente e da Ação Climática. https://www.dropbox.com/s/iq6d3easnr77cdn/Biodiversidade%202030%20-%20Vol%201.pdf?dl=0
The study identified several challenges, including a lack of effective intersectorial and interministerial coordination, difficulties in accessing relevant data, chronic underfunding of public conservation policies, and limited involvement of the private sector in biodiversity financing (Araújo et al., 2022). These issues underscore the need for concerted efforts to address systemic shortcomings and enhance the overall effectiveness of environmental policies in safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity.
While several biogeographical areas in Portugal, other EU member states, and the Alps region showcase commendable conservation efforts, challenges persist in certain regions. Some areas in Portugal face unfavorable conditions, indicating a lack of progress in the specific field under analysis.
Citations:
EEA Report No 10/2020. State of nature in the EU Results from reporting under the nature directives 2013-2018. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/state-of-nature-in-the-eu-2020
Araújo, M.B., Antunes, S., Gonçalves, E.J., Oliveira, R., Santos, S., and Sousa Pinto, I. 2022. Biodiversidade 2030: Nova agenda para a conservação em contexto de alterações climáticas. Lisboa: Universidade de Évora & Fundo Ambiental, Ministério do Ambiente e da Ação Climática. https://www.dropbox.com/s/iq6d3easnr77cdn/Biodiversidade%202030%20-%20Vol%201.pdf?dl=0
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To what extent is the government committed and credible in designing and promoting global environmental protection regimes and policies?
10
9
9
Government policy and institutions are fully aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
8
7
6
7
6
Government policy and institutions are largely aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
5
4
3
4
3
Government policy and institutions are somewhat aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
2
1
1
Government policy and institutions are not at all aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
The Portuguese government is committed to formulating policies that contribute to global environmental sustainability, a fundamental challenge outlined in the 2030 Agenda. To promote sustainable development, the government has established a new interinstitutional mechanism and a control structure to monitor the agenda’s implementation. Internally, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers oversees and monitors the 2030 Agenda, while external coordination is managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This control structure integrates these two government areas, bringing together various governmental and social organizations (Jornal de Negócios, 2023).
The translation of these efforts into concrete action remains to be seen. As highlighted in the National Voluntary Report, public policy planning has gradually incorporated the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs since 2017. However, most public policy instruments do not explicitly reference these frameworks.
Portugal has made significant commitments to addressing climate change in the international community, particularly through active participation in various United Nations conferences. Additionally, its role as the “Champion Country” of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration and its political dedication to the Second United Nations Conference on the Oceans exemplify Portugal’s active engagement on the global stage.
Citations:
Jornal de Negócios. 2023. “Para onde caminha o país no roteiro da sustentabilidade?” Jornal de Negócios https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/sustentabilidade/detalhe/20230920-0934-para-onde-caminha-o-pais-no-roteiro-da-sustentabilidade
Voluntary National Review Portugal. 2023. “Voluntary National Review Portugal.” https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/vnrs/2023/Portugal_VNR_Report.pdf
The translation of these efforts into concrete action remains to be seen. As highlighted in the National Voluntary Report, public policy planning has gradually incorporated the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs since 2017. However, most public policy instruments do not explicitly reference these frameworks.
Portugal has made significant commitments to addressing climate change in the international community, particularly through active participation in various United Nations conferences. Additionally, its role as the “Champion Country” of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration and its political dedication to the Second United Nations Conference on the Oceans exemplify Portugal’s active engagement on the global stage.
Citations:
Jornal de Negócios. 2023. “Para onde caminha o país no roteiro da sustentabilidade?” Jornal de Negócios https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/sustentabilidade/detalhe/20230920-0934-para-onde-caminha-o-pais-no-roteiro-da-sustentabilidade
Voluntary National Review Portugal. 2023. “Voluntary National Review Portugal.” https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/vnrs/2023/Portugal_VNR_Report.pdf