Climate Change

PORTUGAL 2011

Portugal’s environmental progress has improved but faces challenges due to the difficult economic situation. There are also opportunities to better integrate economic and environmental policies. Environmental policies have been consolidated and strengthened… …but more could be done to involve the public constructively in environmental decision-making… …and to create better incentives for private sector engagement on the environment. 140

120 1995 = 100

140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003

Environmental Performance Reviews

highlights

PORTUGAL’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS HAS IMPROVED BUT FACES CHALLENGES DUE TO THE DIFFICULT ECONOMIC SITUATION

I

n the decade since 2000, Portugal’s economy has grown at a relatively modest rate compared with other OECD countries. A switch from fossil fuels to renewables in the energy mix, and a significant strengthening of environmental policies and institutions have enabled Portugal to improve the environmental quality of its people’s lives (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Air pollution, climate and biodiversity

Air and climate, 1995-2008

CO2 emissionsd GDP

Municipal waste generation, 1995-2008 1995=100

Threatened species, 2010

Private consumption

NOx emissions

total number of known species 103 291 49 37 18 F

Mammals Birds Fish

Portugal has made good use of the 100 opportunities provided by the membership 80 of the European Union.

60 40 20 0 1995

Municipal wasteĐ

GDP

w

SOx emissions

Reptiles Amphibians

Meeting the post-Kyoto targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will be challenging. Renewable energy plays an important role in Portugal’s energy and climate policies… …but more should be done to reduce demand for energy and emissions from transport.

2005

2007

0 Threateneda

25

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

50 %%

75 Not threatened

100

Innovative policies have been introduced for coastal zone and marine management,...