The Minister of Environment and Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho presented at the sectoral discussion in Parliament on 24 April the stock-taking of two years in Government and the priorities for climate action, energy, water resources, and biodiversity.

“The two years in Government focused on execution, resilience, and sustainability”, Maria da Graça Carvalho claimed, noting the measures already materialised, the initiatives under way, and the priorities for the near future.

In climate action, the Minister of Environment and Energy noted the creation of the Climate Agency, the approval of the National Energy and Climate Plan, and launching the Voluntary Carbon Market. Among the next priorities are operationalising the Social Fund for Climate, the National Climate Change Adaptation Agency and the new assistance to purchase electric vehicles, which is to begin in May or June.

As for water resources, Maria da Graça Carvalho confirmed the start of the works on the Algarve desalination plant and the bid for the Sines desalination plant. The Minister also noted the investments in the Alentejo region, such as building the Pisão dam and extending to the rest of the country the water efficiency commitment taken on with the tourism sector in the Algarve.

Regarding biodiversity, the Minister noted the work in protected marine areas. Maria da Graça Carvalho also announced a new programme to protect the Iberian lynx, which will be launched on 2 May, and the presentation of the National Nature Restoration Plan by 1 September.

During her speech, Maria da Graça Carvalho informed that 130 interventions have been identified to carry out in the coastal areas due to the storms this winter, 86 of which will be completed before the start of the beach season, and also announced an initiative to restore nature in urban areas, which will move forward with pilot projects in the cities of Vila Real, Leiria, São João da Madeira, Beja, and Évora.