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Environment

Environmental news, climate policy, and sustainability in Portugal.

A dark data-centre aisle lined with server racks and coloured network cabling, representing a large computing facility

Azambuja Rejects National-Interest Status for a €2 Billion Data Center, Citing Irreversible Impacts

The council of Azambuja has delivered an unfavourable opinion on national-interest status for a €2 billion data centre planned by the French developer Neoen in Alcoentre, warning of 'irreversible impacts' and the lack of any environmental study. The site would demand heavy water, power and land for

The Portugal Brief 08 Aug 2026

A yellow Italian Civil Protection Canadair firefighting aircraft dropping a plume of water over a hillside, illustrating the aerial reinforcements sent to Portugal

Portugal Calls In Foreign Water Bombers as Dozens of Councils Hit Maximum Fire Risk

Three extra firefighting aircraft were dispatched to Portugal from Italy and Spain under the European Civil Protection Mechanism as more than forty municipalities reached the highest fire-risk band. Over 15,000 hectares had burned in five days, and a rural fire in Fornos de Algodres drew 350 firefig

The Portugal Brief 08 Aug 2026

A dry, sun-baked plain of golden stubble and scattered cork oaks in Portugal's Alentejo during the summer drought

Mainland Portugal Enters Meteorological Drought After Its Driest July of the Century

The whole of mainland Portugal has entered meteorological drought after the driest July so far this century, IPMA data show, with rainfall under 8% of normal, a heat wave among the fiercest since 1981 and 44.3C recorded at Mora. Here is what it means as the fire season peaks.

The Portugal Brief 07 Aug 2026

Satellite view of the Alqueva reservoir in the Alentejo, with an inset showing EDP's existing floating solar array

EDP Abandons Its Giant Floating Solar Project on the Alqueva Reservoir

EDP has scrapped the 154 MW 'Great Lake Hybrid Plant' once billed as the world's largest floating solar facility, citing weaker economics since its 2022 award and the environment agency's rejection of the wind connection over vulture habitats. A smaller Alqueva pilot remains.

The Portugal Brief 07 Aug 2026

A yellow-and-silver Metro do Porto light-rail vehicle emerges from a tunnel onto street-level tracks

Porto's New Metro Line to Gondomar Would Fell Up to 533 Trees and Clear 24 Buildings, Its Environmental Study Shows

Metro do Porto's environmental study for the 6.9km Gondomar extension counts up to 533 trees felled — including 89 protected cork oaks — and 24 buildings demolished. Public consultation runs to 15 September.

The Portugal Brief 06 Aug 2026

Plastic Makes Up Nearly Nine in Ten Items Logged on Portugal's Monitored Beaches, APA's Marine-Litter Report Shows

Plastic Makes Up Nearly Nine in Ten Items Logged on Portugal's Monitored Beaches, APA's Marine-Litter Report Shows

APA's marine-litter survey of 15 mainland beaches found plastic makes up almost nine in ten items collected, with cigarette butts the fastest-rising piece of litter and beachgoers the biggest single source.

The Portugal Brief 05 Aug 2026

A parched Portuguese landscape after wildfire near Pedrogao Grande, with charred pine trees, dry dusty ground and a road under a hot clear sky

A Heatwave Drives Almost the Entire Mainland to Maximum Fire Danger This Week

Every northern and central district plus Faro sits at maximum fire risk on Monday, with IPMA yellow warnings almost nationwide through Tuesday evening. Highs of 40°C are forecast for Santarém and Évora, and the elevated danger is expected to last all week.

The Portugal Brief 03 Aug 2026

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