The European Commission has highlighted in a review published today on the enforcement of environmental laws that the European Union (EU) funding has “significantly contributed to improving the implementation of environmental legislation and policy in Portugal.”
However, the institution notes, “Portugal continues to face considerable environmental challenges and investment needs,” specifying that “the investment deficit to meet Portugal’s environmental goals is estimated at 1.6 billion euros per year, representing 0.65% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is below the EU average of 0.77%, with most of the need in biodiversity and ecosystems.”
This regular report on the implementation of environmental legislation by countries, which raises awareness of the importance of EU environmental rules, sees the European Commission acknowledging that Portugal “continues to face considerable environmental challenges and investment needs, particularly in water and waste management, nature protection, air quality, and legislative enforcement.”
Specifically, according to the European Commission, the country “needs more efforts to improve waste management and develop the potential of the circular economy,” noting that “it did not meet the EU goal of recycling 50% of urban waste by 2020 and is at high risk of not fulfilling the new EU waste targets for 2025.”
Concerning pollution, there is a noted need for further investment in infrastructure to improve water management, particularly in the collection and treatment of wastewater, reducing leaks in networks, general water supply, monitoring water quality and quantity, as well as the application of nature-based solutions and river restoration.
Portugal also “needs to adopt management plans for its Natura 2000 sites, identifying specific conservation objectives and measures for each site and providing the necessary technical, human, and financial resources,” the report states.
Positively, the European Commission highlights the national strategic plan for water supply, wastewater, and stormwater management, as well as the new national water strategy.
The estimated costs of not applying EU environmental legislation through air and water pollution, nature degradation, and waste amount to 180 billion euros per year for the entire EU.
This represents approximately 1% of the EU’s GDP.
The European Commission has made several EU funds available to member states to cover their investment needs, which amount to about 122 billion euros per year, in environmental goals and priorities.
