Zero points faults and requires measures to meet climate targets

A environmental association Zero today defended five priorities to reduce emissions and meet climate targets, considering that the rise from Portugal to 11th place in a world index does not represent compliance with the commitments made.

In a reaction to the disclosure of the Climate Change Performance Index 2027 (CCPI), presented during the 31st United Nations climate conference (COP31), which takes place in Antalia, Turkey, Zero considers that Portugal must transform targets and strategies into effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, especially in the most difficult sectors.

Among the five priorities presented by Zero are the definition of a verifiable timetable to abandon oil and gas, the strengthening of public and rail transport and the expansion of renewable energy, with environmental safeguards.

The environmental association also advocated the entry into operation of the Climate Action Council, with independent funding and monitoring mechanisms, as well as the recovery of carbon absorption capacity of soils and forests and the reduction of methane emissions from landfills.

Zero considered that, despite the rise in a position in the CCPI, Portugal continues to present weaknesses in the implementation of climate policies and in the funding needed to achieve the defined objectives.

The index, which assesses the action of countries in the adaptation and mitigation of climate change, gives Portugal a ‘high’ global rating, but ‘average’ assessments in the four categories analysed: greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy use and climate policy.

The association highlights the weight of transport in national emissions, which represented 35.2% of the total in 2024, about 18.1 million tons of equivalent carbon dioxide.

In this area, Zero considers it a priority to reduce car dependence and to strengthen public transport, particularly rail.

As for energy, the organization warns of the persistence of dependence on gas and oil, although renewable sources represent 32.5% of the total primary energy supply in 2024.

Zero also points out that in 2024 forests and soils no longer absorb more carbon than they emit, contributing to national emissions, a situation associated with fires, eucalyptus monocultures and abandonment of rural territory.

Residues accounted for 10.9% of national greenhouse gas emissions in the same year, according to the Portuguese index profile, leading the association to defend the strengthening of selective collection, treatment of biowaste and methane capture in landfills.

Zero underlines that Portugal's 11th place in the CCPI is in practice the eighth place among the ranked countries – because the first three places remain empty because there is still no country to meet the objectives in full – and it is a recognition of the progress achieved, but not a certificate of compliance with the climate commitments.