Country not spending enough on biodiversity and ecosystems
The European Commission has said today that Portugal “requires an additional investment of €1.6 billion per year to achieve its environmental targets”.
In a review published today on the implementation of environmental law, the EU executive says that European funding “has contributed significantly to improving the implementation of environmental legislation and policy in Portugal”.
“Portugal continues to address environmental challenges and pursue considerable investment opportunities, but “the investment gap to achieve Portugal’s environmental objectives is estimated at €1.6 billion per year, representing 0.65% of national gross domestic product (GDP) – below the EU average of 0.77% – with most of this needed for biodiversity and ecosystems”.
In this regular report on the implementation of environmental legislation by member states, the Commission acknowledges that Portugal “remains committed to addressing considerable environmental challenges and investment needs”. It just needs to do more, particularly “to improve waste management and develop the potential of the circular economy.”
Regarding pollution, Portugal must invest more in infrastructure to enhance water management, particularly in wastewater collection and treatment, reducing leaks in networks and the general water supply, monitoring water quality and quantity, and implementing nature-based solutions and river restoration, the commission goes on.
Portugal also “needs to adopt management plans for its Natura 2000 sites, identifying specific conservation objectives and measures for each site and making the necessary technical, human and financial resources available”.
‘On the positive side’, says Lusa, the European Commission highlights the national strategic plan for water supply, wastewater and rainwater management, as well as the new national water strategy.
Implementing EU environmental legislation on air and water pollution, nature degradation, and waste would save the EU an estimated €180 billion per year, the commission adds, stressing that this amount represents approximately 1% of the EU’s GDP.
Source: LUSA
