The environmental group Zero today considered that the approval of the Climate Base Law four years ago represented a historic milestone, but warned that it still has several aspects to be fulfilled.
Zero recalls how Portugal was one of the first countries to enshrine in law the fight against climate change, climate neutrality, and the right to a stable climate as structural principles of public action, but in a review of the law’s implementation, the environmental association warns that its fulfillment “has been slow, incomplete and insufficient,” calling into question the credibility of the country’s commitment.
The list of aspects to be implemented includes, for example, the operationalization of the Council for Climate Action due to a lack of political understanding, according to Zero, regarding its composition.
“While this partisan impasse persists, national climate action remains without the independent body that should accompany it, assess it and demand course corrections,” the association emphasizes.
Also highlighted as red flags are the delays in presenting the Green Industrial Strategy, which Zero describes as fundamental for a faster, fairer and more sustainable energy transition, or the lack of robust sectoral plans, particularly in sectors with the highest emission levels, such as agriculture and transport.
Equally with a negative assessment, Zero notes that the Budgetary Framework Law continues not to bind the objectives of climate neutrality, creating a gap between discourse and government practice that perpetuates investments counter to climate action, such as direct subsidies to fossil fuels.
Carbon budgets are pointed out as one of the central pillars of the Climate Base Law, because they translate emission reduction targets into clear quantitative limits, which have not yet been formalized.
“The absence of operational and binding carbon budgets, which would allow effective control of emissions per period and per sector, hinders rigorous planning of the economy’s decarbonization and deprives businesses, municipalities and citizens of predictability,” the statement says, noting also the need for improvement regarding Municipal Climate Action Plans.
However, there are aspects that Zero highlights as positive from an implementation standpoint, such as the National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change and the Climate 2026-2032 Social Plan, which were open for public consultation.
“However, its effectiveness will depend not only on consistent nationwide implementation but also on coordination with municipal and regional plans, ensuring that these translate into concrete actions,” warns the association.
Zero commends the positive examples set by the Bank of Portugal and the Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority for rigorously and consistently fulfilling the legal obligation to present reports on exposure to climate risk.
Nevertheless, environmentalists insist on what remains to be done and emphasize that, in a context of worsening climate crisis, “Portugal cannot waste any more time.”
“It is essential that the Government and the Assembly of the Republic take responsibility for the delay in the full execution of the national climate legislation, and move forward with urgency,” concludes Zero.
