Environmental proposals in electoral programs aim to reduce emissions

The main parties advocate reducing greenhouse gas emissions in their election platforms, whether from energy production or transport, but water, waste and animals also feature.

Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions should be based on standards defined and monitored by the UN (CDU proposal), prioritizing job creation in sectors that reduce emissions (Bloco de Esquerda), moving the state’s vehicle fleet to zero emissions. emission-free (IL) vehicles, assuming a 65% reduction in emissions by 2030 (free) and carbon neutrality by 2045 (PAN).

Reducing emissions is also promoted by creating a strategy to support zero-impact technologies (PS), implementing municipal decarbonization plans, rewarding the best municipalities (AD) and at the same time preparing the country to mitigate risks and natural disasters (Enough).

The issue of water also arises in all programs, with “Il” and “Chega” protecting, for example, the pumping system. Irrigation is defended by PS, AD (which wants a significant increase) and Chega, while PAN wants to revise the National Water Resources Plan by providing alternative sources for drinking water and conserving water resources in the soil. State administration is protected by left-wing parties.

Reaffirming the need to reduce plastic pollution, improve waste management and better protect protected areas continues to be common.

The CDU speaks of sustainable use of resources and environmental policies that “ensure the balance of nature and ecological systems, protect biodiversity, respect the “precautionary principle” in the face of new threats and challenges, help prevent and mitigate the effects of climate change and guarantee the democratization of access to these natural systems .

The left bloc proposes creating an environmental activist status, a monthly assessment of the industrial sectors with the most emissions, introducing a tax on fast-growing forestry production, a door-to-door garbage collection obligation, and limiting trawling.

IL wants private parties to manage waste storage and return packaging systems, reconsider the management model for protected areas and allow official animal collection centers to leave animals in the care of people while supporting some or all of their costs.

Chega, who pays great attention to the protection and welfare of animals, proposes to explicitly recognize the constitutional dignity of animals, to include them in the text of the Constitution, to value the careers of those who work in nature (guards and deminers), and to promote the recycling of building materials. demolition waste, VAT exemption for reusable nappies, fighting fast fashion and addressing environmental crimes.

AD, in addition to several pet initiatives, intends to develop new policies on waste, water and soil management, increase the percentage of water reused and storage capacity, create a National Nature Restoration Plan, simplify licensing of environmental issues and promote trade . in local products.

PAN, which devotes an entire chapter of its program to the protection and welfare of animals, proposing for example the creation of a Ministry of the Environment, Animal Welfare and Biodiversity, also advocates the sanctification of the crime of ecocide, the abolition of Simplex Ambiental, the creation of new marine protected areas and increased levels of protection, a ban on construction in protected areas or areas vulnerable to climate change, and ensuring that 100,000 hectares of eucalyptus trees are converted into classified areas by 2030. .

Livre also wants to promote local production, small-scale agriculture, create a Food Observatory, complete by 2026 all management plans for areas classified in the Natura 2000 network as missing, reclassify the Natural Park of Southwestern Alentejuno and Costa Vicentina as a national park, reduce the VAT scale on animal feed from 23% to 6% and cancel bullfighting.

The PS, in addition to animal welfare measures, proposes promoting renewable gases, developing a White Paper on the state of the environment in 2026, and creating a Green Passport that accredits companies with sustainability standards, strengthening management support. protected areas, increase them by 2030, launch a “rural simplex” and classify marine protected areas as 30% of national marine space by 2026.