The environmental association Zero presented this Friday a manifesto for the legislative elections based on the sustainability of public policies, including a moratorium on investment in irrigation and a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
Regarding the campaign for the March elections, the association has presented a “Zero Manifesto for the 2024 Legislative Elections”, which it has already sent to parties, making it available for discussion.
The set of proposals published in the statement, designed to facilitate the country’s transition to sustainable development and make it a “structuring priority of public policy”, covers 11 specific areas.
According to the association, it is necessary to accelerate the transition, ensure that the goal of climate neutrality is met by 2045 or earlier, and ensure that in 2035 all electricity comes from renewable sources.
To assess the environmental impact and sustainability of certain policies, Zero proposes creating a policy analysis department “that allows decision makers to be informed about the social, economic and environmental costs and benefits of various infrastructure projects.” legislation and policy”.
On energy and climate change proposals, Zero advocates completing an ambitious review of the National Energy and Climate Plan and prioritizing a national strategy for energy storage and tackling energy poverty.
On transport, the association advocates for a review of the strategic transport plan, investment in those with greater potential to reduce environmental impact, the introduction of additional parking restrictions in major cities, accelerating the adoption of electric public transport and choosing a new airport with less impact on the local environment Wednesday.
Other spatial planning measures include the creation of no-build zones in areas vulnerable to climate change, such as coastal areas, and an emphasis on air quality and noise control in urban environments.
Zero also highlights the promotion of bio-waste composting, a tax on plastic packaging and a deposit system for single-use drinks packaging, and advocates support for municipalities that want to launch waste prevention projects in textiles, electrical and electronic equipment and furniture. and related objects.
In addition to proposals concerning the European Union, forests (eg converting 100 thousand hectares of eucalyptus trees to native species) or nature conservation (eg expanding new classified areas), Zero also leaves proposals on water issues. ocean and agriculture.
In particular, he advocates an urgent review of the National Water Efficiency Program, strengthening controls on groundwater, establishing an “immediate moratorium on irrigation investments to allow for a strategic environmental assessment,” and, in the oceans, a moratorium on deep sea mining , covering the entire exclusive economic zone and the extended continental shelf.
In the field of agriculture, Zero proposes repealing the Dec. 29 Council of Ministers resolution that extends the National Irrigation Program until 2028, “allocating more public investment without conducting any assessment of the program’s environmental impact.” .
And he also wants to ban the use of transgenic seeds and phase out public support for agriculture based on long agri-food chains that generate negative externalities.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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