Portugal prepares National Nature Restoration Plan

Portugal is finalizing its National Nature Restoration Plan (PNRN), a strategic framework designed to recover degraded ecosystems across terrestrial, marine, urban, and agricultural environments. To meet European Union regulations, the plan aims to restore at least 20% of land and marine areas by 2030 and ensure all ecosystems in need of recovery are undergoing restoration by 2050.

The Portuguese government has proposed an average annual investment of 500 million euros through 2030 to fund more than 400 measures. Key priority areas for intervention include wetlands, river systems, and coastal habitats.

Despite the scale of the proposal, environmental organizations and advisory bodies have raised concerns. The National Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development (CNADS), along with groups such as WWF Portugal and ZERO, have expressed skepticism regarding the plan's practical implementation. Critics argue that the document needs more specific localized measures, a clear execution authority, and a more robust multi-year budgetary commitment to avoid being ineffective. The public consultation period is concluding, with the final version expected to be submitted to the European Commission by September 1.