Portugal and Brazil roll out climate adaptation actions for fires, heat and extreme weather

In Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, a public hearing chaired by state deputy Sofia Cavedon highlighted the need to prepare for a projected “Super El Niño” in 2026. Experts warned of increased heavy rains and warmer winters, while officials noted that funds from the Funrigs reconstruction program have yet to secure large‑scale preventive projects for the most affected municipalities.

In Portugal, ambassadors of the European Climate Pact appealed to the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities, urging local councils to become the first line of defence against forest‑fire health impacts. They proposed five priority measures, including identifying vulnerable populations, strengthening municipal health plans, and accessing European adaptation financing. The appeal quoted Luísa Barateiro that “Portugal is one of the European countries most vulnerable to forest fires.”

Separately, twelve Portuguese environmental NGOs sent an open letter to the government demanding a national heat‑adaptation strategy. Their six proposals call for a network of climate‑refuge sites, expanded green spaces, energy‑efficient retrofits for public buildings, and targeted support for the elderly and outdoor workers, framing extreme heat as a public‑health emergency.

The Intermunicipal Community of Terras de Trás‑os‑Montes unveiled Portugal’s first strategic climate‑action plan, covering mitigation and adaptation. The plan targets schools, agriculture and fire‑risk management, promotes electric mobility, renewable energy installations, and water‑saving practices, and is financed with €370 000 from the NORTE 2030 program.