Portugal climate adaptation and resilience efforts

Portugal is pursuing various strategies to enhance climate resilience and adaptation, particularly within the agricultural and public investment sectors.

To combat wildfires, the Portuguese government has requested European Union funding to support livestock-based prevention methods, such as using goats, sheep, and cattle to graze vegetation in high-risk forest areas. Agriculture Minister José Manuel Fernandes proposed that these efforts, which reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment, could be funded through the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).

In parallel, research from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has highlighted the utility of meteorological platforms like DataClima and AgroClima in helping farmers adapt to extreme weather events like droughts and heatwaves. Additionally, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) assessment has recommended that Portugal more systematically integrate climate risk into public investment decisions through measures such as climate screening for projects and the potential creation of a Climate Financing Unit within the Ministry of Finance.