Lisbon, June 24, 2025 (Lusa) - The Portuguese Minister for the Environment and Energy has said that it is “practically impossible” to carry out projects against the will of the entire population, adding that the political guideline is to listen to the public.

“One of the political guidelines is that it is very important to listen to the public. I am convinced that at this moment in time, it is practically impossible to carry out projects against the unanimous will of an entire population. (...) It is very difficult to develop a tourism, agricultural, mining or industrial project when everyone around you is against it,” said Maria da Graça Carvalho.

The minister was speaking to journalists on Monday evening after presenting the proposal to revise the National Strategy for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity 2030, which involves more ambitious targets that Portugal has signed up to, international commitments in marine and protected land areas.

In response to questions from journalists, Maria da Graça Carvalho said that Portuguese legislation is very strict in terms of environmental impact studies and that the public and local authorities are always consulted, which is one of the factors that weighs heavily on those who decide whether or not there is unanimity among the public and local authorities.

“We want project developers to involve the public. In the criteria, we say that the project must have added value for the public, for the country as a whole, and only then is a project justified,” she said.

In presenting the revised document, the minister said that next month the strategy to protect the wolf, the “wolf pack programme”, will be presented.

Maria da Graça Carvalho also pointed out that Portugal ranks eighth in the European Union in terms of area included in the Natura 2000 network.

“A quarter of our entire land area is included in this network, while the European average is 19%,” she said.

FP/AYLS // AYLS

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