Brussels, July 7, 2025 (Lusa) - The European Commission announced on Monday that Portugal requires an additional investment of €1.6 billion per year to achieve its environmental targets, representing 0.65% of national gross domestic product and placing it below the European Union average.
In a review published today on the implementation of environmental law, the EU executive said that European Union (EU) funding “has contributed significantly to improving the implementation of environmental legislation and policy in Portugal”.
However, "Portugal continues to address environmental challenges and pursue considerable investment opportunities," the institution adds, specifying that "the investment gap to achieve Portugal’s environmental objectives is estimated at €1.6 billion per year, representing 0.65% of national gross domestic product (GDP), below the EU average - 0.77% - with most of this needed for biodiversity and ecosystems”.
In this regular report on the implementation of environmental legislation by countries, which raises awareness of the importance of EU environmental rules, the European Commission acknowledges that Portugal “remains committed to addressing considerable environmental challenges and investment needs, particularly in the areas of water and waste management, nature protection, air quality and enforcement”.
Specifically, according to the EU government, the country “needs to do more to improve waste management and develop the potential of the circular economy.” It remains committed to meeting the EU target of recycling 50% of municipal waste by 2020 and to achieving the new EU waste targets for 2025.
Regarding pollution, we must invest more in infrastructure to enhance water management, particularly in wastewater collection and treatment, reducing leaks in networks and the general water supply, monitoring water quality and quantity, and implementing nature-based solutions and river restoration.
Portugal also "needs to adopt management plans for its Natura 2000 sites, identifying specific conservation objectives and measures for each site and making the necessary technical, human and financial resources available", the report states.
On the positive side, the European Commission highlights the national strategic plan for water supply, wastewater and rainwater management, as well as the new national water strategy.
Implementing EU environmental legislation on air and water pollution, nature degradation, and waste would save the EU an estimated €180 billion per year.
This amount represents approximately 1% of the EU’s GDP.
The European Commission has made several EU funds available to Member States to cover their investment needs, which amount to around €122 billion per year, for environmental objectives and priorities.
ANE/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
