The Government of Portugal announced at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, a series of projects worth €1.5 million aimed at promoting transparency in climate policies in Portuguese-speaking countries. The initiative seeks to strengthen cooperation and the exchange of technical experiences among Lusophone nations.
Portugal’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, presented the fund at the Portugal pavilion, designed by architects Eduardo Souto de Moura and Álvaro Siza Vieira, two prominent names in Portuguese architecture. According to the minister, the goal is to improve the management of inventories, financing, and climate transparency mechanisms in participating countries.
“We are announcing a budget of €1.5 million for transparency in climate policies in Lusophone countries. It will be a network for capacity-building and experience sharing to improve the management of complex climate dossiers,” explained Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho.
During the Leaders’ Summit held last week, Portugal’s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, also announced €1 million for the “Tropical Forests Forever Fund,” an initiative launched by Brazil aimed at protecting Amazonian ecosystems.
Within the scope of international cooperation, Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho highlighted debt-to-climate-action swaps, citing Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe as examples of successful projects and potential future expansion. This model allows financial commitments to be converted into concrete environmental investments.
The ongoing project in Cape Verde involves the expansion of a photovoltaic plant on Santiago Island, enhancing sustainable energy production and local energy capacity. The first project with São Tomé and Príncipe is expected to be implemented soon, expanding Lusophone cooperation in the climate sector.
The minister also emphasized Portugal’s progress in the blue economy, noting that the country aims to increase its protected marine areas to 30% by 2026 through the Blue Fund and extended cooperation with other Lusophone countries. This goal reinforces the national and international marine conservation strategy.
Currently, 19% of Portuguese waters are under environmental protection, demonstrating the country’s commitment to marine preservation. Expanding protected areas aims to establish Portugal as a reference in sustainability and the blue economy among Portuguese-speaking countries.
Through these initiatives, Portugal demonstrates an active policy of international cooperation and leadership in climate action, focusing on transparency, experience sharing, and environmental protection in both continental and island Lusophone regions as well as protected maritime zones.
Source: e-Global
