The statement by Zero follows the report of the State of the Environment published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

In an analysis of the document, Zero, referring to the indicators under observation for the case of Portugal, considers climate, waste and green taxation to be critical aspects.

According to the association, Portugal must be prepared to face a warmer climate, especially when it comes to heatwaves and to prepare homes for warmer temperatures.

VAT on air conditioning/heat pumps needs to be reduced, it says, and this equipment should be supported by the E-Lar Programme to improve the thermal comfort of homes.

In the area of waste, the association advocates the promotion of reduction and reuse, a serious commitment to “high-efficiency models in terms of selective collection and separation for recycling”, the creation of incentives for circularity and the promotion of the reintegration of recycled materials into the economy.

Zero warns that Portugal has disinvested in the green tax sector, even though it is currently in line with what is happening in the European Union and slightly on the rise.

And it is worrying that Portugal maintains support for fossil fuels (even though it is on a downward trajectory) above the EU average. A recent example is that the price of electricity in Portugal in the domestic sector is more than double that of natural gas.

In a traffic light system (green, red and orange), the association gives Portugal a green light in the areas of greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energies, air improvement (impact on health), and terrestrial protected areas.

It is red or orange for final energy consumption, waste generation, circular use of materials, consumption footprint, energy poverty, environmental protection spending, environmental taxes and eco-innovation.