The event, held at the Técnico Innovation Centre, served as a platform for businesses, academics, public officials and community representatives to explore how to better anticipate and address climate risks in Portugal.

A key highlight was the release of the National Forest Fire Risk Study, an original, high-resolution assessment designed to help policymakers, local authorities and private stakeholders better measure and manage wildfire threats. Speakers at the event stressed that climate change is now undeniable, with extreme conditions such as heatwaves, droughts and floods occurring more frequently and intensively — all of which heighten the risk of wildfires and other climate-driven impacts.

Fidelidade’s CEO emphasised that the centre’s mission is not just to diagnose problems but to drive decisions that lead to concrete action. Senior leadership at the ICCC argued that protecting people, property, and communities requires better anticipation of climate hazards, reduced vulnerability, and more granular data to inform decision-making.

Focus on wildfire risk and evidence-based governance

The wildfire risk discussion formed a central strand of the programme. Leaders from the Agency for Integrated Forest Fire Management (AGIF) likened the challenge of reducing wildfire damage to running a marathon — one that demands sustained policy reform, long-term commitment and structural change. One commentator noted the need to discuss risk not just in terms of burned areas, but in economic terms — in euros — to reflect the real cost of climate-driven disasters.

The newly presented forest fire risk study aims to address gaps left by earlier models that focused primarily on hazard levels without fully accounting for consequences, potential losses, and future climate scenarios. The study integrates data on hazard, exposure, vulnerability and loss curves, producing detailed maps at 100-metre resolution that could inform both public and private risk management strategies.

Climate experts at the event underscored that wildfire risk cannot be viewed as a purely forest problem — it affects homes, villages and people’s safety, making rigorous, evidence-based planning essential for prevention and response. They argued that effective governance, communication, and the better use of scientific knowledge in policy decisions are now as critical as the technological or scientific solutions themselves.

In closing remarks, the chairman of Fidelidade reflected on the centre's broader purpose, describing climate action as a collective responsibility. He invoked a “systems perspective,” urging all stakeholders to act not just as observers of planetary change but as “crew members” on a shared vessel.

The ICCC meeting underscored Fidelidade’s continued efforts to translate scientific research into tangible climate action, focusing on risk assessment, data-driven decisions, and collaborative approaches to one of Portugal’s most pressing environmental challenges.