Sustainable city
A city at the forefront
of climate action Porto is taking bold steps to reduce emissions and improve the quality of life for its citizens through a collaborative approach that engages all stakeholders in the effort to build a more sustainable future.
of climate action Porto is taking bold steps to reduce emissions and improve the quality of life for its citizens through a collaborative approach that engages all stakeholders in the effort to build a more sustainable future.
A climate-neutral Porto by 2030
Porto is committed to being a leader in climate action at both the national and European levels. As part of the Porto Climate Pact, the city has set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030, a full 20 years ahead of the European Union's target. This is a challenging goal, as municipal assets only account for a small portion (6%) of the city's total greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of emissions come from commercial and residential buildings (60%) and transportation (32%).
Despite these challenges, Porto has made significant progress in recent years towards the goal of carbon neutrality. The city has achieved a 57% reduction in emissions in 2020 compared to 2004 levels and has a target of reducing emissions by 85% until 2030. The remaining 15% will be offset. This result has earned the city a spot on the 2022 edition of the CDP A List of global cities leading climate action and transparency.
Porto's greenhouse gas emissions from 2004 to 2030
The city is focusing on several key areas in its path towards sustainability, including the transition to clean energy, the adoption of a circular economy, and the management of the urban water cycle. In addition, Porto is prioritizing the conservation of green areas and biodiversity, as well as education for sustainability.
Recent achievements in these areas include a 42% reduction in energy consumption since 2004 and the participation in the European Union's mission for 100 climate-neutral smart cities by 2030. The city is also committed to improving urban quality of life, as well as social and territorial integration, through investments in urban regeneration, sustainable mobility, and the regeneration of disadvantaged communities.
Global top 12%
cities leading climate action and transparency
Source: CDP A List (2022)
57% lower
greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2004
Source: AdEPorto (2020)
Building a more sustainable and liveable city
Portugal has a strong track record in environmental protection, ranking as the 7th country in the world with the most environment-related treaties in force and 9th with the best energy efficiency regulation, according to the World Economic Forum's 2019 Global Competitiveness Report. Porto has also signed the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, setting a clear goal for energy transition and climate neutrality.
To further its sustainability efforts, Porto has implemented a range of measures with long-lasting impact on the community, including the renewal of the city's bus fleet with eco-friendly vehicles run on electricity or natural gas, the ongoing expansion of Porto's metro network, the replacement of public lighting with LED technology, and the development of a roadmap for a circular economy with the aim of doubling the rate of circular material usage by 2030. The city has been using 100% renewable energy in all municipal facilities since 2021, invested in the improvement of energy efficiency in public buildings and social housing, and promoted the decentralization of renewable energy production in local communities, increasing local production and consumption, and improving monitoring systems to enable data-driven decisions.
Top 10 countries
with most environment-related treaties in force
Source: World Economic Forum (2019)
100% renewable
energy in all municipal facilities since 2021
Source: Municipality of Porto (2022)
In addition to these efforts, Porto is working to improve its urban water cycle management. The city's water utility company, Águas do Porto, is committed to the responsible management of water resources and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce water loss, increase water recycling, and improve the efficiency of its treatment plants.
To encourage sustainable construction, the Environmental Index of Porto was launched. This index, which is part of the city's new master plan (PDM), aims to encourage promoters of rehabilitation and construction projects to use sustainable construction solutions in their projects, improving the bioclimatic comfort of city buildings and reducing the vulnerability to extreme weather events.
To encourage sustainable construction, the Environmental Index of Porto was launched. This index, which is part of the city's new master plan (PDM), aims to encourage promoters of rehabilitation and construction projects to use sustainable construction solutions in their projects, improving the bioclimatic comfort of city buildings and reducing the vulnerability to extreme weather events.
Porto's green parks and public gardens
Porto is also actively working to promote biodiversity and combat climate change through the use of nature-based solutions. As part of this effort, the city is doubling its green areas by planting native trees, increasing soil permeability, and incorporating sustainable solutions in urban regeneration and construction.
Overall, Porto's efforts to become a leader in climate action and sustainability are significant, and the city is well on track to achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. Its commitment to improving the quality of life for its citizens through investments towards a more sustainable city, will help make Porto one of the most liveable cities in Europe.