Over 80 Portuguese municipalities join climate passport initiative

ADENE launched the Passaporte Climático das Cidades, a voluntary national initiative, on October 26 in Portugal.

More than 80 municipalities joined the program on the first day, covering more than half of the Portuguese population. The initiative includes major cities like Lisbon and Porto alongside smaller villages with fewer than 3,500 residents. The program tracks the progress of local climate action plans required by the Climate Base Law. It organizes municipal progress into three levels: Planning, Action, and Leadership.

To reach the Leadership level, a municipality must execute at least 75% of its measures, align with emission reduction targets, and publicize its results. Each level remains valid for three years and requires a simplified annual report. Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Minister of Environment and Energy, announced the Prémio Ação Climática Local during the launch. This award intends to recognize municipalities that demonstrate concrete results in climate transition.

ADENE, the Agency for Climate, and IN+ provide a platform for these municipalities to centralize their plans, access technical support, and simplify participation in the European Union's Pact of Mayors.