Municipality of Matosinhos anticipates the decarbonisation of the municipality

Matosinhos has reached, in 2020, the decarbonisation goal set for 2030. Compared to 2009, the year in which the Energy Matrix of the Municipality was elaborated (therefore considered the starting point for carbon neutrality), carbon emissions were reduced by 40.2%.

The results were presented last November 23rd, at Casa da Arquitetura, by Rui Pimenta, from the Oporto Energy Agency, in a session attended by the Minister of Environment and Climate Action, Duarte Cordeiro.

At the opening session, the Mayor of Matosinhos, Luísa Salgueiro, stressed that "climate change does not ask for permission to change our lives", giving as an example the forest fires, the periods of severe drought and the rise in sea level that we are witnessing.

She also mentioned that the energy rehabilitation of municipal buildings, housing developments and public lighting, the electrification of the municipal fleet, the installation of electric chargers, advice on incentives for the rehabilitation of buildings and renewable energy production, the promotion of electric mobility, and the encouragement of the use of public transport, are just some of the measures implemented or underway.

Taking into consideration the work already developed, the municipality has set itself the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 85% by 2030, thus anticipating the decarbonisation goal foreseen for 2050.

The Minister of the Environment recalled that Portugal's commitment to reach carbon neutrality in 2050 "seemed a very ambitious goal, but, in reality, it is accessible, as the example of Matosinhos has shown". Duarte Cordeiro stressed that this "is a collective effort", praising the work of municipalities in this area at a difficult time due to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the rise of inflation.

Afterwards there was a round-table discussion dedicated to the theme "The Sustainable Future of Matosinhos". Moderated by the Councillor for Environment and Energy Transition, Manuela Álvares, the debate counted with the participation of Pedro Norton, Chief Executive Officer of Finerge, Mariana Silva, Director of Sustainability of Sonae MC, Nuno Oliveira, Administrator of Soltráfego, Rui Felizardo, of Ceiia, Rui Ferreira, Executive Administrator of Super Bock Group, Fernando Leite, Managing Director of LIPOR and Gonçalo Guerra, Executive Director for Support Units of Porto Bussiness School.

At the end, it was also possible to listen to the performance of the Matosinhos Leça Philharmonic Band, which closed this session in the best way.