Portugal must accelerate the pace of environmental progress and strengthen law enforcement in the face of the climate emergency, United Nations (UN) envoy David Boyd defended on Tuesday after visiting the country for nine days.
In a press conference held at the Lisbon Oceanarium, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights and the Environment recognized that the “legal infrastructure is very strong” in Portugal in environmental terms and gave “credit to the Government for the response to the climate crisis” , which put the country “at the forefront” of these concerns, but noted that there is “a gap in the implementation of these laws”.
The challenge for Portugal is to do a better job of moving from paper to action on the ground to protect the climate. (…) Portugal has a lot of work to do in terms of air quality,” said the specialist, who warned of several areas in which the country must improve: “Portugal is currently facing dozens of lawsuits for not transposing European directives on the environment. . , such as air quality in cities, waste management or recycling”.
During his visit to the country, David Boyd also expressed his surprise at what he considered a reduced number of solar panels on buildings — expressed in position 13 in the European Union (EU) with respect to the production of electricity from sunlight — given Portugal’s potential for sun exposure.
I was surprised to see few solar panels installed. Portugal has the potential to be a leader in this regard. However, there was an acceleration in the installation of solar panels between 2019 and 2021, which doubled, and that growth rate must be maintained, ”he explained.
On the other hand, the UN envoy admitted that “many houses are still not energy efficient” and that the More Sustainable Constructions program designed by the executive —which contemplates the copayment up to 15 thousand Euros to boost energy efficiency in homes—”should be expanded and accelerated”, considering it “a good opportunity” to adopt a climate approach based on human rights.
David Boyd also left a appeal to the State to listen to young peoplewhich, according to an international study, are among the most concerned in the world to combat the climate crisis.
They are deeply concerned about the future of the country and the planet. A study says that they are the most concerned and think that the government does not listen to them and does not give them space. It is very important that the government gives them a seat at the table and act according to their recommendations”, he summarized.
Asked about the possible inclusion of nuclear energy in the debate on the country’s energy independence, the UN expert stressed that it is currently “more expensive than energy produced from renewable sources and presents greater risks” in environmental terms: ” From a healthy and human rights perspective, I believe that Portugal does not need nuclear energy”.
David Boyd’s visit included contacts with government representatives, national authorities, local authorities, civil society, business, academia, youth, UN agencies and other experts. The full report of this mission will only be presented in March 2023 to the UN Human Rights Council.
Source: Observadora
