Portugal
Strong commitment to sustainable development
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United Nations Agenda 2030
An ambitious plan for more sustainable and inclusive tourism
Portugal's strategic priorities in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
Performance in achieving sustainable development goals
SDG Indez Score

SDG Indez Ranking
#27 / 165 countries
Sustainable Development Report 2021

Average Performance by SDG

Source: Sustainable Development Report – SDG Dashboard
Goal achieved

Proportion of renewable energy in gross final consumption of energy
2019
30,6 %
Above the European average
2020
31,0 %
2030
47,0 %
Contribution of renewable resources in electricity generation
2019
55,0 %
+4.2 p.p than in 2018

Portugal has the second largest solar photovoltaic power plant in the world.
Energy intensity of the economy in primary energy (tep/€ million)

Source: INE, I.P
1º
in the World to commit to the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050
7º
in the European Union that produces the most electricity from renewable sources

17º
among 61 countries in the Climate Change Performance Index 2020
Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute e Climate Action Network
27º
among 180 countries in the index of
Environmental Performance 2020
Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute

Lisbon
European Green Capital 2020
The city that has evolved the most in all environmental parameters

Portugal – Raising sustainability standards as a tourist destination
The Azores
The first archipelago in the world to achieve international certification as a sustainable
destination by an entity accredited by the Global Council for Sustainable Tourism.
Going for gold certification as a sustainable tourism destination in 2024.
Almost 25% of the territory of the archipelago is classified as a Protected Area, managed by
the Natural Parks on each island.
Leading the tourism of the future
Sustainability as a strategic pillar
Targets for 2027
Economic sustainability
- Reach 80 million overnight stays
- Ensure 26 million euros of revenue
Social sustainability
- Reduce the seasonality index from 37.5% to 33.5%
- Double the level of secondary and post-secondary education attainment
- Over 90% satisfaction rate of the resident population
Environmental sustainability
- More than 90% of companies adopting measures for efficient energy use
- Over 90% of companies promoting efficient water use
- More than 90% of companies to develop efficient waste management actions
Turismo +Sustentável 20-23 Plan
Axis 1
Structure a more sustainable offer
- Environmental efficiency measures
- Sustainability of the territories and tourism uses
- Products and tourism supply aligned with sustainability principles
- Positive impact of tourism on communities
- Compatibility of the different activities with tourism
- Innovative solutions oriented to sustainability challenges
- Research and innovation for the circular economy
- Digitization in the activity of the companies
Axis 2
Qualify the agents of the sector
- Qualification and training of young people and professionals for sustainability practices
- Cross-cutting integration of the pillars of sustainability in educational and training projects
- Education for sustainability and the circular economy
- Capacity building of companies for the sustainable management of their activity and business
- Capacity building of tourist destinations for sustainability
Axis 3
Promote Portugal as a sustainable destination
- International recognition as a sustainable destination
- Spreading of the sustainable tourism offer throughout the territory and throughout the year
- Promotion sustainable tourism demand
- Promotion of sustainable tourism mobility in the national territory
- Raising tourists' awareness of responsible behaviour
Axis 4
Monitor the sector’s sustainability metrics
- Monitoring of the sector's sustainability metrics
- Spreading of results