Total greenhouse gas emissions (without LULUCF)

Until the beginning of the century, Portuguese greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions largely reflected the development of the economy, which was characterised by strong growth associated with the increase in energy demand and mobility. From 2005 onwards, a process of emission reduction began due mainly to the increase in renewable energy. The use of coal for electricity production, which was phased out at the end of 2021, was a determinant of this decrease in emissions. Despite previous efforts regarding the decarbonisation of the economy, the scale and pace of GHG reductions must accelerate to reach the national target set for 2030 under the Effort Sharing Regulation  (– 28.7% compared with 2005) and the national goal of – 55% by 2030. In 2023, Portugal’s GHG emissions (excluding land use, land use change and forestry) totalled 53.2 Mt of carbon dioxide equivalent, representing a 38.1% decrease compared with 2005. The carbon intensity of the economy declined to 0.25 kt of carbon dioxide equivalent / EUR 1 million, a 47% reduction relative to 2005. However, emissions from the transport sector remain a challenge. Portugal is still committed to going further and, in addition to aiming for the ambition enshrined in the revised national energy and climate plan for 2030, it is currently updating the carbon neutrality roadmap for 2050 with the aim of bringing the climate neutrality target forward to 2045.