Portugal: environment

How much of Portugal's energy comes from renewables?

Renewables supplied 36.7% of Portugal's gross final energy consumption in 2025, and 65.6% of its electricity, according to Eurostat. The energy share was 34.7% in 2022; the electricity share was 61.0% in 2022 and 65.8% in 2024.

The electricity share counts wind, hydro, solar and biomass power and changes with rainfall, because hydro output depends on it. The energy share also covers transport and heating, where fossil fuels are used more, so it is lower. The figures follow the EU renewable energy directive's accounting rules, used to track national targets.

Official sources: Eurostat: Share of energy from renewable sources (nrg_ind_ren)

What are Portugal's CO2 emissions?

Portugal emitted 35.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, down from 37.4 million tonnes in 2023 and 39.7 million in 2022, according to the World Bank.

This counts CO2 only; other greenhouse gases such as methane are reported separately. With a population of about 10.8 million, that is roughly 3.3 tonnes per person. The official national inventory of all greenhouse gases, submitted to the UN each year, is published by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions excluding LULUCF · Portuguese Environment Agency

How clean is the air in Portugal?

People in Portugal were exposed to an average of 8.8 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank. It was 9.2 in 2022.

The figure is a population-weighted modelled estimate for the whole year. The World Health Organization's guideline is an annual average of 5 micrograms. Readings at individual stations, updated hourly, are published by the QualAr network of the Portuguese Environment Agency, and are higher near busy roads and during wildfires.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure · APA: QualAr air quality

What are Portugal's CO2 emissions per person?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 3.3 tonnes. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 5.1 tonnes; Portugal is 41st highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 80th of 186.

What are Portugal's emissions?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in Portugal was 53.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Portugal placed 24th highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 75th highest.

What share of Portugal's energy comes from renewables?

In 2021, the renewable share of final energy use in Portugal was 32.3%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 20.4%, and Portugal placed 16th highest of 50. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 77th highest.

How much of Portugal is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 36.6%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 20th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 33.2%. World rank, highest first: 81st of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Portugal?

8.8 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Portugal for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 12.9 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2014, at 8.2 micrograms per cubic metre. It is 39th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 163rd highest.

How much of Portugal is in national parks and reserves?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Portugal at 23.0% in 2025. The peak was 23.1% in 2013 and the low 22.2% in 2014. It is 20th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 22.1%. World rank, highest first: 58th of 192.

Is Portugal short of water?

In 2022, water stress in Portugal was 12.3%, according to the FAO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 12.6%; Portugal is 25th highest of 47. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 82nd highest.