The new Memorandum of Understanding for Carbon Neutrality paves the way for the implementation and monitoring of mitigation strategies
On the 5th of April, the municipalities of Setúbal, Palmela, and Sesimbra – along with key local stakeholders – confirmed their commitment to climate neutrality by signing the Memorandum of Understanding for Carbon Neutrality in the Arrábida Territory, a joint effort to tackle the climate crisis at a local level.
Although around 95% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the Arrábida Territory are not the responsibility of the municipalities, they play a crucial role as the driving force behind the energy transition, driving transformative, transversal, ambitious, and urgent measures to minimise GHG emissions that must involve the entire community.
The key to success: An engaged community
This achievement is also the result of the co-creation process run by ENA within the EUCityCalc project in 2024, which led the three cities to approve Transition Roadmaps for Climate Neutrality in 2024. Eighty participants from over thirty organisations (municipal technicians, companies, industry, academia, citizens’ associations, NGOs, etc.) brainstormed on mitigation strategies and chose more than thirty specific measures to reduce GHG emissions by sector and analyse the impact of the various choices. This resulted in three transition roadmaps for climate aligned with national decarbonisation objectives stated in the National Energy and Climate Plan (NCEP) and the Portuguese Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2050 (RNC 2050).
The Memorandum of Understanding for the Carbon Neutrality of the Arrábida Territory represents a joint commitment by the community to work towards climate neutrality in the region and collaborate. A representative will join the Transition Roadmaps’ Monitoring Group. Coordinated by ENA, this group strives to facilitate the implementation and monitoring of the transition roadmaps designed for Setúbal, Palmela, and Sesimbra, as well as to analyse the progress and impacts on the territory of the measures adopted to reduce CO2 emissions.
Since stakeholder involvement is key to success, the aim is to promote a network of collaboration and ongoing dialogue with the different local actors.
The Memorandum is open to new adhesions from any entity or person who shares its spirit and objectives and is interested in signing up for this climate neutrality commitment. Are you interested? Contact ENA to learn more!
Signatories:
| Municipality of Setúbal | Quinta de Alcube (Winery) |
| Municipality of Palmela | Oro Agri Europe, S.A. (Agricultural company) |
| Municipality of Sesimbra | Quercus – Núcleo Regional de Setúbal (NGO) |
| Docapesca – Portos e Lotas, S.A. (Operation of fishing ports and auctions) | Entidade Regional de Turismo da Região de Lisboa (Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority) |
| Escola Secundária du Bocage (School) | AMRS – Associação de Municípios da Região de Setúbal (Association of Municipalities) |
| Fertagus, Travessia do Tejo, S.A. (Transport company) | Comissão Vitivinícola Regional da Península de Setúbal (Setúbal Regional Wine Commission) |
| Alsa Todi Metropolitana de Lisboa (Transport company) | ADREPES – Associação de Desenvolvimento Regional da Península de Setúbal (Development Association) |
| Associação Baía de Setúbal (Setúbal Bay Association) | Lisnave Estaleiros Navais, S.A. (Shipyards) |
| SIMARSUL – Saneamento da Península de Setúbal, S.A. (Water company) | ENA – Energy and Environment Agency of Arrábida |
