At the macro level, land planning policies aim to correct regional imbalances caused by the country's asymmetric growth. At the local level, these policies aim to correct the results of a misleading definition of "development", which has contributed to soil exploitation and to the degradation of the environment, especially in urban and tourist areas. The main concern of land resources planning and management is the effective control of land use and the development of an integrated and rational management. The Portuguese Government has developed a legal and institutional framework, and policy instruments for the sustainable planning and management of land resources. Programmes were developed to assure the availability of technical, financial, and management resources. Master plans address the following issues: development of management systems, promotion of public participation, strengthening of information systems, international and regional cooperation, the scientific understanding of land-resources system, implementation of pilot projects, education and training, and strengthening of institutions. Strengthening of technological capacity is planned. The Regional Development Plan 1994-1999 provides guidelines for planning systems and defines, on a regional basis, the options and parameters of the national development strategy. The Portuguese government is also preparing a National Water Plan, and initiated drainage basin and agricultural development projects for the river basins of Minho, Lima, Cavado, Ave, Douro, Leça, Vouga, Mondego, Lis, Western Streams, Tagus, Sado, Mira, Guadiana, and the rivers of the Algarve.

These include:

1. Inventory and characterization of habitats, flora and fauna species and major socio-economic activities relating to the conservation of nature;

2. Elaboration and implementation of Land-use Management Plans for Protected Areas and for the coastal zone, in connection with other land-use management instruments and institutional agents;

3. Promotion of socio-economic activities with impact on the conservation of nature, in the areas of forestry and cattle grazing, hunting and fishing, renewable energy sources, among others, in close cooperation with the different local agents;

4. Clearer and more participatory policies for the conservation of nature.

1. Decision-Making Structure: The following ministries are responsible for the planning and management of land resources: the Ministry of Equipment, Planning and Territory Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture , Rural Development and Fisheries, Ministry of Economics and the Ministry of the Environment . In 1994, the Ministry of Equipment, Planning and Territory Administration established a General Directorate for Land Planning and Urban Development (Projecto Lei Bases OT/1997).

Legislation covers laws on soils, water resources, environment, agricultural and ecological resources, regional and municipal planning, urban development and industrial licensing. Legislation is being reviewed and amended. The new project for the Framework Law on Land Management and Planning is under debate. Legislation to provide environmental impact assessments was enacted in 1990 and is being revised.

Municipalities are responsible for the development of planning instruments, such as the Municipal Master Plan, the Urbanization Plan and the Detailed Plan. They focus on land planning, on the development of rural areas, and on the protection of major natural resources, including protected areas. The municipal planning framework is determined by the Regional Plan for Land Planning, which is prepared under the responsibility of the Ministry of Equipment, Planning and Territory Administration.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: See Status Report

3. Major Groups: Municipalities participate in land planning and management. Portugal promotes public debates and the participation of non-governmental organizations in land planning issues.

4. Finance: No information

5. Regional/International Cooperation: Portugal cooperates, inter alia, with the Spanish organization CEDEX, and the EU Programme for Agricultural Development. The EU participated in reviewing national strategies and provided additional post Rio funding. Portugal cooperates with NATO in the areas of watershed development and dam safety

Forests are of utmost importance to Portugal, as 1/3 of the country is covered by forests. Eighty-three percent of all forests are private property, a significant part of which is integrated into farmland. Given their importance, a strategic shift was made in public administration of forests in recent years, in order to provide more and better services for privately-owned forests. Public forests cover an area of 519,000 hectares and are basically composed of coniferous plantations. Three percent are state-owned and consist mainly of pinus pinaster. These predominate in the coastal region and are subject to management plans, to ensure the sustainable production of quality timber. One quarter of the forests cover coastal dunes. Their harvesting is governed by preservation guidelines, and regeneration is assured by clear felling. Six percent of the forest is managed by industrial enterprises (pulping industries).

Fifty-eight percent of all forests are used for wood production, and 42% are assigned to the production of non wood products, e.g. cork, oaks, resin and chestnuts.

The Portuguese Forest is composed of 44% of conifers and 58% of broad leaves. The principal objective of wood production occurs in 58% of the forest, composed essentially of conifers Pinus pinaster and other pines cultivated for high forest. The forest reserved for the production of other resources (42%) is essentially composed of oaks, chestnut trees, and stone pines. Forest harvesting is dominated by small scale enterprises. Present practices satisfy the wood industry's needs, but are not adequate for the valuation of forests products. An investment support system is now in progress in order to rationalize and modernize forest harvesting practices.

Despite the strong occurrence of forest fires (50,000 ha burn per year), there has been an expansion in forest area, at an annual rate of 0.5%, over the past 20 years, due to natural regeneration and the restructuring process of grazing and burned lands, (sowing and planting) uncultivated land, and marginal agriculture. Forest fires are the main cause of forest loss. The urbanization process and acidification have only a light impact on forest loss, and air pollution has a light impact near some industrial zones. The fragmentation of forest property, absenteeism of forest owners, and the high level of forest fires are the main obstacles to effective afforestation and reforestation.

Forest policy has been linked to agricultural, industrial, environmental, land management, and regional development policies. Reforestation, afforestation, and improvements of existing forest resources and forest productivity are being promoted, and subsidies are available for appropriate activities. Forest conservation and protection are being promoted, and efforts have been made to raise public awareness of forest issues, with restoring and recovery actions for the land cover. Improvements have been made in the preventive network, monitoring and fire detector, as well as the first intervention means.

Although no National Forest Plan exists, the following programmes are being implemented:

- the Forest Development Programme 1994-1999, which targets reforestation of burned areas, afforestation (72,000 ha), and the improvement of existing forests (108,000 ha);
- the Farmland Afforestation Programme 1994-1997, which covers an area of 160,000 hectares;
- the Support Programme to Measures of Agricultural-Environmental Protection 1994-1997, supporting the conservation
of mostly private forest areas, and farmland.
Management instruments that integrate all aspects of the multiple use of forests are to be developed.

In accordance with EU regulations for forest protection against air pollution, annual forest assessments are being carried out and permanent observation zones have been established. The impact on forests of pests and diseases is being assessed and monitored, and biological and chemical methods of control have been tested.

EIS, introduced in forestry, is being promoted and has been used since 1989, for fast growing species plantations.

Portugal has adopted the sustainable development criteria and indicators approved in the follow-up to the Helsinki Conference. Public forests and some planted private forests are already managed according to these criteria and indicators.

International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification

Particularly in Africa

The Convention was signed on October 15, 1994, and ratified on April 1, 1996.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter:

A National Committee will be appointed to prepare a National Action Programme, according to the ANNEX IV (Regional Implementation for Northern Mediterranean), to identify the factors contributing to desertification, and the practical measures necessary to combat and mitigate the effects of Drought and Desertification. Desertification processes and development have been assessed in several projects, partially supported by the Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use Project (MEDALUS) of the EU.

European Union's 1994-1999 Framework Support Programme:

- PAMAF (Agriculture and forest modernization support programme)
- PPDR (Regional Development potential promotion operational programme).

The region Beja-Mertola, in the south of Portugal, is the targeted area for this pilot project. Long-term variability and evolution studies on precipitation levels were carried out. Soil improvement technologies are being developed, and further studies on soils are underway.

The area most vulnerable to desertification amounts to 37,500 km2, with a total population of 1,184,000. Inadequate farming and land use are the most serious causes of desertification; natural causes and grazing have only a moderate impact. In July 1994, 38 municipalities, representing approximately 13% of the country, and 0.9 % of the population were affected by drought. Water supply was irregular, and agricultural production was in danger.

Since there is no national plan to combat drought, priorities are being established in accordance with the characteristics of the hydrological year. These are defined and delimited to the lead intervention area in the Vale do Guadiana Natural Park. Otherwise they are implemented through social-economic, and conservation actions in the Natural Park (Southern Portugal).

European Union Initiatives:
- LEADERII (Innovative solutions to maintain an active rural economy)
- INTERREG II (Development of the boundary areas of Portugal and Spain.
- YOUTHSTAR
- Research type of Programmes
- Medalus
- Measpa
- NATO
- JNCIT

The Joint Programme for Combating Droughts 1993/94/95 monitors the water resource situation and issues regular reports. The Government has also partially addressed the following issues: drought preparedness and relief schemes, afforestation and reforestation, and alternative livelihoods for the poverty stricken population. Farmers will be offered grant schemes to develop new sources of income in order to combat desertification, and prevent subsequent abandonment of the land.

Mountain areas cover approximately 1/3 of the country. Programmes for the promotion of rural areas in general also address mountain areas. Specific activities are being carried out to develop protected areas in mountain regions: the National Park of Peneda Gerês, and the Nature Parks of Montesinho, Alvão and Serra da Estrela. These are areas with traditional landscapes and extensive farming systems. However, extensive farming provides only poor income and land abandonment is an increasing problem. The government offers grant schemes to encourage farmers to continue farming and, at the same time, develop new income sources. Farmers have to continue extensive practices for at least five years, then they take over responsibilities in the preservation and conservation of natural habitats and traditional rural constructions. These measures also contribute to combat desertification processes. Several wildlife inventories were carried out in protected mountain areas in recent years. There is one area among the protected areas where erosion damages are rated significant

Improvement has been made in the prevention, monitoring, detection, and fire fighting systems.

Promotion of sustainable employment is based on rational resource use and model actions, with the participation of local agents.

The most important rivers in mountain areas include the Mondego, with a catchment area of 6,644 km2, the Cavado, with a catchment area of 1,589 km2, and the Zêzere. Watershed development projects are being carried out in the areas of the rivers Mondego, Cavado, and Tejo.

Support is given to Cattle Orientation, apiculture, promotion of indigenous species, and certification of local products, within environmental measures.

Due to the requirements of the European Union's agricultural policy (CAP), the agricultural sector is undergoing a comprehensive modernization and restructuring process. An Action Programme for the Modernization of Agriculture and Forests is being implemented.

A coherent national policy framework for sustainable agriculture and rural development has been partially established. Most activities required in Agenda 21 under this chapter have been initiated or completed.

Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention was signed in 1992, and ratified on December 21, 1993.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

The Convention was signed in 1973, and ratified in 1980.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

National programmes covered many activities recommended in the Convention on Biodiversity before the Convention was approved. There is a long tradition with in situ and ex situ conservation of species and also developed actions towards ex situ conservation of vegetal generic resources for Agriculture. Portugal has a good herbarium, index seminum services, entomological collections and a germ plasma bank with exchanges throughout the world. A large number of assessments, biological and bio-ecological studies have been carried out in recent years. Strategies were developed for the conservation and protection of species. Projects also aim to reduce the use of pesticides and plant protectors. Many studies have been carried out on fauna and flora in protected areas. A number of wildlife inventories have been carried out. There is a National information system on Vegetal Genetic Resources, which is supported by the European Union.

Habitat destruction, over-harvesting, pollution, and the inappropriate introduction of foreign plants and animals all have a moderate impact on the loss of fauna. Serious damages to flora are caused by habitat destruction and inappropriate introduction of foreign plants, while impacts from over-harvesting and pollution on flora are moderate.

Portugal has up-dated lists of marine fish resources, phytoplankton and zooplankton, for the Portuguese EEZ.

Portugal is implementing the study and uses of more selective fishing gears, mainly trawl and gillnets and establishing TAC and Quota and protected areas for fish spawning and juveniles

There are no specific policies or strategies in place to address biotechnology issues. Several studies and projects are underway on the application of biotechnologies in agriculture, rural development, and waste management. A number of biotechnological techniques have been introduced and applied, namely through the Institute of Tropical Scientific Research. They are geared, inter alia, to the production of crop varieties resistant to disease and plagues. Some plant species were produced to improve soil fertility. Studies were carried out on flora, pharmacology, honey production and plant acclimatization. In-vitro multiplication techniques are being applied to endangered species.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

The Convention was signed on December 10, 1982, and is in the process of being ratified.

See also the attached tables on the next pages.

The preparation of a national policy on oceans is planned and foreseen in the National Environmental Plan. Portugal has coastal area management programmes that encompass fishery activities in the EEZ. In 1993, the Clean Sea Plan (Plano Mar Limpo) was adopted to react to discharges of harmful substances. It also includes the preparation of emergency plans.

Due to the over-exploitation of marine resources, fish catches decreased in the past years. Measures are foreseen for the protection and conservation of marine species. Portugal participates in the development of socio-economic indicators related to the management of marine resources, in systematic observation systems, in the mussel watch programme, and in the Global Ocean Observing System.

Portugal develops monitoring programmes in coastal zones, mainly related to: harmful algal blooms, marine biotoxins ( DSP, PSP), microbiologic contamination of shellfish, and mercury contamination of fish resources of the Portuguese EEZ. Research projects in coastal and marine areas are mainly related to: fish stocks assessment and distribution; phytoplankton dynamic and coastal eutrophication; sediments contamination and deposition of dredged sediments; environmental impact of estuaries in adjacent coastal zones; and macro algae stocks evaluation and distribution.

As regards environmental preservation of harbour areas, there are already Emergency Plans at the Principle Ports, which also have reception of board wastes. In addition, main ports have stations of treatment for weight waters. The Emergency Plans of Secondary Ports are now being elaborated, and they also have reception of waste products.

Water resources have been classified, and a Joint Programme to Combat Droughts was implemented in 1992/93. A model for forecasting droughts is being developed. Floods have been analyzed and assessed, especially in the basin of the river Tagus. Radar is used for forecasting floods. Environmental impact studies are being carried out. Small-scale hydro projects are being analyzed

Trophic conditions of lakes and reservoirs in Alentejo and Algarve were assessed by using the Landsat TM digital imaging process. A management support system was established for the utilization of water resources in the Sado Valley. Quality assessments were carried out at the Bravura and Beliche reservoirs. At the river Guadiana basin, water resources were assessed, and a study was carried out on water erosion and sedimentation processes. In a number of river basins, hydro-development work was carried out. Irrigation perimeters were adjusted.

An evaluation of water quality was undertaken, including an assessment of contaminated surface and underground water. An underground water monitoring system was established.

Portugal is developing a strategy for the integrated management of coastal areas and management of water resources. This strategy includes an inventory of water use and sources of water pollution. A waste water discharge licensing system has been established.

The Water Resources Planning Process has been started; the river basin plans and the National Water Resources Plan will be finished in the next two and three years respectively.

Policies of the European Union were adopted for risk assessment of new and existing substances. In accordance with EU regulations, the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedures were implemented. Portugal has carried out a survey to classify and study the quantities of chemical products, and it has quantified the number of PCBs in the country. It has also analyzed the production, import, export, and consumption of chemical products, and plans to apply a life cycle analysis to chemical substances. Further risk evaluation is to be undertaken.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

The Basel Convention was signed in 1989, and ratified on January 26, 1994.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

The manufacturing industry, in particular the chemical industry, produces the largest amount of dangerous industrial waste. In 1987, 1,050,000 tones of industrial waste were produced. The Government still sees a need to improve waste management capacities, but initial activities have been initiated and carried out.

Industry has been encouraged to use less polluting and waste producing technologies, and to process waste properly. Technologies are being implemented to treat effluent from tanning and surface treatment. A decision was made to provide adequate infrastructure for the general treatment of industrial waste. A call for tenders was published to build and operate an industrial waste management system. This system will include an incineration and treatment unit, and two land fills, one serving the north, and the other the south of Portugal, and a transfer station. The system will only treat waste produced in Portugal. In order to provide guidelines for an inventory of contaminated sites, a pilot study is underway to assess soil and underground water contamination in a densely industrialized zone (Estarreja). With the support of the EU ENVIREG programme, incineration plants are being constructed in Lisbon and Oporto for the incineration of hospital waste.

Activities were initiated to promote the use of used tires for heating in cement production and to use used oil as fuel. About 25% of used oil (30,000 tones) is processed in this way. The construction of a used oil recycling plant with a treatment capacity of 20,000 tones was approved.

Legislation and a notification system to control transboundary movements of hazardous waste, was enacted in 1990. The control of transboundary movements of dangerous waste was strengthened.

Portugal has carried out activities to raise the awareness of its municipalities for the need to improve the design and construction of landfills, and technical standards for the construction and operation of landfills have been published and distributed. The Regional Development Plan aims to improve public services, such as the collection and treatment of urban waste by the year 2000.

Projects to reduce and recycle waste have been encouraged in both public and private sectors. Separate collection of glass and paper is being undertaken by many municipalities, and pilot projects are underway to collect other materials, such as plastic, and certain types of batteries. A national programme aimed at recycling packaging from liquid foodstuffs is underway. Voluntary agreements were signed with the glass-packing sector, and with the plastic and complex-material-packaging sector.

With the support of Portuguese and other European associations, three pilot projects are being implemented in order to increase the recycling of waste materials in the Queijas region, in Oeiras, in Greater Oporto, and in Greater Lisbon. Various methods of collection are being tested, including door-to-door collection, the establishment of collection centers, and the installation of multi-containers on public roads and in public areas, preferably near schools to raise awareness.

The National Waste Plan is now being implemented, and its essential goal is to shut all the garbage dumps by the year 2000.

Total costs for the implementation of the National Environmental Plan are estimated at 1,000 billion escudos, with the following distribution:

basic sanitation 58%
industrial effluent 25%
agriculture 8%
nature conservation 7%
environmental information
and training 1%
others 1%

- Portugal has adhered to the GEF Pilot phase in 1992. (4.5 million DSE)
- Portugal contributed with 5.3 million DSE to the GEF I

CHANGES IN NATIONAL BUDGET TO ADDRESS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

NEW ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS: A licensing system for waste water discharges was established.

ELIMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY SUBSIDIES:

Portugal is a donor country.

Total ODA increased from US$ 113 million, in 1989, to US$ 302 million, in 1992. As a part of GNP, ODA increased from 0.25%, in 1989, to 0.35%, in 1992. The increase was mainly possible due to an increase in technical cooperation, rescheduling debts of Mozambique, and increased multilateral contributions, mainly to the European Union. About 3/4 of Portuguese ODA goes to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In 1992, this was 0.28% of GNP. Contributions to multilateral organizations increased from US$ 32 million, in 1989, to US$ 60 million, in 1992, representing about 1/5 of total Portuguese ODA in the latter year.

In general, Portuguese ODA aims to

- optimize human resources through training in public administration, teaching, information, health, agriculture, fishing,

industry, natural resources, and services,

- support structural economic changes, and encourage private sector initiatives,

- teach Portuguese, and preserve the common cultural heritage.

Portugal plans to contribute US$ 19 million to the implementation of Agenda 21 at the international level in the years

1992 - 1997, mainly through EU programmes. Portugal joined the GEF in 1992, with a contribution of SDR 4.5 million.

Portugal supports primarily the Portuguese Speaking African Countries (PALOP): Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and São Tome and Príncipe. From 1992 to 1994 US$ 634,800 were provided for activities aimed to achieve sustainable development, focussing on sustainable agriculture and rural development, and on information for decision-making. The major share of this amount, more than US$ 560,000, was provided to Cape Verde. Portuguese development cooperation focusses on the development of human resources and participatory development. The main targets are the achievement of sustainable development, and a reduction of population growth.

In cooperation with UNDP and UNEP, Portugal organized and financed a workshop on environment and sustainable development in São Tome and Príncipe for the PALOP countries. Another workshop was held in Cape Verde, in 1993, on "Acting on UNCED - Cooperation for Sustainable Development".

ODA as a % of GDP
1992 - 0.36
1993 - 0.29
1994 - 0.35
1995 - 0,26

No information

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION:

The Ministry of Science and Technology is now primarily responsible for policies under this chapter.

Several obstacles to environmental research were identified: a lack of effective coordination of research institutes and, as a result, overlapping research work, a lack of scientific and technical data, and poor implementation and dissemination of research findings. Projects do not always meet priority areas. Programmes were developed to address these obstacles.

The level of R&D investments in Portugal is lower than in most EU countries. Progress has been achieved in involving companies in R&D activities and, therefore, private sector expenditures on R&D have increased. In addition, the number and level of training of researchers in R&D has increased. R&D activities are centered in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region: 66.7% of all R&D expenditures, and 2/3 of the country`s entire scientific and technological staff is concentrated in these areas.

STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG TERM SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY:

The Secretary of State for the Environment has launched several programmes for research and development on the environment and natural resources in the past years. The first and second programmes were mainly aimed at assessing the scientific capacity for environmental research, and to identify priority areas. In 1991, the third programme was established with the following objectives: backing R&D projects and the application of research findings, encouraging exchange between disciplines on environmental research, encouraging human resources training, strengthening international cooperation, particularly within the EU, and Portuguese participation in international networks. The following priority areas were identified for the years 1992 to 1995: analysis, protection, and regeneration of the environment, natural and technological hazards, urban environment, climate, and climatic variability.

Four NGOs are particularly interested in the application of science to environment and development: the Liga de Protecçao da Natureza, GEOTA, Grupo Lobo, and Sociedade Portuguesa de Espeleologia. In 1990, 233 men and 110 women graduated in the field of environment and development. The most important post Rio projects relating to the science field were natural resource assessments, river basin development projects, and forest projects.

Portugal aims to increase the level of education, which is low in comparison to other European countries. Although the levels of education have increased in recent years, especially among young people, in 1990 only 32% of the workers had more than 6 years of schooling. The best-qualified labour is concentrated in the main urban centers. Easier access to education and longer compulsory education have significantly increased the levels of education, but further improvements are still needed. Although the level of illiteracy has fallen significantly in the last decade, it is still higher than in any other EU country.

a) Reorientation of education towards sustainable development

The Ministry of Environment is implementing the Environmental Education and Training Plan of Action 1994-1998, which establishes a framework for environmental education and training activities, and strengthens the links between the parties involved in environmental education and training, and in coordinating activities abroad.

The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Education decided on the Ecoescola Agreement, which calls for, inter alia, environmental education projects and national competitions, and addresses especially primary and secondary education levels. In addition, the two Ministries and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA) decided to implement the GLOBE PROGRAMME in Portuguese schools.

Vocational training is considered very important, and the Ministry of Qualification and Employment has integrated environmental education modules into vocational training course curricula. There is still a shortage of qualified people for environmental management (e.g for waste management and waste water treatment) even though the government acknowledges the great importance and market potential of environmental know-how.

b) Increasing public awareness

Programmes were developed to raise environmental awareness among workers, managerial staff, and young people. Training modules and videos were designed for health and safety at work. Standards were developed to define clean, unpolluted, and ergonomically sound work places.

c) Promoting training

A cooperation programme is being implemented by central and local government institutions, to provide training for trainers in environmental issues, environmental training for various professional groups, and training for environmental specialists.

ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS:

Several NGOs are carrying out projects in the field of environmental education and public awareness.

FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF THE LABOUR ACTIVITIES:

(a) 1980

According to Portugal's National Report to the CSD 1994, the number of people with primary education has increased by 98.3% during the last 10 years, the number of people with secondary education has increased by 118.4%.

Portugal intends to continue pursuing ongoing activities, especially training, capacity building, and technical assistance, which are taking place mainly in Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, and Mozambique.

Portugal also intends to take part in some of the round tables that are going to take place in different African Counties to assist the implementation of the Convention. Such round tables will help prepare National Action Programmes for some of the above mentioned countries, as well as Regional Action Programmes of the Sahel and Southern African Regions.

Portugal is ready to cooperate with Northern African Countries in the framework of the activities stemming from the Northern Mediterranean Regional Implementation Annex.