NEWS | Azorean Government announces €21.6 million for environmental policies in 2027
The Regional Government plans to invest €21.6 million in environmental policies in 2027 to strengthen waste management, nature conservation, water resource management and climate action, as announced today by the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel.
The draft Investment Plan, presented this Wednesday by the Regional Secretary to the Regional Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development of the Azores (CRADS), earmarks an allocation of €35.6 million for the Environment and Climate Action department, including €14 million for the Azores Regional Civil Protection System.
“This increase enables us to continue the work we have been carrying out and move forward with new investments in key areas, such as improving waste management and promoting the circular economy, nature conservation and biodiversity, water resource management and climate action,” stated the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action.
The proposed overall budget represents an increase of around €6 million compared with 2026, corresponding to approximately 20%. In environmental policies, the planned increase is around €4.4 million.
In the area of waste management, €800,000 has been earmarked to modernise recycling and processing facilities at the centres in Corvo, Flores and Faial. This investment continues the refurbishment of Waste Processing Centres, which involved around €6.5 million between 2022 and 2025, and the installation of new sorting lines, with around €2.7 million allocated in 2026.
The Eco-Parish Programme will receive €900,000, an 80% increase, to provide direct support to parish councils for the cleaning and maintenance of public spaces.
In the area of nature conservation, investment will exceed €3.5 million, covering ongoing LIFE projects and support for the maintenance of vineyard and traditional orchard landscapes in protected areas.
For the management of water resources and the hydrographic network, the draft proposal allocates around €2.9 million, approximately 44% more than in 2026. This funding strengthens network monitoring and maintenance, integrated water management and flood risk planning, whilst also continuing the assessment of the impacts of climate change on coastal areas.
Public works in the environmental sector will have a planned allocation of €4.6 million, compared with €3 million in 2026. Key projects include the completion of the Algar do Carvão Environmental Interpretation Centre, the retention basins in Arrifes and the Biscoito area of Ribeira Grande, and the protection and stabilisation of the access road to Ponta da Ferraria.
Plans also include the launch of works to refurbish the Sete Cidades leisure area and upgrade the road access to the Furna do Enxofre cave.
As for climate action, the Regional Government will continue to implement the Regional Programme on Climate Change and the Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality, as well as the LIFE IP Climaz, Reinforce II and Planclimac 2 projects. Plans are also in place to begin implementing the Atlantic Climate Observatory on the island of Terceira, in partnership with the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere.
The CRADS meeting also included the presentation of the proposed Regional Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Terrestrial Invasive Alien Species, covering the period up to 2030, and the Action Plan for the Volcanic Cavities of the Azores. The latter covers 21 priority caves on the islands of Pico, Terceira, Graciosa and São Miguel, which are home to 20 endemic troglobitic species.
A proposal for a new legal framework on air quality and atmospheric protection was also presented, which provides for a regional strategy, enhanced monitoring and action plans in high-risk situations, with a view to protecting public health and the environment.
Regarding access to the Pico Mountain Nature Reserve and the environmental interpretation centres, the meeting also analysed changes aimed at enhancing safety, clarifying the terms of use and updating fees. The proposal maintains the exemption for residents of the Azores and provides for a transition period, with the new rules coming into force only from November 2027.
“These investments reflect the Regional Government’s commitment to enhancing our natural heritage, ensuring public safety and improving environmental infrastructure, thereby creating the conditions for more sustainable land management,” emphasised Alonso Miguel.
The Government of the Azores thus reiterates its commitment to protecting biodiversity, adapting to climate change and promoting the Region’s sustainable development by incorporating these priorities into the regional investment plan for 2027.
GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU
