INSIGHTS

Zero Pollution: more than a goal, a commitment to the future

Pollution is responsible for one in eight deaths in Europe annually and is a major factor behind numerous health issue. It is one of the top five drivers of biodiversity loss and threatens the survival of more than one million plant and animal species on our planet, out of an estimated total of 8 million.


In 2021, the EU launched the “Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water, and Soil” action plan, supported by a vision of zero pollution by 2050: a healthy planet for all.


 


The ambition of the plan spans several ongoing initiatives contributing to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It complements the goal of climate neutrality by 2050, aligning with the objectives of a clean and circular economy and biodiversity restoration. It is an integral part of many initiatives under the European Green Deal and other European Commission actions.


Reducing by 25% the EU ecosystems where air pollution threatens biodiversity;

Cutting nutrient losses, the use and risk of chemical pesticides, the use of the most hazardous ones, and sales of antimicrobials for livestock and aquaculture by 50%;

Reducing plastic litter in the sea by 50% and microplastics released into the environment by 30%;

Significantly reducing total waste generation and cutting residual municipal waste by 50%.

Zero Pollution, a commitment embraced by Portuguese Biosphere Reserves

In Portugal’s Biosphere Reserves, this plan can be translated into concrete actions to minimize localized pollution sources, with the aim of:



  • protect natural ecosystems;

  • improve the quality of life for local communities.


Its implementation can strengthen the sustainable management of these UNESCO territories, aligning regional efforts with European commitments.


Portugal has 12 Biosphere Reserves recognized by UNESCO, including insular, estuarine, and terrestrial areas, which harbor invaluable biodiversity and cultural traditions. However, pollution, especially plastic pollution, a recognized ubiquitous threat in various forms and sizes, poses a growing challenge to the integrity of these territories and remains under-assessed.


Portuguese Biosphere Reserves
protected terrestrial ecosystems
5351
km2
protected marine ecosystems
1922
km2
mandatory conservation habitats
80%
79 out of 99

The contribution of the Biosphere Reserves

Cutting nutrient losses, the use and risk of chemical pesticides, the use of the most hazardous ones, and sales of antimicrobials for livestock and aquaculture by 50%

Portugal is the 3rd country in Europe whose utilized agricultural area avoids chemicals like pesticides and respects animal welfare. About 19% of agricultural land is dedicated to organic farming.

In mainland Portugal, the proportion of land used for small-scale agriculture (%) is 2.7%. In the Biosphere Reserves it is 3.6%. The national target is 35.2%.

Porto Santo

Significantly reducing total waste generation and cutting residual municipal waste by 50%

In Portugal, the target for urban waste prepared for reuse and recycling is 60%.

In 2020, 30% of urban waste was prepared for reuse and recycling, while in the Biosphere Reserves it was 57.7%.

Reducing plastic litter in the sea by 50% and microplastics released into the environment by 30%

In Portugal, the target for plastic collected per person is 179.7 tons. In 2021, the average collected was 147.5 tons per person, and in the Biosphere Reserves, it was 156.9 tons per person.

In Portugal, 19% of agricultural land

is dedicated to organic farming

In Portugal, 30% of urban waste

was prepared for reuse and recycling (2020)

147.5 tons per person of plastic

were collected in 2021 in Portugal

In the Biosphere Reserves, 3.6% of agricultural land

is small-scale agriculture

In the Biosphere Reserves, 60% of urban waste

was prepared for reuse and recycling (2020)

156.9 tons per person of plastic

were collected in 2021 in the Biosphere Reserves
01
RB
02
03
R
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
RB Meseta Iberica
11
Abetarda
12
13

The Biosphere Reserves are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals

SDGs 14 and 15

Protect marine and terrestrial life

They contribute to the conservation of coastal and marine areas, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and to the protection of biodiversity and natural habitats

SDG 14

7 Biosphere Reserves with marine areas

Of Portugal’s 12 Biosphere Reserves, 7 include marine areas

SDG 14

0.1% of portuguese marine area

  • 17% of Portugal’s maritime area has recognized protected status
  • 0.1% of the maritime area is integrated into Biosphere Reserves
SDG 14

19 mandatory coastal conservation habitats

Of the 30 mandatory coastal conservation habitats under the Habitats Directive/Council of Europe, 19 are represented in the Biosphere Reserves

SDG 14

31 species of marine mammals

Of the 33 known marine mammal species in Portugal, 31 occur in the Biosphere Reserves

SDG 14

5 species of sea turtles

Of the 5 species of sea turtles (reptiles) found in portuguese waters, all are present in the Biosphere Reserves

SDG 15

25% of protected terrestrial ecosystems

Portugal has 21 112 km² of protected terrestrial ecosystems (23% of the national territory), with the Biosphere Reserves contributing with 5 351 km² (25% of the total)

SDG 15

12% of Portugal's terrestrial area

  • 22% of Portugal’s terrestrial area has recognized protected status
  • 12% of Portugal’s terrestrial area is integrated into Biosphere Reserves
SDG 15

79 mandatory conservation habitats

Of the 99 mandatory conservation habitats, 79 are represented in the BR. Of these, 16 are priority habitats requiring special conservation measures, and 43 are in an unfavorable/poor conservation state

SDG 15

270 species of mandatory conservation

Of the 350 mandatory conservation species in Europe (Habitats Directive), 270 are referenced in the Biosphere Reserves (over 75%). Of these, 50 are endangered or critically endangered

SDG 15

160 species of mandatory conservation birds

Of the 275 mandatory conservation bird species under the Birds Directive/Council of Europe, 160 are referenced in the Biosphere Reserves

SDG 14 and 15

Biodiversity and landscape protection

The investment target per municipality for biodiversity and landscape protection is €23.5 per person. In the Biosphere Reserves, the average spending is €20.0 per person, compared to a national average of €15.0

zero pollution

Between 8 to 11 million tons of plastic enter our oceans annually, affecting biodiversity and ecosystems

Plastic production has increased dramatically in the last 70 years. In 1950, the world produced just 2 million tons.


In just two decades, global annual plastic waste production has risen from 180 million tons to nearly 400 million tons, according to the OECD’s Global Plastics Outlook report. Meanwhile, plastic waste is expected to almost triple by 2060, with half destined for landfills and less than one-fifth being recycled.


However, when plastic waste is poorly managed—meaning it is not recycled, incinerated, or placed in sealed landfills — it becomes an environmental problem. Between 8 to 11 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, impacting biodiversity and ecosystems.


Limpeza Lixo

According to OECD data and other organizations, approximately 22% of global plastic waste is not properly managed, including plastic discarded in unregulated landfills, burned openly, or abandoned in the environment.


Around 1% of globally discarded plastic (equivalent to 3 million tons annually) can end up as macro- or microplastics in terrestrial and aquatic environments.


Much focus is placed on the effects of plastic waste in oceans, while pollution in mountainous regions, for example, is rarely discussed.


Plastic pollution affects all environmental compartments, and 80% of plastics in the oceans originate from terrestrial sources. Therefore, a comprehensive life-cycle approach to plastic must be developed to address this issue appropriately across all territories.


Plastic is also the most common type of waste found in mountains, rivers, seas, and oceans. Plastic pollution has been identified in Portugal, particularly in fish along our coast and estuaries, in beaches and sediments, and more recently in the lagoons of Serra da Estrela. It is urgent to assess the repercussions for territories, protected areas, species, and, more broadly, for the planet.


Zero Pollution Manifesto

The Zero Pollution Manifesto emerges as a strategic plan to combat pollution in portuguese Biosphere Reserves, aligned with the European policies of the Zero Pollution Action Plan. It highlights the importance of acting in territories of high ecological and social relevance, where sustainability is a priority.


READ THE MANIFESTO
Zero Pollution Manifesto
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