# Portugal Records Second Highest Greenhouse Gas Emission Increase in EU Forest fires drove a 4.2% rise in emissions, complicating national climate targets. - **Source:** [Público](https://www.publico.pt) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [climate](https://brifing.si/c/climate) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/bfd39541-82d1-4f25-b415-ba9ec337d60f ## Emission Surge in Portugal Portugal recorded the second-highest increase in greenhouse gas emissions among European Union member states in 2025. Data from the European Commission reveals a 4.2% rise, primarily attributed to the land use and forestry sector. Excluding these specific land-related impacts, national emissions would have actually shown a slight decrease during the period. ## Impact of Forest Fires The significant rise in emissions is directly linked to the severe wildfire season of 2025. Across Europe, burned areas exceeded one million hectares, with the Iberian Peninsula experiencing particularly intense fire activity. These fires created record-breaking emissions, as persistent droughts and heatwaves rendered vegetation highly susceptible to large-scale, uncontrollable forest blazes. ## European Union Context While Portugal saw an increase, the European Union as a whole achieved a 1.6% reduction in total emissions compared to the previous year. Italy experienced the highest growth at 5.8%, followed by Portugal and Spain. Despite these regional spikes, the bloc's overall carbon absorption capacity from soils and forests improved by 11%. ## Climate Targets for 2030 The European Union aims to reduce emissions by 55% relative to 1990 levels by 2030. Currently, emissions are 39% below the 1990 baseline, while the economy has expanded by 74%. Projections suggest a 54% reduction is achievable, though success depends on implementing additional measures that are not yet codified into binding law. ## Carbon Market Revenues European carbon market revenues reached 43.2 billion euros in 2025, marking an 11% increase. Member states received 23.9 billion euros to support industrial and household decarbonization. Portugal utilized these funds to compensate electro-intensive industries and provide income support for workers affected by the closure of the Pego coal-fired power plant. ## Renewable Energy Performance Renewable energy sources accounted for approximately 36.7% of Portugal's gross final energy consumption in 2025. While this exceeds the European average of 26.3%, it remains 14 percentage points below the national target of 51% for 2030. Electricity generation leads with 65.6% renewables, whereas transport sectors lag significantly at only 13.6%. ## Effort Sharing Regulation The Effort Sharing Regulation covers emissions from buildings, transport, agriculture, and waste. Projections indicate a 38.5% reduction for Portugal by 2030, slightly below the 40% target. While nine countries, including Germany and Italy, face demands for corrective measures due to insufficient progress, Portugal maintains a surplus relative to its specific 2030 goals. ## Long-term Climate Strategy Beyond the 2030 milestones, the European Union has made a 90% reduction target by 2040 legally binding. This trajectory is essential for reaching climate neutrality by 2050. Achieving these goals requires accelerating reduction efforts in the second half of the decade, as the pace of progress slowed notably throughout the year 2025. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.publico.pt/2026/11/10/azul/noticia/2025-portugal-segundo-maior-aumento-emissoes-ue-2194397 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._