Milvoz argues that the energy transition must be quick, but also geographically fair, environmentally responsible and socially balanced. As part of the public consultation on the Sectoral Programme for Zones Accelerating the Roll-out of Renewable Energy, the association emphasises that the expansion of renewables must not proceed at the expense of ecological fragmentation, landscape degradation and the overburdening of already vulnerable areas.
Milvoz recognises the strategic importance of the Programme as a national planning tool for accelerating the roll-out of renewable energy in mainland Portugal. However, it believes that the model under discussion needs to incorporate much more robust safeguards to ensure that the energy transition does not create new environmental and social conflicts, nor compromise the integrity of ecosystems or the quality of life of local communities.
The association advocates, in particular, five priorities:
Real limits on the territorial concentration of projects, with maximum quotas per municipality and per region, in order to prevent large-scale, continuous clusters that alter microclimatic dynamics and cause severe impacts on the landscape.
A rigorous assessment of cumulative impacts, taking into account not only each power station in isolation, but also the combined effects of several power stations, power lines and associated infrastructure within the same region.
Binding safeguards for ecological corridors, ensuring ecological connectivity and the movement of wildlife, particularly in sensitive areas and in areas of high value for nature conservation.
Mandatory and proportionate environmental offsets, with investment in the restoration and conservation of equivalent or larger areas within the same biogeographical and edaphic region.
Better compensation for affected communities, ensuring fair, transparent mechanisms that are commensurate with the actual costs borne by local communities.
Milvoz also argues that areas occupied by renewable energy sources should be managed with clear ecological objectives, promoting multifunctional management practices that favour biodiversity, the presence of pollinators, herbaceous cover and the improvement of soil, water and the landscape. Rather than being merely technical spaces for energy production, these areas should contribute to the ecological enhancement of the territory.
The expansion of renewables will only be socially legitimate and environmentally sustainable if it respects local areas and distributes the benefits and burdens of the transition fairly.
The climate crisis demands swift responses. But the right response is not simply to occupy natural areas without limits — it is to plan better, compensate better and restore more!!
