Twelve municipalities in the western part of Portugal undertake to achieve 20% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020. The agreement also provides for the creation of an observatory to monitor compliance with the established goals.
The president of the Regional Agency for Energy and Environment of the West, Humberto Marques, revealed to Lusa, that the region currently produces 1.8 million tons of carbon per year "pledged to reduce these emissions by 20% through the implementation of action plans for sustainable energy generated for each of the municipalities. "
This pact "for low carbon sustainability of the associated municipalities of the West" was signed by the 12 counties of intermunicipal community including Alcobaça, Alenquer, Arruda dos Vinhos, Bombarral, Cadaval, Caldas da Rainha, Lourinhã, Nazare, Obidos, Peniche, Sobral Monte Agraço and Torres Vedras, and also Odivelas.
The document was signed after the end of a two-day convention, in which according to Humberto Marques, "elected officials and technicians of all municipalities discussed with experts the kind of measures they can take to reduce emissions."
The meeting was held in the building of OesteCim in Caldas da Rainha, and featured, in addition to the mayors and technicians, with the participation of transport and related to renewable energy companies. Simultaneously an observatory for the purpose, which will be responsible for assessing compliance with the targets set, recommend new procedures and also monitor carbon emissions of each municipality was created. In addition, the agency will also propose measures to improve the energy resources of the region, where 10% is produced from wind energy in the country, as well as measures of inter-regional cooperation.
