The Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Sustainability at IN+ released a report with contributions to the Climate Basis Law, with particular emphasis on the energy issue, which is currently under discussion in the Portuguese Parliament. As a result of a joint discussion within the Laboratory, and signed by researchers Diana Neves, Diana Vieira Fernandes and Patrícia Baptista, the document analyzes and compares the measures presented by the political parties PS, PSD, BE, PCP, PEV and PAN, as well as by the non-registered deputies Joacine Katar Moreira and Cristina Rodrigues.
A Climate Basis Law is intended to define the guidelines of public policies by which must be governed legislation in the areas of activity that affect the climate. Thus, it is a priority to face the problem of climate change, its mitigation and necessary adaptation to its consequences, as well as the design of the Energy Transition that needs to be implemented in all economic sectors. Although the Climate Basis Law is not limited to the energy or transport system, these are extremely relevant issues: energy consumption and production represent the most intense source of anthropogenic emissions, corresponding to 73% of all global emissions, with energy consumption in industry accounting for 24%, transport for 16% and energy consumption in buildings for 18%.
In this sense, the proposed measures were analyzed in the following areas:
After an appreciation of the various national and European regulations and directives aimed at decarbonisation until 2050, and a comparative analysis between the measures proposed for discussion in the Portuguese Parliament, methodological and structural issues were raised, such as the possible integration that should be considered in the Climate Basis Law and the rest of the normative system, namely relating to the energy system.
Among the various conclusions, it is reinforced the importance of establishing clear goals, with the possibility of monitoring the effectiveness of the measures; to include mechanisms that guarantee equity in the climate response; and to promote greater participation and transparency in the entire legislative process, which must be based on scientific evidence, and which in turn must be permanently reviewed and updated independently and based on technical conclusions.
