Portugal, like most of Europe, is facing various environmental problems which are fuelled by poor fire management practices, indiscriminate logging from north to south, and the growing exploitation of biomass. These activities are often promoted as solutions but are, in fact, worsening the problems facing the landscape—compromising our ecosystems’ capacities and the overall resilience of the land.
To help create effective change, Sylvester joined the Faixas Vivas network, a collective of NGOs committed to advocating for new, sustainable fire prevention regulations in Portugal. Beyond indiscriminate cutting for fire protection, one of the biggest factors making our landscapes more vulnerable to fires is the way forest policies are designed and implemented.
Together with the Faixas Vivas network, we have created an open letter demanding more sustainable, science-based forest policies that prioritise climate change mitigation and adaptation, while ensuring the preservation of biodiversity.
We know that long, detailed, and formal open letters can be a bit difficult to read—so we’ve highlighted the main points for you.
1. Enforce, Revise Legislation, and Manage the Landscape
Problems:
Lack of enforcement allows indiscriminate clear-cutting of species with high ecological value, even in protected areas.
Ambiguous and contradictory legislation leads to the poor implementation of Fuel Management Strips (Faixas de Gestão de Combustível – FGC), with serious consequences for ecosystem integrity.
Isolated and poorly planned actions degrade ecosystems and, besides being ineffective, increase fire risk.
Solutions:
Strengthen enforcement and accountability of the actors involved.
Revise the SGIFR plan, particularly the regulations applicable to FGCs, to ensure clarity, consistency, and protection of natural values.
Integrate the management of Faixas VIVAS into land-use planning and a vision of a resilient landscape.
2. Redirect Forest Production
Problems:
Large areas of eucalyptus and pine monocultures—many of them abandoned—increase fire risk and undermine biodiversity conservation and the sustainability of forest systems.
Lack of incentives for sustainable forestry practices.
The expansion of biomass use for energy production promotes intensive and unsustainable logging. Burning biomass is not carbon-neutral and contributes to forest ecosystem degradation.
Solutions:
Focus on increasing the local value of forests through durability, circularity, and sustainability—not by burning for energy production.
Support the transition to diverse forest systems adapted to climate change.
Promote sustainable forest products to diversify production and, as a result, diversify Portuguese forests.
3. Reverse Degrading Factors
Problems:
Rural abandonment and the devaluation of traditional activities increase fire risk.
A concerning spread of invasive exotic species, fueled by wildfires, FGC implementation, and widespread clear-cutting across the country.
Aggressive intervention techniques such as deep tilling damage soil and roots.
Solutions:
Support regenerative practices in land management.
Include local communities in the active management of the territory.
Control invasive species using integrated methods and restore native ecosystems—particularly through the creation of Faixas VIVAS.
4. Align with National Strategies and Plans
Problems:
Public incentives are fueling an energy model that conflicts with climate and biodiversity goals.
Lack of coordination between plans and public policies undermines the effectiveness of interventions.
Disconnect between local actions and international commitments (e.g., climate, biodiversity).
Solutions:
Align the management of fuel strips with PNGIFR, ENCNB, the 2030 Agenda, and the European Green Deal.
Redirect public support toward truly renewable and sustainable energy solutions.
Promote synergies between public policies and ensure resources are available to empower local territories.
Want the full picture? Click here to read the complete letter and help us protect Portuguese nature by adding your signature.
