On the European Day for Victims of the Global Climate Crisis, a coalition of 12 organisations submitted an open letter to the Portuguese government and local authorities, urging faster implementation of climate adaptation measures.

Among the signatories are Zero, Quercus, Geota, Greenpeace Portugal, WWF Portugal and the Portuguese Network of Ambassadors of the European Climate Pact.

Nationwide network

This appeal has been addressed to Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, the ministries responsible for Environment and Energy, Health, and Infrastructure and Housing, together with the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities.

The groups argue that Portugal's urban areas are ill-prepared for increasingly frequent and prolonged periods of extreme heat, calling for the creation of a nationwide network of climate shelters and for the identification of existing public and private spaces, such as libraries, parks, and swimming pools, where residents can seek relief during heatwaves.

They also advocate accelerating building renovations to improve thermal efficiency and installing air conditioning in facilities serving vulnerable people, including nurseries, care homes and day centres.

A symbolic demonstration was staged by campaigners in Lisbon to coincide with the delivery of the letter, wrapping themselves in towels and carrying placards declaring: "Lisbon is not a sauna."

Francisco Ferreira, president of environmental association Zero, said Portugal must focus not only on reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also on adapting communities to the consequences of climate change.

He argued that cities need to be redesigned with climate resilience in mind, highlighting the country's ageing housing stock, as many homes are unable to retain warmth in winter or remain cool during summer, leaving residents exposed to increasingly extreme temperatures.

Ferreira also stressed that climate shelters should take various forms, including shaded outdoor areas, green spaces and air-conditioned public buildings, providing safe locations for people during periods of intense heat.

Climate adaptation

The environmental groups describe municipal climate adaptation plans as essential to improving resilience, arguing that progress has been far too slow.

Ferreira noted that municipalities were required to complete Municipal Climate Action Plans by February 2024, yet many have still not been finalised.

He said the priority must now shift from drafting plans to implementing practical measures, warning that the increasingly severe summers experienced in Portugal underscore the urgency of protecting public health and reducing heat-related illness.

According to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the country had already experienced six heatwaves by early July 2026, matching the total number recorded in 2025. Those six episodes accounted for 59 days under heatwave conditions during the first half of the year, with heatwaves occurring in February, twice in March, and again in April, May and June.

Ferreira added that this year's heatwaves have not only become more frequent but also more intense, with temperatures significantly exceeding seasonal averages.

The environmental coalition argues that climate risks are not shared equally, as communities living in densely built neighbourhoods with limited green space, extensive paving, heavy traffic and little natural shade are particularly vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat.

Social impacts

These organisations acknowledge that adapting cities will require substantial investment and technical expertise, particularly for smaller municipalities.

Ferreira said climate adaptation projects often struggle to compete with other local priorities, while their costs can discourage political decision-making despite the long-term benefits.

He concluded that although these measures involve significant upfront expenditure, they would ultimately improve residents' quality of life and prove more economical over time by reducing the health and social impacts of extreme heat.

Throughout Europe, rising temperatures have led to increasingly frequent and deadly heatwaves, with Portugal among several countries, alongside Spain, France and the United Kingdom, experiencing prolonged periods of exceptional heat in recent years.