![](\"https:\/\/edenergy.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/EDE-News-site_COP30-scaled.png\" "\\"Eco")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>At the latest edition of COP30, held this year in Bel\u00e9m (Brazil), the 2026 report of the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) was released. The CCPI is an international indicator that evaluates countries\u2019 performance in mitigating climate change. According to the 2026 CCPI, Portugal has risen three places in the global ranking and now occupies 12th position among the 63 countries assessed, which together account for around 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n
What It means to rise to 12th place<\/span> Portugal scored particularly well in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, receiving a \u201chigh\u201d rating. In the categories of energy use, renewable energy and climate policy, the rating was \u201cmedium.\u201d<\/p>\n Recognition, but with warnings about structural weaknesses<\/span> For Portugal to consolidate its position among countries with \u201cstrong climate performance,\u201d ZERO argues for more ambitious and coherent policies: strengthening sustainable mobility, eliminating fossil fuel incentives, accelerating the energy transition, and adopting a \u201cclimate justice\u201d approach to protect vulnerable groups during the transition.<\/p>\n International Context: A ranking still far from ideal<\/span> In the 2026 edition, the top three ranking positions remain vacant: even the best-performing countries have not yet done enough to be truly aligned with the Paris Agreement objectives.<\/p>\n Countries with the best placements include Denmark, recognised for renewable energy \u2014 especially offshore \u2014 the United Kingdom, which has already phased out coal and moved up one position; and Morocco, valued for public transport policies and ambitious climate targets.<\/p>\n Conversely, several G20 countries continue to show \u201cvery low\u201d performance, highlighting that the global energy transition remains unequal and insufficient in the face of climate challenges.<\/p>\n Conclusion: Visible progress, but still a long way to go<\/span> For Portugal to aspire to a \u201cmoral top tier\u201d in the fight against climate change \u2014 and not merely a respectable statistical position \u2014 it will be necessary to reinforce structural measures, ensure policy coherence and accelerate the energy and mobility transition. Otherwise, environmental, economic and health risks associated with emissions may undermine recent gains.<\/p>\n<\/div> Andreia Arenga All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or used, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of E.D.E. \u2013 Recycled Energy, Lda. All trademarks, company names, logos, and products mentioned are the property of their respective owners.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
In practice, although Portugal formally ranks 12th, it is \u201cin a moral 9th place\u201d because the top three positions remain empty \u2014 signalling that no country is yet fully aligned with the Paris Agreement objective of limiting global warming to 1.5\u00b0C.<\/p>\n
Despite this improvement, several organisations \u2014 particularly the NGO ZERO \u2014 warn of factors that continue to undermine Portugal\u2019s effective climate transition. Key concerns include:<\/p>\n\n
The CCPI covers 63 countries responsible for the overwhelming majority of global emissions and aims to compare each nation\u2019s climate performance.<\/p>\n
Portugal\u2019s rise in the CCPI is unquestionably a positive sign: it demonstrates that the country has made progress in reducing emissions and formulating climate policies with some degree of effectiveness. However, ZERO\u2019s warnings and the data from problematic sectors \u2014 particularly transport and fossil fuel dependence \u2014 show that performance is still below ideal levels.<\/p>\n
04.12.2025<\/p>\n<\/div>