Government launched a support program to promote the sustainability of buildings

The Environmental Fund program is intended to support measures and interventions that promote rehabilitation, decarbonisation, energy efficiency, water efficiency and the circular economy in buildings.

With this program to increase energy efficiency, energy expenditure will be reduced – «The cheapest energy is the one that is not used», he said – and there will be «more comfort conditions» while wealth and employment will be created, he said. Matos Fernandes, adding that “it also increases the income of families”.

The contribution rate for interventions is 70%, up to the limit value established for each type of project. Each candidate is limited to a maximum total incentive of 15,000 euros, with the maximum limit per single-family building or autonomous fraction of 7,500 euros.
Various types of thermal insulation, air conditioning and heating systems, renewable energy systems and water efficiency can be supported, among others.

The housing sector is responsible for more than 30% of the energy consumed in Portugal, which translates into significant greenhouse gas emissions. The energy and environmental renewal of the national building park is, therefore, essential to meet national and European energy and climate objectives, as well as to combat energy poverty.

The incentives for energy efficiency and the rehabilitation of buildings will continue with European financing instruments, namely the Economic Recovery Plan and the new Multiannual Financing Framework.

With funds exceeding 650 million euros, these instruments aim to support actions

The Minister also said that "sustainability is fundamental for our common future but also a way to save money".

He also recalled that, in 2019, the Portuguese economy grew more than that of the European Union and reduced gas emissions almost twice as compared to the European Union, which demonstrates that environmental sustainability has an effect on economic growth.

And he said that the European economic recovery program will contain "an investment forecast of over 600 million euros over the next decade for energy efficiency" in Portugal.

Fonte: www.publico.pt