Regional Government promotes new consultation process with Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations

July 19, 2024

This Wednesday, the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, began the process of consultation with Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (ENGOs) regarding the environmental strategy for the Azores.

Alonso Miguel noted that he intends to meet "face-to-face" with all the NGOs registered in the Azores over the next two weeks. The meetings have been scheduled in São Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Graciosa.

"These working meetings are of paramount importance, especially at a time when we are at the beginning of a new term of office and the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action's Investment Plan for 2025 is already being prepared. It will be possible to carry out a preliminary assessment of the main concerns of the NGOs as well as to collect contributions, which will certainly be fundamental for defining environmental policies and strategic investments for the coming years," he continued.

According to Alonso Miguel, NGOs play a fundamental role in promoting, protecting and enhancing the environment. Given their proximity to the population, their knowledge of the territory and their special sensitivity, concern and dedication to environmental causes, they have been "strategic partners of the Regional Government in shaping environmental policies, defining appropriate projects, measures and investments to ensure high levels of environmental quality in the Azores, in addition to protecting and promoting the Region's extraordinary natural heritage."

At the meeting with the "Amigos dos Açores" Association, which marked the beginning of this process of consultation with NGOs, Alonso Miguel emphasised that several "issues and concerns were addressed, namely those regarding nature conservation and the fight against exotic and invasive species, tourist pressure on protected areas and the need to stipulate load capacities, which are fundamental to defining the maximum limit for use by tourists and residents. The mitigation and adaptation to the effects of climate change, following the storms that have been affecting the Region more frequently were also discussed during the meeting. 

The government official added that, as part of this cycle of meetings, the intention is to address other relevant matters for the Region, such as the circular economy and waste management, water resource management, environmental education and the management and preservation of natural areas, namely in terms of the management of hiking trails and the planning of solutions and projects for the protection and development of protected areas such as Lagoa do Fogo and the Pico Mountain Nature Reserve. 

At the end of the meeting with the "Amigos dos Açores" Association, Alonso Miguel, accompanied by the President of this NGO, Diogo Caetano, visited the Gruta do Carvão Cave, which is the largest lava tunnel on the island of São Miguel, 1,912 metres long, currently classified as a Regional Natural Monument and a  Geosite of the Azores Geopark.