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Regional Government promotes second edition of Portuguese Biosphere Reserves Festival on São Jorge Island
Governo dos Açores apresenta Roteiro para a Economia Circular
Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change joins international project to develop new solutions for protected area management
The signs that Humanity's environmental, economic and social sustainability must go hand in hand in combating the countless threats they face are increasingly evident. This collective awareness has led the world and community agendas for sustainability to become increasingly ambitious, clear and urgent.
In this cause that belongs to everyone, we embrace and face the challenges head-on, and we do so with a sense of responsibility and with the full conviction that we are on the right path to make this island territory a reference region in the field of sustainable development.
In this context, the Regional Directorate for the Environment and Climate Change, within the scope of the competences attributed to it, which pass through Nature Conservation, with the management of protected areas and species and habitats of the Natura 2000 Network, and the promotion of Environmental Quality, in the components of climate change, environmental noise, air quality and waste, it contributes to the macro objective of, taking advantage of the geostrategic position of the Azores and its wealth in terms of resources, to promote its diversity, scale and area of influence.
Thus, we seek to reconcile different uses, activities and interests, in a context of public utility, promoting its biophysical integrity and the conservation of its natural and landscape values, and ensuring, in this small dispersed territory and limited resources, simultaneously, the quality of population life and the existence of high environmental quality standards, emphasizing sustainability and resilience.
This is our vision and it is what we strive for!
May 7, 2024
Regional Government promotes second edition of Portuguese Biosphere Reserves Festival on São Jorge Island
The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, presided over the opening of the Seminar "Sustainable Territories, Resilient Communities," as part of the 2nd Portuguese Biosphere Reserves Festival, which took place on São Jorge Island, the most recent biosphere reserve in the Azores. "After hosting the first edition of this festival on Graciosa Island last year, it was with great satisfaction that the Regional Government collaborated in the organisation of the second edition, this time in the Fajãs de São Jorge Biosphere Reserve, with mirror events also promoted in the other three biosphere reserves in the Azores, Graciosa, Flores and Corvo," he said. The Secretary for the Environment explained that "the classification of territories as Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO aims to protect and enhance their natural and cultural heritage while promoting the balanced use and development of sustainable management models that bring together local governments and societies." "The Azores have indeed a unique natural, historical and cultural heritage, which is the reason why four of our islands are classified as biosphere reserves," he emphasised, adding that the Region "is one of the few in the world designated as MIDAS - Multi-Internationally Designated Areas - which include Ramsar Sites, World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves and UNESCO World Geoparks." According to Alonso Miguel, "this festival and these celebrations are an important milestone in raising awareness of the importance of Biosphere Reserves in Portugal and around the world, also making an important contribution to the protection, promotion culture, traditions and natural heritage." He stressed that the island of São Jorge ‘does have a lot to offer, namely its natural beauty, stunning landscapes and paradisiacal “fajãs,” its traditions and the hospitality of its people, its cultural and historical heritage, as well as its gastronomy and unique products. Many of these bear the Azores biosphere seal, such as tuna, species and traditional confectionery, coffee and, of course, São Jorge cheese. "This is an excellent opportunity for São Jorge islanders, and those visiting us, to learn, share and appreciate what their land has to offer, acknowledging the importance of conservation and sustainability," he said. Alonso Miguel declared the Regional Government's commitment, specifically within the remit of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, to protect and enhance all these aspects that distinguish the Azores, ‘’especially from the standpoint of environmental quality and nature conservation." In addition to the ongoing implementation of the Fajãs de São Jorge Biosphere Reserve Action Plan, the Regional Secretary highlighted some of the investments made on the island, such as "the restructuring and fitting of the Waste Processing Centre, which was completed in 2023 and represented an investment of about 900 thousand Euros." He also highlighted "the significant investments made in the fajãs, namely as the recent ones in Caldeira de Santo Cristo, with the creation of a visitor support area and the redevelopment of the traditional trails in the 'Fajã,' corresponding to an overall investment of about 700 thousand Euros." Special emphasis was also given to "the stabilisation and coastal protection of the João Dias and Pontas "Fajãs," an overall investment of about 1.8 million Euros, which will greatly contribute to the development of these 'fajãs' as well as the safety and well-being of those who visit them." Besides the strong commitment to environmental education and awareness, Alonso Miguel pointed out the efforts made by the Environment and Climate Change Service and the technical staff of the Secretariat for the Environment in the conservation of natural areas and the preservation of biodiversity. In this regard, he also highlighted the importance of the investments made within the scope of the LIFE projects underway in the Region and with areas of intervention on the island, in addition to the commitment to improving and maintaining the "magnificent trails" on São Jorge Island, for which the Secretariat for the Environment has acquired suitable equipment. The programme of the 2nd Portuguese Biosphere Reserves Festival includes the involvement of UNESCO's Man & Biosphere (MaB) Programme, as well as a wide range of initiatives, including exhibitions, workshops, trails and guided tours, with a view to raising awareness among the general public of the importance of Biosphere Reserves, sustainable development and the conservation and enhancement of natural and cultural heritage. The highlight of the event was the Seminar "Sustainable Territories, Resilient Communities," which addressed issues related to the management of biosphere reserves, the UNESCO Chair, sustainability, energy and ecological transition, tourism and economic development. It featured a panel of speakers made up of academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, managers and public administration technicians, and was closed by the Regional Director for the Environment and Climate Action, Ana Rodrigues.
November 14, 2023
Governo dos Açores apresenta Roteiro para a Economia Circular
A Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Alterações Climáticas, através da Direção Regional do Ambiente e Alterações Climáticas, apresentou hoje, durante o II Seminário Técnico de Economia Circular, na Lagoa, o trabalho desenvolvido no âmbito do Roteiro para a Economia Circular Regional. O Secretário Regional do Ambiente e Alterações Climáticas, Alonso Miguel, que presidiu à sessão de abertura do seminário, reconheceu que “o modelo de desenvolvimento económico tradicional, assente numa lógica linear de operação, resulta numa utilização ineficiente e intensiva de recursos, caracterizada por uma dinâmica de uso e descarte, pelo consumo de produtos de utilização única e de ciclo de vida reduzido, pela produção e acumulação avultada de resíduos, e por uma indústria altamente poluente, num modelo obsoleto que vigora desde a revolução industrial”. “É fundamental assegurar uma transição para um modelo de economia circular, com políticas setoriais que estimulem a gestão estratégica e eficiente dos recursos naturais, que minimizem as externalidades negativas, promovam a inovação e a competitividade da economia e incentivem a investigação científica e o desenvolvimento tecnológico”, prosseguiu o Secretário Regional. Alonso Miguel, destacou que o XIII Governo Regional dos Açores definiu a otimização da gestão de resíduos e a transição para a economia circular como um dos eixos estratégicos do respetivo Programa de Governo, “colocando em curso um vasto conjunto de iniciativas e esforços no sentido de dar uma resposta firme no que se refere a este importante desafio e de promover o desenvolvimento sustentável da Região, como a reestruturação e modernização dos Centros de Processamento de Resíduos da Região, a implementação do sistema de deposito de embalagens não reutilizáveis de bebidas dos Açores, ou o Roteiro para a Economia Circular Regional”, hoje apresentado. Segundo o governante, “a elaboração do Roteiro para a Economia Circular Regional, contemplou o desenvolvimento de um conjunto de instrumentos essenciais, no sentido de apoiar os cidadãos e organizações regionais no desenvolvimento de suas atividades de acordo com os princípios da economia circular e com o objetivo de adaptar à Região Autónoma dos Açores o novo Plano de Ação para a Economia Circular, um dos principais eixos do Pacto Ecológico Europeu, dando cumprimento às orientações da União Europeia”. Alonso Miguel acrescentou que “o Roteiro para a Economia Circular Regional inclui o desenvolvimento da Agenda para a Economia Circular da Região Autónoma dos Açores, bem como a criação da Plataforma Digital de Circularidade - 9 ilhas circulares, o Guia de Boas Práticas para a Organização de Eventos Circulares e, ainda, a elaboração do Estudo de Criação de Clusters de Competitividade para a Economia Circular.” “Este é um projeto que pretende traçar as linhas de orientação estratégica, com medidas concretas para acelerar a transição para uma economia circular na Região, rumo à sustentabilidade, representando um investimento global de cerca de 320 mil euros, financiado integralmente por fundos comunitários, ao abrigo do REACT EU”, esclareceu. De acordo com o Secretário Regional do Ambiente a Agenda para Economia Circular encontra-se neste momento finalizada e em análise por parte da Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Alterações Climáticas, para posterior submissão a consulta das Entidades e um processo de consulta pública. Alonso Miguel adiantou ainda que “a Agenda para a Economia Circular identifica 64 medidas de intervenção, que estabelecem o quadro estratégico e operacional para o período de 2023 a 2030, distribuídas pelos setores dos Transportes e Mobilidade, da Energia, da Agricultura, Pecuária e Silvicultura, das Pescas e Aquicultura, da Indústria, do Turismo e da construção”. “O Roteiro para a Economia Circular Regional vem dar um contributo crucial para que a nossa Região e os seus agentes económicos possam ter ao seu dispor um conjunto de ferramentas de diferenciação e de referência, como ponto de partida para o desenvolvimento de uma economia circular nos Açores, provendo novas oportunidades de mercado, catalisando a criação de modelos de negócios mais competitivos, integrados na economia europeia”, concluiu o Secretário Regional.