Speech by the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

Full text of the speech given today by Alonso Miguel, Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, in Horta, during the discussion of the Plan and Budget for 2026:

“The Investment Plan for 2026 is marked by a sense of governmental responsibility, reflecting a phase of maturity in public policy and offering firm responses at a decisive moment, when we face major challenges on the path towards sustainable development for our islands.

2026 will be marked by a greater commitment to implementing EU funds, particularly regarding investments under AÇORES 2030, but, above all, concerning funds allocated to the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

With a view to complying with this rational and rigorous strategic option, it is necessary for departments not covered by RRP projects, such as the Environment, to take responsibility and jointly agree to a reduction in their respective allocations in favour of other departments with commitments under this financial instrument.

In this context, the Investment Plan for 2026 is reduced by about 17%, with an allocation of €30 million. Specifically, €17.2 million will be earmarked for policies, projects and works in the environmental field, and €12.5 million for Civil Protection and the fire service in the Azores.

Within this framework, the Investment Plan for 2026 ensures the normal operational functioning of this department and the continuity of the investment policy in the areas of the environment and civil protection, whilst also supporting the launch of new projects relevant to the Region.

Following an investment of over €6.5 million in the last three years to upgrade the Regional Waste Processing Centres, the Investment Plan has allocated significant funds for 2026 to modernise the recycling and waste processing equipment and processes at these facilities, amounting to €2.7 million.

The Eco-Parish Programme has a budget of €500,000 to support parish councils in the cleaning and maintenance of public spaces. We will continue to implement the measures set out in the Agenda for the Circular Economy, with emphasis on the INTERREG MAC Textile project, which aims to find solutions to the challenges associated with textile waste management in the Region.

In 2026, we will also complete the Radon Susceptibility Map, acquire three radioactivity monitoring stations, and begin drafting the Regional Radon Plan and the Azores Air Quality Strategy.

Regarding climate action, we will continue to prioritise the revision and implementation of the Regional Climate Change Programme, in conjunction with the Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality in the Azores, through various instruments, in particular:

• LIFE IP Climaz, with a budget of €1.7 million;

• The Planclimac 2 Project, which aims to develop a pilot project and a handbook containing natural engineering techniques to minimise the effects of flooding and surface runoff;

• The Reinfforce II Project, aimed at studying forest species that are better adapted to climate change;

• And Azmonirisk, which aims to strengthen the monitoring and surveillance of natural hazard areas in the Azores.

We will also launch procedures for the installation of the Atlantic Climate Observatory, the implementation of a flood warning system in at-risk hydrographic basins in the Azores, as well as the acquisition of high-detail vector topographic mapping services, which are essential for risk management and mitigation.

We will also maintain support for families and businesses affected by bad weather through the legal and financial scheme for climate emergency support.

An investment of over one million Euros is planned for water resource management as well as the monitoring and maintenance of the Azores' hydrographic network.

In terms of nature conservation and biodiversity preservation, we will once again see significant investment in 2026. This is evidenced by the €3.2 million allocated to the LIFE IP Azores Natura, LIFE IP Climaz and LIFE Snails projects underway in the Region, or by the increase in investment available to support the maintenance of traditional vineyard and orchard landscapes in classified areas, which amounts to €2.1 million.

In addition, approximately €900,000 is earmarked for environmental surveillance, €750,000 for the operation of the Network of Environmental Centres, and more than €400,000 for the monitoring and management of natural heritage.

Regarding public works, an investment of €3 million is planned, with emphasis on the completion of the new Algar do Carvão Environmental Interpretation Centre on Terceira.

Building up the Regional Civil Protection System is an absolute priority for the Azorean Government, which has allocated around €60 million to this sector over the last five years.

The Plan for 2026 earmarks €12.5 million for Civil Protection and the Fire Service in the Azores, representing the second largest investment ever in this sector.

Therefore, the planned allocation will continue the strong investment policy in this area, implementing relevant initiatives and strengthening important mechanisms for the sector, with emphasis on:

• The acquisition of 12 new ambulances, amounting to €900,000, to reinforce the Pre-Hospital Emergency service;

• The delivery of the last two fire engines, out of a total of nine awarded, representing an investment of €800,000;

• The acquisition of 19 self-command vehicles to equip the fire brigade, representing an investment of over €800,000;

• The acquisition of 70 defibrillator monitors, totalling over €815,000, to fit the Region's emergency ambulances;

• A 50% increase in the budget for the Firefighters' Associations Financing Model, from €500,000 to €750,000;

• And a €340,000 increase in the budget for Pre-Hospital Medical Emergencies, which will bring about a new salary increase for firefighters.

After a year marked by substantial investments and important achievements in the areas of the environment and civil protection in 2025, the Plan for 2026, created under very specific circumstances, represents an instrument of stability, with the financial capacity to face the challenges that lie ahead.

And it is with determination that the Regional Government of the Azores reiterates its commitment to protecting and valuing the environment as a strategic asset for the sustainable development of our islands, as well as to ensuring the safety, protection and well-being of our populations.