Águeda, Portugal As it prepares to become the European Green Leaf city in 2026, Águeda is gaining international recognition for its environmental leadership, community-driven action, and innovative sustainability projects. The municipality’s latest efforts include ecoplogging events, river rehabilitation, and circular economy programs that position it as a model for green transformation across Europe.
Key highlights from Águeda’s sustainability journey:
- Community-led cleanups: During European Mobility Week 2025, Águeda organized a kayak and ecoplogging walk with 60 volunteers who collected 42 kg of waste from the Águeda River. Similar initiatives throughout the year have removed over 110 kg of waste with help from 250 green ambassadors.
- River restoration projects: Major efforts under the LIFE Águeda and LIFE Revive programs have focused on renaturalizing rivers, restoring habitats, and controlling invasive species. The municipality recently secured €10.2 million to redevelop riverbanks and improve water quality in the Pateira de Fermentelos area.
- Recognition and rankings: Águeda ranks among Portugal’s top three most sustainable municipalities. It holds a Municipal Sustainability Index of 67.0, surpassing national and regional averages. Awards include the ECOXXI Green Flag and the URBACT Good Practices Seal.
- Circular economy leadership: Through the Águeda Recicla+ initiative, the city mobilizes businesses and institutions to adopt circular practices. Its annual environmental month engages schools and citizens in sustainability education.
- Inclusive governance: A study by CESOP at the Catholic University evaluated Águeda’s progress on the UN 2030 Agenda, using 159 indicators across 74 targets. The results highlight Águeda’s commitment to inclusive, innovative, and transparent policies.
Mayor Jorge Almeida stated, “We want Águeda to remain a model of environmental best practices, not only in Portugal but also across Europe.”
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