Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 107/2019 approving the Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality 2050.

The Paris Agreement reached in 2015 set long-term goals of containing the rise in global average temperature to a maximum of 2° C above pre-industrial levels, with a commitment by the international community to continue increase does not exceed 1.5° C, values that science defines as maximum to ensure the continuation of life on the planet without too heavy changes. It also set goals for increasing adaptability to adverse impacts of climate change and mobilizing financial flows consistent with low emission trajectories and resilient development, emphasizing the need to strengthen international cooperation among states to achieve these goals. Portugal has presented excellent results in terms of climate policy in the last decades, having exceeded the objectives defined in the framework of the Kyoto Protocol and being in line with the targets set for 2020 to reduce GHG emissions, energy efficiency and the promotion of sources of renewable energy. Since 2005, the national economy has tended to dissociate between economic growth and GHG emissions. In 2016, the Government of Portugal took on the commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, providing a clear picture of the decarbonisation of the national economy and contributing to the more ambitious objectives of the Paris Agreement. The Annex approves the Long Term Strategy for the Carbon Neutrality of the Portuguese Economy in 2050.
In order to achieve this, the Carbon Neutrality Roadmap 2050 (RNC 2050) was developed to identify the main decarbonization vectors in all sectors of the economy, the policy and measures options, and the path to reduce emissions to achieve this goal in different socio-economic development scenarios. All sectors should contribute to reducing emissions, increasing efficiency and innovation, promoting improvements in buildings, agriculture, waste management and industry, electric production and transport. RNC 2050 is also the long-term, low-GHG national long-term development strategy to be submitted to the UNFCCC under the Paris Agreement and to the European Commission in accordance with the EU Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action.