Ana Fontoura Gouveia, Portuguese Secretary of State for Energy and Climate, emphasised the significance of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), noting its timely occurrence and favourable location for global progress. She expressed confidence in the potential for the conference to yield a sense of achievement.

In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during her participation in the COP28, she emphasised the conference’s slogan of “decisive moment for action”, highlighting the need for rapid collective work. She also praised countries’ contributions to the Loss and Damage fund, which will aid nations most vulnerable to extreme climate events. Portugal was among the countries that pledged to the fund, according to her.

She emphasised the necessity for everyone to play a role in the climate transition, highlighting the responsibility of major economies and corporations to contribute. Expressing confidence in attaining shared objectives, she stressed the importance of elevating ambitions w
orldwide to achieve the global 1.5-degree goal.

Additionally, she highlighted how Portugal views climate and energy transformation as genuine opportunities, noting their success in leveraging these opportunities to attract investments and create jobs.

Gouveia expressed her confidence in Portugal’s ability to reach the goal of net-zero emissions by 2045, pointing out that it aims to integrate renewable energy sources by 80 percent by 2026, and 85 percent by 2030, which is an ambitious percentage.

She also indicated that Portugal is moving quickly and is considered a true example of the possibility of removing carbon and creating new investment and job opportunities in the climate transformation journey.

In conclusion, she stated that Portugal is involved in numerous initiatives, including the commitment to tripling renewable energy sources and doubling energy efficiency.

Source: Emirates News Agency