Green Map threatens critical Algarve habitats, campaigners warn

Even the Algarve is ‘threatened’ by the swathe of ‘renewable energy acceleration zones’ envisaged by the government’s ‘Green Map’ – public participation over which ends this evening.

Today, in other words, is the final moment for people to make themselves heard – and an environmental coalition with impossible initials (PPSBAA) is urging as many people as possible to use it.

Standing for Platform for the Sustainability and Biodiversity of the Algarve and Alentejo, PPSBAA warns that the proposed renewable energy acceleration zones proposal – also presented with impossible initials: PSZAER – could put some of the Algarve’s most important wildlife habitats at risk, including breeding areas for the endangered Iberian lynx and key migratory bird corridors, as it overlaps with areas critical for the conservation of endangered and critically-endangered species.

PSZAER has been presented to the public as a means of speeding up the licensing of large-scale renewable energy projects by identifying areas considered suitable for new solar farms, wind parks and associated infrastructure.

The proposal designates around 7% of mainland Portugal as having potential for accelerated renewable energy development. The idea is to take these areas out of the control of municipalities, and do away with the need for environmental impact assessments for projects.

According to PPSBAA, the plan fails to safeguard the Algarve mountain migration corridor used by thousands of birds travelling to Africa each autumn, and does not adequately protect ecological corridors linking the Monchique and Caldeirão mountain ranges, nor the northeast Algarve with the Guadiana Valley and neighbouring Spain.

The platform says the designated zones include cork oak and holm oak woodlands, agroforestry mosaics and habitats that are essential for numerous threatened species.

It warns that renewable energy developments in these areas would almost certainly increase bird mortality through collisions, fragment habitats and create “barrier effects” that disrupt wildlife movement.

Among the species most likely to be affected are the Iberian lynx, Spanish imperial eagle, Bonelli’s eagle, black stork, black vulture, great bustard, little bustard, lesser kestrel, European roller, wildcat, European rabbit and several protected bat species.

Of particular concern, the platform says, are breeding and expansion areas for the Iberian lynx in the northeast Algarve. “Further industrialisation of the landscape” threatens to undermine decades of public investment and scientific work to restore the lynx species in southern Portugal, it warns – arguing, like so many others before them, that Portugal should prioritise renewable energy projects on already developed land – including rooftops, industrial estates and existing infrastructure – while expanding and/ or upgrading existing wind farms instead of opening up new natural areas.

PPSBAA is calling for the renewable energy acceleration plan to be revised to better balance Portugal’s clean energy ambitions with the protection of biodiversity. So are thousands of other people, and several affected municipalities.

Since appeals like this latest have started being publicised, the number of ‘participations’ over PSZAER have jumped exponentially, now numbering more than 6,000.

To access the page taking opinions until the end of this afternoon, click here.

Source material: LUSA