The conference set a landmark in mobilising Portuguese local governments on local climate action.

Renowned international and Portuguese speakers, as well as some participants shared good examples and discussed the way forward. The event provided an overview of the impacts of climate change and the importance of local climate protection action – both from a mitigation and adaptation perspective.

Excellent presentations were made by representatives from the Covenant of Mayors Secretariat, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign and advanced European Cities such as Växjö, a Swedish city awarded the "Sustainable Energy Award" and "the best environmental practice in Baltic Cities Award".

Opening Session, 28 May 2009, Almada, Portugal

A particular highlight was the submission of the Portuguese LG positions on the way forward - as their perspective feeding into the Local Government Climate Roadmap. Fifty local governments signed up to this input, and the results were handed over to ICLEI’s Deputy Secretary General, Gino Van Begin, and a representative of the Portuguese Ministry of the Environment, Territory and Regional Development who will follow the international post-2012 negotiations.

By signing the document, Portuguese local governments set an excellent example of how vertical and horizontal mobilisation can lead to synergy and unity.