Matosinhos is a Portuguese Municipality belonging to the Greater Metropolitan Area of Porto. Boasting a dense urban population of around 172,000 (INE, 2021), it is a unique combination of seaside, new architecture, pilgrim and historical monuments, while remaining one of the most industrialised municipalities in the country.
Matosinhos has changed from an industrial based economy to a more service oriented one, largely tourism related, while still maintaining strong fishing activities and over 500 industrial units across diverse sectors.
Matosinhos is committed to tackling environmental and climate challenges using the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and numerous environmental projects, including the recovery of green and blue corridors, biodiversity protection, and the commitment to circular economy, among several others.
In 2022, the Municipality of Matosinhos made a commitment to reduce by 85% (taking into account the base year) the emission of greenhouse gases in the territory, anticipating carbon neutrality by 2030. The Municipality intends to increase its resilience and prepare its citizens and entities for the adverse impacts of climate change.
A set of priority action areas was defined to achieve the proposed objective, namely: Energy Efficiency; Renewable energy; Sustainable Mobility; Engagement of Stakeholders and Citizens; Financing and Municipal Action.
There are already ongoing initiatives in each of these areas, from the energy rehabilitation of municipal buildings, public lighting, photovoltaic installations, the promotion of electric mobility, the creation of the Matosinhos Energy Hub and the granting of tax benefits for the rehabilitation of buildings.
In Matosinhos the future has already arrived. Climate change is already a reality and does not ask for authorization to change our lives. Matosinhos assumes a leadership commitment in combating the climate crisis we are experiencing with the ambition to bring forward the carbon neutrality expected for 2050 to 2030. It is an ambitious pledge, but one that the Municipality assumes with commitment and energy to achieve it.
- Luísa Salgueiro, Mayor of Matosinhos
Matosinhos works closely together with ICLEI on Making Cities Resilient 2030, Cities With Nature, the Covenant of Mayors, and the Green City Accord.
"We have been very pleased to have Matosinhos join as ICLEI Member. Their innovative, inspiring, and systematic work in resilience and disaster risk reduction, and their role as a MCR2030 Resilience Hub will be an invaluable addition to the ICLEI network and knowledge resources available to fellow cities," says Wolfgang Teubner, European Director, ICLEI Europe.
