Building on this perspective, in statements to Lusa in Macau, José Pimenta Machado stressed the urgent need for adaptation and to look to Chinese technology as an ally, after the first months of 2026 were marked by “unparalleled” meteorological phenomena that put the entire national territory on alert.

This alert came as January and February of 2026 broke the rainfall record of the last 47 years in the Iberian Peninsula, according to the Spanish State Meteorological Agency.

“I think I have never seen and never known a situation like what happened this year, in which the whole country was on flood alert,” said Pimenta Machado, highlighting that, unlike previous years, the events ceased to be localised and affected Portugal “from north to south, to the east”.

Adapting to climate change

The Minister of the Environment also warned on 25 March that adapting to climate change is “the biggest issue” facing the country and that crises stemming from it underscore the importance of early warning systems.

Reiterating the Minister's position, she gave examples of measures to be taken: “Not authorising new construction in risk areas,” recalling that more than 100,000 people in Portugal currently live in areas at risk of flooding, occupying “space that belongs to the river.”

Beyond river management, the coastal strip—which stretches for about 1,000 kilometres between Caminha and Vila Real de Santo António—emerges as a major concern, with 20% of its length eroded.

“Adapting is not an option, it’s an obligation,” reinforced Pimenta Machado, pointing to monitoring and early warning systems as fundamental to “minimising the impact” and protecting populations.

Presence in Macau

Present in Macau to participate in the Macau International Environmental Cooperation Forum and Exhibition 2026 (MIECF), the APA president identified China as a strategic partner in decarbonization.

Despite being the second-largest global emitter of greenhouse gases, the Chinese leader sees the country’s commitment to sustainability as an example in specific areas.

“There is a very clear path of investment in the area of ​​renewable energies, China, in wind and solar energy, and in the reduction of greenhouse gases,” observed Machado, also highlighting the electric vehicle industry, which presents “very competitive prices from a technological point of view” and which could be crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Portugal.

The Chinese manufacturer of new energy vehicles, BYD, for example, registered 6,059 passenger cars in 2025, an increase of 94.1% compared to 2024, the brand’s first full year in Portugal, and ended the year with a market share of 2.7%.

Chinese authorities have warned that the country is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with record levels of warming and sea-level rise, and average annual temperatures and coastal levels reaching peaks in 2024.

China maintains its goals of reaching peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060.

The new five-year plan (2026-2030), approved this month, focuses on “boosting green and low-carbon development” and “promoting the energy transition.”