Climate Change: Mitigation
Everything comes down to nature
Braga City Council has developed a set of initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, committing to reducing them by 55% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Braga has been a pioneer in the development of a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (which gives priority to pedestrian, cycling and public transport), for which physical transformations have been developed in public spaces. It promoted the Braga Business Mobility Pact, has now replaced 60% of its public transport fleet with electric and natural gas vehicles (reducing 13% in emissions per travelled distance - an effort that will continue until 2030), is replacing all public lighting using LED lamps and is promoting the creation of renewable energy communities.
Good Practices
Description and Objectives
Environmental awareness programme held annually, over a week, featuring various activities involving the school community, companies, associations, and parish councils. Several initiatives are carried out, such as:
- Planting of native trees and shrubs.
- Distribution of seeds and provision of trees and shrubs.
- Lectures and presentations.
- Exhibitions.
- Engagement – in each edition a target for the number of plantations to be carried out is set.
Current and/or potential future impact
Environmental
- Preservation of natural heritage
- Promotion of biodiversity
- GHG reduction and contribution for mitigation of climate change
- Environmental education and awareness of children and general population
Social
- Leisure and recreational space
- Social inclusion (accessible to all)
- Health promotion
Economic
- Tourism development
- Investment attractiveness
Contributes to the sustainability transitions
- Green transition
- Climate transition
- Social transition
Innovative nature and potential for replication in other cities
Approach to environmental education and community engagement – the involvement of multiple stakeholders (including school communities, businesses, associations, and local authorities) demonstrates a collaborative effort towards a common goal. This project is significant due to the scalability and adaptability of the programme, and the core activities can be tailored to suit the specific needs and characteristics of different cities.
Engagement with stakeholders and communication strategies
Understanding the interests, concerns, and potential contributions of each stakeholder group towards the success of the programme is crucial. Thus, establishing various communication channels such as meetings, emails and social media platforms to disseminate information about the programme and gather feedback from stakeholders is an asset to provide regular updates on its progress, upcoming activities, and achievements to keep stakeholders informed and engaged. Organizing community engagement events such as tree planting, presentations, school meetings and even plogging (a combination of jogging and picking up litter) to encourage active participation and dialogue among stakeholders.
Description and Objectives
This activity, associated with the World Forest Day (21st March) and World Water Day (22nd March), aims to enhance the value of the forest and water resources. The school community and citizens are encouraged to plant trees and shrubs near schools and residences, enabling them to water the plants regularly. Additionally, participants are challenged to adopt and be engaged in the cleaning of watercourses’ sections (“Rios” project). Moreover, individuals are invited to take walks to the sources of these watercourses to gain a better understanding of their surroundings and importance.
Current and/or potential future impact
Environmental
- Preservation of natural heritage
- Promotion of biodiversity
- Improvement of water quality
- GHG reduction and contribution for mitigation of climate change
- Environmental education and awareness of children and general population
Social
- Leisure and recreational space
- Social inclusion (accessible to all)
- Health promotion
Economic
- Tourism development
- Investment attractiveness
- Improvement of ecosystem services.
Contributes to the sustainability transitions
- Green transition
- Climate transition
- Social transition
Innovative nature and potential for replication in other cities
By leveraging the significance of the World Forest Day and the World Water Day, the project capitalizes on existing awareness and momentum around these global events. One innovative aspect is the emphasis on hands-on participation, where both the school community and citizens are actively engaged in tree planting and adopting watercourses sections. This approach not only promotes environmental stewardship but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among participants towards their local ecosystems. Furthermore, the integration of the “Rios” project, which involves adopting sections of watercourses and cleaning nearby watercourses, demonstrates a collaborative effort to improve water quality and ecosystem health. This collaborative approach can serve as a model for other cities seeking to address similar environmental challenges.
Engagement with stakeholders and communication strategies
Communication strategies include leveraging existing awareness days (World Forest Day and World Water Day) to generate interest and participation, as well as using various communication channels, such as social media, community meetings and educational materials to disseminate information and engage stakeholders.
Description and Objectives
In 2013, Braga Municipality established the Department of Rural Development, implementing measures to promote and enhance rural areas. One such measure was supporting the creation and expansion of Urban Gardens, including community, social, inclusive, and educational ones. Initially, Braga had one community garden in Parada de Tibães, which still exists today. Since then, the Municipality, along with Parish Councils, has facilitated the creation of seven new operational gardens. Currently there are 10 urban gardens (with more than 30 000 m2 of cultivated area by around 2 thousand inhabitants), 33 school gardens (with 3 136 m2), and 5 social gardens (with 462 m2). These urban gardens projects aim to restore biodiversity, promote the circularity of organic matter, promote mitigation and adaptation to climate change, create healthy consumption habits and provide moments of sharing, learning and conviviality among its users.
Current and/or potential future impact
Environmental
- Promotion of sustainable practices
- Promotion of organic farming methods
- Contribution to local ecosystem health and resilience
- GHG reduction and contribution for mitigation of climate change
Social
- Contribution to a deeper understanding of rural life and traditions.
- Social inclusion (accessible to all)
Economic
- Tourism development
- Supporting local agriculture
- Promotion of self-consumption agriculture
- Economic support to beneficiaries
Contributes to the sustainability transitions
- Green transition
- Climate transition
- Social transition
Innovative nature and potential for replication in other cities
The creation and expansion of urban gardens demonstrates an innovative approach to urban planning and community development. By integrating urban gardening initiatives into its rural development strategy, Braga has shown a commitment to promoting sustainable living practices, enhancing food security, and fostering community engagement. This model has the potential to be replicated in other cities seeking to address similar challenges, such as promoting green spaces, improving access to fresh products, and strengthening community bonds.
Engagement with stakeholders and communication strategies
The Pedagogical Farm published the technical brochure ‘Urban Gardens Network of Braga,’ which promotes knowledge about urban agriculture. By involving Parish Councils and collaborating with local communities, the Municipality ensures that the development of urban gardens is inclusive and responsive to the needs of citizens. Additionally, effective communication channels, such as presentations and social media platforms, facilitate ongoing dialogue and information sharing.
