1.Using public Transport- The transport sector is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in Europe – and that includes private vehicles. Therefore, cutting down the amount of time you spend behind the wheel of your gas guzzler is a healthy way to reduce your carbon footprint. And thankfully, there are plenty of ways to do this. One of the easiest ways to cut down your car use is to simply let the train take the strain – or the metro, bus, or tram. You get the idea. Fortunately, Portugal is home to a dense and accessible public transport network that spans the entire country; offering routes between and within the major cities and towns.
2. Shop Local – One of the underrated pleasures of living abroad is browsing the aisles of the local grocery store and seeing all the interesting foods on offer. However, as great as Portuguese supermarkets are, the ‘food miles’ (the term used for the distance your food travels before it hits the store) of those goodies can quickly add up. Indeed, many everyday essentials rack up huge kilometer counts on their journey to your plate. This all creates carbon emissions, so cutting down is a great way to live sustainably in Portugal. Luckily, there are a few ways to do this in Portugal. For instance, you can start by making more environmentally-focused decisions in-store, such as buying locally sourced or in-season produce instead of more exotic goods. Alternatively, you could give your nearest supermarket a miss and head to your local food market instead. Not only is this a great way to get to know your neighborhood, but it will also give you peace of mind that the goods you are buying are locally produced.
3. Sign up with a green supplier – Living more sustainably in Portugal can be as simple as flicking a switch in your living room. Indeed, signing up with a green energy supplier in your new home is easier than ever, as an increasing number of providers are looking to improve their renewable energy offering. However, while you might expect solar power to lead the way in this sunny country, it doesn’t even come close. In fact, in the first quarter of 2021, it was actually wind and hydropower that produced most of the country’s green electricity.
4. Making your own renewable Energy – If looking closer to home for ways to live sustainably in Portugal, then you might want to consider getting your very own renewable energy resource. With all the sunshine Portugal enjoys each and every year, solar panels are quickly becoming the new must-have accessory for expats and locals alike
