Costa Caparica's beach sand to be substituted
Costa da Caparica and S. João da Caparica witness essential coastal protection work, involving the replacement of a substantial amount of sand on their beaches. The Ministry of Portugal has taken the initiative to undertake this project, which forms part of a broader coastal protection strategy aimed at preserving the integrity of these crucial tourism and ecosystem hotspots.
The project involves replacing one million cubic meters of sand, with an estimated total investment of nearly €10.6 million. This investment is a combination of European funds, acquired through the Thematic Programme for Climate Action and Sustainability (PACS), and funds from the Lisbon Port Administration.
The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) is spearheading the effort, with supervision by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the Administration of the Port of Lisbon, S.A. The main objective of this operation is to protect people, property, and infrastructure by reinforcing the coastline's stability, reducing vulnerability to overtopping and flooding, and shielding existing infrastructure and adjacent works.
The intervention is exempt from environmental impact assessment, and is accompanied by a systematic technical monitoring and follow-up plan to ensure the operation's effectiveness and rigor. This measure is seen as a proactive step to safeguard the region from climate change impacts.
Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Minister of Environment and Energy, views this intervention as a prime example of preventive and structured action aimed at protecting the territory from climate change. She emphasizes that the investment represents not only a safety measure for the population and protection for coastal infrastructure, but also an opportunity for long-term environmental enhancement.
In January, the government announced its intention to invest €20.2 million in priority coastal works, including stabilizing cliffs, protecting infrastructure, and reinforcing vulnerable beaches. Aside from sand replacement, other ongoing or planned projects related to the area will likely focus on artificial feeding of beaches within the Municipality of Almada.
These projects are vital for maintaining the health and sustainability of these coastal regions, balancing environmental protection with economic development for the long-term benefit of these areas.
- The coastal protection project in Costa da Caparica and S. João da Caparica, involving the replacement of one million cubic meters of sand, is funded by a combination of European funds from the Thematic Programme for Climate Action and Sustainability (PACS) and funds from the Lisbon Port Administration, showcasing the intersection of environmental-science, finance, and industry.
- Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Minister of Environment and Energy, highlights this coastal intervention as a significant proactive step that not only safeguards the region from climate change impacts but also presents an opportunity for long-term environmental enhancement, bridging the gap between climate-change science and property protection.
- Apart from the sand replacement, other ongoing or planned projects related to the area, such as artificial feeding of beaches within the Municipality of Almada, focus on maintaining the health and sustainability of these coastal regions, while fostering a balance between environmental protection and economic development for the long-term benefit of these areas, thereby emphasizing the importance of energy efficiency in preserving both the environment and industry.
