Establishment of the climate agency (ApC)

The much-anticipated Climate Agency (ApC) has been formally established today by means of Decree-Law No. 122/2024, of December 31, consolidating the services previously under the Secretariat-General of the Ministry of the Environment.

This agency will serve as a central entity for the implementation of national and strategic climate action policies, particularly the National Energy and Climate Plan (PNEC 2030). One of the ApC’s primary objectives is to address the most ambitious climate action challenges, ensuring greater responsiveness and strengthening the planning and execution of key measures, such as combating climate change.

Among the main functions and responsibilities, the Climate Agency (ApC) will assume are the following:

• Acting as the National Competent Authority for the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), a role previously held by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), as well as serving as the administrator and manager of the Portuguese Emissions Trading Registry (RPLE).
• Monitoring the development of economic and financial instruments in the field of climate change, particularly those related to the carbon market.
• Managing and coordinating funds, programs, and projects at the national, European, and international levels, aimed at supporting environmental and climate transition policies, including:
  1. The Environmental Fund (Fundo Ambiental);
  2. The European Economic Area Financial Mechanism (EEA Grants);
  3. The Modernization Fund (Fundo de Modernização);
  4. The Social Climate Fund (Fundo Social para a Ação Climática); and
  5. The Blue Fund (Fundo Azul).

In light of the new functions and competencies assigned to the Climate Agency, significant amendments have been made to the following legal frameworks: Decree-Law No. 56/2012, of March 12, which establishes the organizational structure of the Portuguese Environment Agency; Decree-Law No. 42-A/2016, of August 12, which creates the Environmental Fund; and Decree-Law No. 16/2016, of March 9, which creates the Blue Fund.

For further information regarding the establishment of this new agency, you may access the full text of Decree-Law No. 122/2024, of December 31, (only available in Portuguese).