In the latest edition of COP30, held this year in Belém (Brazil), the 2026 report of the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) was released, an international indicator that evaluates countries’ performance in mitigating climate change. According to CCPI 2026, Portugal moved up three positions in the global ranking and now holds 12th place among the 63 countries assessed, which together represent around 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

What does moving up to 12th mean
In practice, although it is ranked 12th formally, Portugal is considered to be in a “moral 9th place,” because the top three positions remain empty — which shows that no country is yet fully aligned with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C.

Portugal performed particularly well in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, receiving a “high” rating. In the categories of energy use, renewable energy and climate policy, the rating was “medium.”

Recognition but with warnings about structural weaknesses
Despite the progress, several entities, namely the NGO ZERO, warn of issues that continue to compromise an effective climate transition in Portugal. These include:

• The transport sector, which continues to increase emissions: in 2023 it recorded a growth of 7% and, in 2022, accounted for around 29% of total national emissions.
• The persistence of subsidies and tax exemptions for fossil fuels, which weakens the “carbon price signal,” an essential mechanism to discourage polluting fuels.
• Concerns surrounding renewable energy plans: although investments exist, there are gaps in territorial planning and environmental impact assessment, which may compromise both the sustainability of projects and their social acceptance.

For Portugal to consolidate its position among countries with “good climate performance,” ZERO advocates more ambitious and coherent policies: strengthening sustainable mobility, eliminating incentives for fossil fuels, accelerating the energy transition, and adopting a “climate justice” approach to protect vulnerable groups during the transition.

International context: a ranking still far from ideal
The CCPI covers 63 countries, responsible for the vast majority of global emissions, and aims to compare the climate practices of each nation.

In the 2026 edition, the top three positions in the ranking remain empty: even the best-performing countries have not yet done enough to be truly aligned with the Paris Agreement goals.

Countries with the highest rankings include, for example, Denmark, which stands out in renewable energy, especially offshore; the United Kingdom, which has already phased out coal and moved up one position; and Morocco, recognized for its public transport policies and ambitious climate targets.

In contrast, several G20 countries still show “very low” performance, reinforcing that the global energy transition remains uneven and insufficient in the face of climate challenges.

Conclusion: visible progress, but still a long way to go
Portugal’s rise in the CCPI is undoubtedly a positive sign: it shows that the country has made progress in reducing emissions and in developing climate policies with a certain level of effectiveness. However, the warnings from ZERO and the data related to problematic sectors, particularly transport and dependence on fossil fuels, show that performance still falls short of what is ideal.

For Portugal to aspire to a “moral top position” in the fight against climate change, and not just a strong statistical ranking, it will be necessary to strengthen structural measures, ensure policy coherence and accelerate the energy and mobility transition. Otherwise, the environmental, economic and health risks associated with emissions may undermine recent gains.

Andreia Arenga
04.12.2025

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