José Pimenta Machado has been the president of APA (Portuguese Environmental Agency), the organisation responsible for implementing environmental policy in Portugal, for just a little more than six months. The APA aims to contribute to a high level of environmental protection and improvement by providing quality services to citizens. As part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), the agency has been monitoring the implementation of the three integrated projects of Component Twelve – Sustainable Economy of the PRR, which cover the footwear, textile and clothing, and resin sectors. In an interview with the APICCAPS newspaper, José Pimenta Machado argues that “the PRR represents a unique opportunity to boost sustainable economic growth in Portugal, based on best environmental practices and the preservation of biodiversity”.
The APA recently sponsored the participation of the footwear, textile and clothing, and resin sectors in the Macau International Forum. What do you think of this participation?
The participation of the Portuguese delegation in the Macau International Forum was sponsored by the APA (Portuguese Environment Agency), but from the outset, it had the full support and enthusiasm of the consortia from the three sectors.
Looking back on my participation in the Forum, which showcased the most innovative work being done in Portugal by the footwear, textiles and clothing and resin sectors in the context of the sustainable bioeconomy, I conclude that it was a clear success.
In addition to the impact on the visitors of the Forum, this participation was highly praised by the organisers of the event, by the participating entities that interacted with our delegation and by the local media, namely the local television – Teledifusão de Macau, which showed interest in interviewing all the entities involved in the design of the “Portugal Circular – Embracing Bioeconomy Towards Sustainability” stand – APA and Consortia.
In fact, it was a participation that fulfilled the objective we had set ourselves to show that Portugal is a country at the forefront of innovation in the field of sustainable bioeconomy, and this is the result of the excellent work carried out by the consortia involved, whom I would like to congratulate once again.
How do the solutions presented compare with what we know about the bioeconomy in Portugal? And what elements surprised you most about the approach to the bioeconomy taken by APICCAPS and the Footwear Technology Centre under the BioShoes4All project?
The agency has monitored the physical implementation of the three Integrated Projects of Component 12 – Sustainable Bioeconomy of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), which cover the footwear, textile and clothing, and natural resin sectors.
In this process, it has been possible to accompany and promote the excellent work that Portuguese companies and higher education institutions have done in developing new business models, new processes, and new products in the bioeconomy.
It seems to me that Portuguese society in general is not fully aware of the level of development that our companies have reached, which places them at the forefront of innovation in the bioeconomy and sustainability in certain sectors. For example, the BioShoes4All project consortium has brought to this forum demonstrators of innovation, while preserving the essence of a very Portuguese product, leather tanned with plant extracts from different plants. The consortium has managed to obtain the excellent quality leather so typical of Portugal, but produced more sustainably, with fewer toxic compounds and less water consumption, which, as we know, is a precious commodity that is becoming increasingly scarce.
What do you expect the BioShoes4All project to contribute to the footwear cluster?
I have always been convinced, and the evidence confirms this, that the PRR represents a unique opportunity to boost sustainable economic growth in Portugal, based on best environmental practices and the preservation of biodiversity.
And this is what I see in Component 12 – Sustainable Bioeconomy, which is part of the PRR’s Climate Transition dimension, and which includes the integrated projects of the three sectors. I believe that the BioShoes4All project will be crucial for the future of the footwear cluster for three reasons: firstly, for being able to bring together around 70 relevant organisations in the sector in a consortium that has joined forces and is committed to taking this project forward – and here the role of APICCAPS and CTCP as leaders of the consortium should be appreciated; secondly, for the investment of around 72 million euros in the sector, which will allow it to develop and prepare companies to adapt to new technologies, develop new business models and new innovative products; and finally, for the opportunity of international projection and dissemination, which will undoubtedly take Portuguese footwear all over the world and conquer new, differentiated markets of excellence. Indeed, I was able to see all of this at the Macau International Forum.
How do you assess the potential of such projects for transforming the Portuguese economy?
The Portuguese economy needs to be transformed, and in addition to strengthening the Sustainable Bioeconomy, it is also necessary to invest in the transition to a Circular Economy.
In fact, these two concepts articulate easily and complement each other. In this sense, the transformation must include, on the one hand, replacing the use of fossil-based raw materials with bio-based ones, which will reduce our dependence on highly volatile markets and bring us closer to achieving carbon neutrality; and, on the other hand, moving towards a more circular economy in which the useful life of products is extended, for example through recycling, reuse or repair, and less waste is produced.
There is a need for new models of economic development that prioritise nature, ecosystems, and the health and well-being of people.
Well, the work already carried out and presented by the three Integrated Projects of Component 12 – Sustainable Bioeconomy of the PRR has done just that, and I firmly believe that it is these examples, these good practices, that will help Portugal achieve the transformation it needs.
In fact, these three sectors will make it possible to demonstrate the potential for using bio-based resources and the feasibility of moving to higher value-added processes and technologies, which will then make it possible to replicate the solutions found in different sectors of activity and disseminate similar initiatives in other value chains.
Given that the circular economy is a national and even European goal, what new projects will be developed in the coming years?
Today’s society consumes more resources than our planet can provide. This situation is not sustainable.
That’s why I believe that the transition to a circular economy is urgent and imperative at national, European and global levels.
At the national level, we are eagerly awaiting the approval of the new Circular Economy Action Plan, a joint initiative of the APA and the Directorate-General for Economic Activities (now the Directorate-General for the Economy). This Plan, with cross-cutting actions aimed at policy, funding, education, research and innovation and businesses; sectoral actions specifically designed for key sectors of the Portuguese economy; and actions to be implemented regionally, will be the key instrument to put Portugal on the path towards a more circular, sustainable and resilient economy, bringing us closer to the European Union’s circularity indices.
This year, in partnership with the three consortia of Component 12 of the PRR, we also plan to launch an innovative project, the ‘Travelling Exhibition | Circular Portugal – Partnerships in the Bioeconomy Towards Sustainability’ which aims to show municipalities, educational institutions (primary, secondary and higher), public administration bodies and international reference events the results achieved, and best practices adopted in the three Integrated Projects, which can be inspiring in this way. With this ‘travelling exhibition’, we hope to demonstrate to society as a whole that it is possible to change the paradigm, transform and innovate organisational and production processes, reduce dependence on fossil resources, and at the same time increase competitiveness and improve the quality of life of our society.
The presence at the Macau International Forum was, in fact, the first international participation planned as part of this project; as I mentioned earlier, it was a great success because visitors were able to see that Portugal is achieving what some people still idealise.
All of this demonstrates the commitment of the APA and the key sectors mentioned above to the transition to a circular economy that Portuguese society so desperately needs.
Europe has made a very ambitious public commitment with the European Green Deal. Will Portugal be able to lead the way?
The European Green Deal is the central instrument for leading Europe towards an ecological transition that will make it possible to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
But it’s not just about achieving carbon neutrality – the European Green Deal represents a strong commitment to a circular economy, cleaner and more sustainable industries, restoring nature, healthier farming practices and ensuring that no one is left behind in this transition.
The importance of the European Green Deal is undeniable, as is the determination with which Portugal is positioning itself to fulfil it. I believe that Portugal will do its best, and we are proud of the path we have taken.