The meeting took place in the Noble Hall of the Paços do Concelho and marked the debut of this Council, an advisory body supporting the Évora Municipal Chamber, created in the current term from an adaptation of the previous Environment Council.
Considering climate crisis a high priority, the Municipality has been implementing strategic measures to face its impacts, in collaboration with local, national, and European entities.
During the session, council members were sworn in, originating from various municipal and national entities. The President of the Évora Municipal Chamber, Carlos Zorrinho, emphasized the importance of consistent and swift work for the region's development, safeguarding democracy and citizenship, and attracting essential EU funds for climate change and energy transition projects.
Zorrinho also highlighted the planning carried out by municipal services and the value of public participation, which is reflected in the municipal strategic plans.
Areas of focus include water management, conscious energy transition, environmental quality, sustainable mobility, and resilient urban planning. The President of the Évora Municipal Assembly, Jorge Araújo, stressed that "it is up to the Municipality to prepare Évora so that the population can comfortably survive the increasingly violent climate changes," calling for continued effort in both public and private spaces.
The Head of the Municipal Environment and Mobility Division, Daniel Valente, underscored the European Union's concern regarding legislation and the encouragement of planning measures by national and local authorities.
The Council will reconvene next quarter to work on a dynamic citizenship pact for Évora's sustainable development, based on a summary document and contributions from the council members.
