News

Green energy production reaches 55% and breaks a record

Energy production from renewable sources in Madeira reached a record high of 55% in the first quarter of 2026, representing the best result ever recorded in the region. This performance was driven primarily by an increase in hydroelectric production, boosted by favourable weather conditions and investments made in recent years in sustainable energy infrastructure. …

Porto Santo hosts the 4th Biosphere Reserves Festival

Porto Santo will host the 4th Biosphere Reserves Festival between 24 April and 2 May, an initiative dedicated to promoting and raising awareness of the areas designated by UNESCO. The event brings together managers of Biosphere Reserves in Portugal and representatives of the National MaB Committee, highlighting the importance of these areas for nature …

Madeira is boosting its Forest Fire Detection System with €4 million

The Autonomous Region of Madeira is set to strengthen the Forest Fire Detection System (SDIFRAM) through an investment of around four million euros, with the aim of enhancing surveillance capabilities and early response to rural fires. The new phase of the project involves the installation of 52 additional CCTV cameras, extending the system’s coverage …

Madeira Games Summit puts Funchal in the spotlight

The Madeira Games Summit returns to Funchal in May 2026, establishing the region as an international hub for the video games industry. As part of the eGames Lab project, the event will bring together producers, investors, experts and world-leading companies, promoting technological innovation and economic development linked to the digital economy.

The initiative, organised …

The Municipal Garden is a showcase for sustainability

Funchal Municipal Gardens hosted the 4th edition of the Environmental Theatre Festival, an initiative organised by Funchal City Council that brought together schools, associations and the local community to raise environmental awareness. Under the theme “Green Attitude for a Healthy Planet”, the event highlighted the importance of environmental conservation through art, creativity and intergenerational …

Madeira steps up its efforts to tackle marine litter

The Regional Directorate for the Environment and the Sea (DRAM) attended the coordination meeting for the European Free Litter_AT project, which took place at the King Carlos I Maritime Museum, bringing together partners from Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland. The Region was represented by experts Pedro Sepúlveda and Nicola Pestana, who collaborated on planning …

Wildlife to benefit from a scientific monitoring programme

The Selvagens Islands Nature Reserve now has a long-term scientific monitoring program, published in the Bulletin of the Funchal Museum of Natural History. This document is the result of a joint effort led by the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN), involving more than 80 experts from 28 institutions, with the aim of …

“Green Key” returns to hotels with verification visits

The Regional Directorate for the Environment and the Sea (DRAM) has begun technical inspection visits to tourist establishments in Madeira as part of the 2026 edition of the Green Key program. These inspections, conducted by the Division of Environmental Education and Citizenship, aim to assess compliance with environmental and social criteria, such as water …