The Portuguese National Strategy for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity 2030 (ENCNB 2030), approved by Council of Ministers Resolution No. 55/2018, includes among its strategic options the consolidation of the Fundamental Network for Nature Conservation and the National System of Classified Areas - SNAC, approved in 2008 and republished in  2015. This system assimilates the National Network of Protected Areas - RNAP, important for the promotion and enhancement of Protected Areas. Ensuring the conservation of their natural, cultural, and social heritage of the Natura 2000 Network.

Since the beginning of ENCNB 2030 (NBSAP)  several strategic documents with implications for nature conservation policies have been approved, issuing guidance or imposing obligations on the Portuguese National Authorities:

• The European Union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, guided by objectives for the conservation and restoration of species, habitats, and ecosystems, which includes the commitment to legally protect at least 30% of land (including inland waters) and 30% of the sea within the Union, of which at least one third (representing 10% of land and 10% of EU seas) must be strictly protected;
• The new Nature Restoration Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1991), under which EU Member States must meet objectives for restoring at least 20% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.
• The GBF Goal is to including the conservation and effective management of at least 30% of the world’s land, coastal areas, and oceans, and the restoration of 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. 

In 2025, in response to the need for updating, the ENCNB 2030 (NBSAP) was revised and published in the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 125/2026, with the primary objective of incorporating new commitments and guidelines, in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration.

The draft revision was subject to public consultation between 17 July and 9 October 2025, enabling the collection of contributions that strengthened the final version. This update aims to consolidate the Strategy as the central instrument of national public policy for nature conservation and ecological restoration.

The ENCNB 2030 (NBSAP) is now structured around four strategic pillars:

1. Pillar 1: Conservation and Restoration of Ecosystems;
2. Pillar 2: Integrated and Sustainable Land Management;
3. Pillar 3: Economic and Social Valuation of Biodiversity and Geodiversity;
4. Pillar 4: Governance and Knowledge.

This new structure aims to overcome previously existing overlaps and clarify the distinction between instrumental dimensions (governance, knowledge and funding) and operational dimensions (on-the-ground actions and territorial management instruments). The renewed framework provides a more coherent and comprehensive approach, linking ecological interventions with spatial planning and territorial development, and recognising the role of society and the economy.

Within this new model, the following stand out:

1. The explicit integration of the concept of ecological restoration, which now occupies a central position, with specific measures, technical criteria, funding and monitoring;
2. The incorporation of the climate dimension, reflected across objectives and measures, with emphasis on nature-based solutions, the energy transition and ecosystem resilience;
3. The recognition of the contribution of civil society, the private sector and local communities, promoting sustainable consumption, certification, nature tourism and resource mobilisation;
4. The introduction of previously absent or underdeveloped topics, such as human–wildlife conflict management, pollution and biodiversity, urban green spaces, biosecurity and environmental justice.

Portugal is recognised for its natural wealth, both terrestrial and marine, possessing an exceptional diversity of species, habitats, ecosystems and geosites, whose relevance extends to the European and global levels. This wealth constitutes a strategic asset for sustainable development, climate resilience and the country’s international standing.

Accordingly to the Council of Ministers Resolution the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), will ensure coordination of the implementation of the ENCNB 2030 (NBSAP) and the members of the Government responsible for the areas of environment, agriculture, forests, sea, fisheries, energy, spatial planning, infrastructure, tourism, education, science and finance shall ensure the integration of ENCNB 2030 (NBSAP) measures into their respective planning instruments and sectoral policies, participating in the implementation of measures directly related to their areas.

The revision of the ENCNB 2030 (NBSAP) marks the transition to a more ambitious and integrated model that combines conservation, restoration, and the economic valorisation of biodiversity, positioning natural heritage as a cornerstone of sustainable development and climate resilience in Portugal.

In 2025, the ENCNB 2030 (NBSAP) was revised in the sense of its  alignment with the GBF,  and the  update was published in July 2026. 

The implementation deadline remained unchanged, extending to 2030, with work having been carried out since 2018, when the first version of the National Strategy was published.

As mentioned earlier, the main objective of this revision was to incorporate new commitments and guidelines, in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration.