OECD Policy Coherence Scan of Portugal

4. Conclusion

Abstract

This concluding chapter offers a clear-sighted summary of Portugal’s strengths, areas for improvements and possible ways ahead towards enhanced policy coherence for sustainable development (PCSD). It reinforces the importance of implementing PCSD approaches over time, across sectors, at all levels of government, and in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders, with a view to support more integrated, responsive, and forward-looking governance. The chapter, and the report in its entirety, aims to equip policymakers with a shared reference point and a practical basis for collective action towards a more sustainable and inclusive future in Portugal.

Strengths

Portugal's national context for implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the result of early initiatives like the National Strategy for Sustainable Development in 1995 and more recent developments, such as the Green Growth Commitment in 2015, and updates to the National Strategy for Sustainable Development in 2022. The integration of the SDGs into national policies is well-aligned with EU frameworks, including the Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and the Fit for 55 Package.

Key actors within Portugal's institutional framework – e.g. the Centre for Planning and Evaluation of Public Policies (PLANAPP), the Camões IP (Instituto da Cooperação e da Lingua, IP) and the National Institute of Administration (INA) – play important roles in co-ordinating, analysing, and implementing sustainable development initiatives that seek to adhere to OECD principles on policy coherence for sustainable development (PCSD).

Portugal exhibits political commitment and leadership by integrating the SDGs into national policies and engaging in international forums, enhancing whole-of-government approaches. The government also shows dedication to policy integration through ongoing mapping exercises, budget initiatives and capacity building, ensuring alignment with sustainable development goals across sectors and levels of government.

Co-ordinating mechanisms and networks such as REPLAN, and capacity-building efforts within public administrations contribute to whole-of-government co-ordination, fostering mutually supporting actions across sectors. The promotion of PCSD at all levels of government and the synergies among national, regional, and local policies underscore Portugal's commitment to sub-national engagement. The country proactively engages stakeholders, involving civil society and non-governmental actors in policy-making processes to ensure that diverse perspectives are considered.

Regular impact assessments, investment in statistical infrastructure, and adherence to international standards demonstrate Portugal's commitment to assessing policy and financing impacts, contributing positively both domestically and internationally. Finally, Portugal's monitoring frameworks, statistical system, and commitment to regular SDG reporting underpin evidence-informed decision-making. In this context, Portugal’s initial reporting on global SDG indicator 17.14.1 Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance PCSD, with the involvement of the Ministry of Finance, provides an important foundation for advancing and tracking progress on PCSD.

Areas for improvement

While Portugal shows an overarching commitment to sustainable development, the country has not identified specific priority areas, limiting its ability to set clear goals for PCSD and benchmarks for progress. The proposed National Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2030 (RNDS 2030), currently under government review, holds significant promise for improvements.

Leadership and clarity in mandates, particularly in strategically aligning the SDGs with national policies, could be strengthened through a clear prioritisation strategy for the SDGs. Moreover, a long-term vision beyond 2030 could help to future-proof policies that impact on coherence across sectors and countries. There is also potential for more systematic use of strategic foresight, scenario development and systems thinking in policy-making processes.

In terms of policy integration, a more regular dialogue on PCSD could help ensure alignment of sectoral policies with the SDGs, while targeted efforts could support regional and territorial development integration. Whole-of-government co-ordination could be strengthened to explicitly address PCSD across different government sectors and institutions. Sub-national engagement shows some discrepancies in regional and local capacity and suggests limited engagement in policymaking and awareness of PCSD at the local level. Stakeholder engagement could be more proactive to strengthen the potential for diverse perspectives and expertise incorporation at crucial early stages of policymaking. Portugal could also complement its SDG monitoring and reporting system by reporting a second time on global SDG indicator 17.14.1.

Looking ahead

To strengthen political commitment and leadership for PCSD, Portugal could develop detailed action plans with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives, integrate poverty, gender, and human rights perspectives into all policy frameworks, and invest in capacity building and public awareness campaigns.

Establishing a strategic long-term vision requires Portugal to detail how its strategies contribute to sustainable development outcomes and enhance institutional arrangements for better co-ordination and mandate clarification. Policy integration can be improved by linking budget processes and public procurement with sustainable development objectives, strengthening regional development integration, and adopting a whole-of-government approach. Whole-of-government co-ordination would benefit from enhanced formal governance arrangements, clarified mandates and broader stakeholder engagement.

Portugal could also strengthen capacity building for data collection and management and modify evaluation systems to include a policy coherence dimension.

Portugal’s draft RNDS 2030, currently under government review, would provide an important vehicle for catalysing coherent policymaking towards 2030 (PTSUSTENTÁVEL, 2025[10]).

References

[14] ANMP (n.d.), Municipal Section for the Sustainable Development Goals, https://anmp.pt/anmport/seccoes-de-municipios/seccao-de-municipios-objetivos-de-desenvolvimento-sustentavel/.

[2] ENDS (2006), Why this Strategy?, https://desenvolvimentosustentavel.pt/pt/desenvolvimentosustentavel/porque-esta-estrategia/lista.aspx.

[10] European Commission (2021), Commission and Portuguese Presidency announce Social Summit in Porto, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/it/ip_21_101.

[11] European Parliament and Council (2021), Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32021R1119.

[8] Government of Portugal (2023), 2023 Voluntary National Review Portugal, https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/vnrs/2023/Portugal_VNR_Report.pdf.

[7] Government of Portugal (2023), Council of Ministers Resolution No. 5/2023, https://files.dre.pt/1s/2023/01/01600/0000500007.pdf.

[12] Government of Portugal (2021), Law no. 98/2021, https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/lei/98-2021-176907481.

[9] Government of Portugal (2018), Council of Ministers Resolution No. 55/2018, https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/resolucao-conselho-ministros/55-2018-115226936.

[6] Government of Portugal (2017), National Report on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Portugal, https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/15766Portugal2017_EN_REV_FINAL_29_06_2017.pdf.

[5] Government of Portugal (2015), Council of Ministers Resolution No. 28/2015, https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/resolucao-conselho-ministros/28-2015-67120682.

[3] Government of Portugal (2010), National Reform Programme.

[13] PlanAPP (n.d.), The RePLAN, https://www.planapp.gov.pt/apresentacao-replan/ (accessed on 15 April 2025).

[1] PTSUSTENTÁVEL (2025), PROJETO DE ROTEIRO NACIONAL PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO SUSTENTÁVEL 2030 (RNDS 2030), https://ptsustentavel.gov.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PTSustentavel-RNDS2030.pdf.

[4] UNFCCC (2015), The Paris Agreement, https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement.