Portugal is at the forefront of the fight against climate change, with six cities in the Cities for Climate Network – Lisbon, Loures, Sintra, Cascais, Vila Nova de Gaia, and Porto – implementing Living Labs to promote decarbonisation and urban sustainability. These initiatives are co-funded by the EEA Grants Portugal mechanism.
Living Labs are open innovation spaces that test technologies and services in real-world settings, involving users and partners to tackle climate and urban challenges.
Highlighted Projects
Hub Criativo do Beato (HBC) – Lisbon
Led by StartUp Lisboa, the HCB Living Lab transforms the Hub Criativo do Beato, now known as the Beato Innovation District, into a smart campus centred on sustainability and resilience. It tests innovative technologies and solutions to support startups and foster more sustainable urban living.
Loures Living Lab – Loures
Headed by AIDGLOBAL and supported by Instituto Superior Técnico, this initiative focuses on decarbonisation through the establishment of a Renewable Energy Community, sustainable mobility solutions, and an exemplary smart public building in Portugal.
SMILE and I4efficiency – Sintra
The SMILE and I4Efficiency projects focus on urban sustainability and operational efficiency.
- SMILE, promoted by the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal, focuses on sustainable mobility and renewable energy in the Tabaqueira neighbourhood.
- I4Efficiency, led by ZERO, uses a Unique Address Identifier (UDI) to optimise urban logistics and waste management.
Asprela + Sustentável – Porto
Coordinated by COOPÉRNICO with AdEPorto and other partners, this project focuses on electric mobility, environmental and circular economy initiatives, and sustainable energy integration. It aims to transform a vital area of Porto into a pioneering example of solar energy management as a sustainable energy source.
Cascais Smart Pole – Cascais
This project, led by the Alfredo de Sousa Foundation, employs technologies to create a sustainable urban environment resilient to climate change, where culture, technology, and sustainability converge.
Living Lab da Afurada – Vila Nova de Gaia
Managed by CEDES, the Afurada Living Lab serves as a testing ground for technological solutions and services. It focuses on fostering a low-carbon economy and driving the sustainable development of the local community.
Through these innovative projects, the cities of the Cities for Climate Network are cementing their role as leaders in combating climate change, aligning their efforts with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
