The Zero Association warned of significant failures in nature restoration projects in urban areas, considering that the practical execution does not match the proposed objectives. The organization especially criticizes the lack of adequate investment and the inadequate choices of plant species in afforestation and renaturalization projects.
According to the association, the problems are related to both budget failures and the inadequate selection of species used in the projects. Zero considers that many of these investments are nothing more than "green cosmetics," meaning superficial measures that do not promote true ecological restoration of urban areas.
The environmental association argues that greater rigor is needed in defining priorities and in monitoring projects, ensuring that available resources are used effectively to promote biodiversity and environmental resilience in cities.
The alert comes in a context where several Portuguese cities have implemented afforestation and renaturalization plans, but according to Zero, the lack of an integrated strategy has resulted in projects with limited impact on the urban ecosystem.
