Seminar “Sustainable Lighting: Biodiversity & Energy Efficiency in Municipalities”
On November 26, 2025, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the online seminar “Sustainable Lighting: Biodiversity & Energy Efficiency in Municipalities” took place as part of the LIFE Natura@night project.
Organized and facilitated by representatives from SPEA and the Machico Municipal Council, the seminar was attended by more than 60 participants, including several representatives from municipal councils and parish councils from different regions of the country, who had the opportunity to learn about good practices and municipal planning tools aimed at promoting increased energy efficiency in public lighting, reducing light pollution, and protecting nocturnal biodiversity.
The session began with a presentation by the coordinator of SPEA Madeira, Cátia Gouveia, entitled “Light pollution: the silent enemy of biodiversity,” in which she introduced the concept of light pollution and how it affects seabird species, bats, and moths, as well as its impact on humans. She also introduced the LIFE Natura@night project and the various actions developed throughout it, under the slogan “For a night with more life.”
Next, Cláudio Nóbrega, representative of the Machico City Council, spoke about “Advances in public lighting in the municipality of Machico,” presenting the changes made to public lighting in the municipality. The acquisition of new adjustable-intensity luminaires has made public lighting more efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly, with a significant reduction in energy consumption following the implementation of the changes.
The presentation “Understanding light pollution and European trends” by Fernando Chácon, a technician at SPEA, on behalf of Auraicity, highlighted the work carried out by this company in creating and implementing sustainable lighting solutions. The essential factors to be considered in lighting area planning strategies were also discussed, ensuring their correct implementation. Finally, the current overview of legislation on public lighting was presented.
Azucena de la Cruz, representative of SPEA Açores, presented the Public Lighting Master Plans, highlighting them as a municipal management tool that defines guidelines adapted to the specificities of each municipality, allowing for more coherent planning of public spaces. She also mentioned the six municipalities that have implemented light pollution reduction measures under the LIFE Natura@night project, highlighting the reduction in energy consumption associated with these actions.
The second part of the online event consisted of a practical component, which allowed interaction between participants and speakers in two exercises. The first exercise focused on the development of Lighting Master Plans, while the second focused on land-use planning strategies.
The importance of the night sky for tourism and communities
Previously, on November 25, SPEA also announced the LIFE Natura@night project and the importance of the night sky for ecosystems and biodiversity in a series of webinars dedicated to Astro-tourism. This session was attended by around 90 participants. In addition to SPEA, renowned speakers such as Antónia Varela (Director of the Starlight Foundation), Raul Cerveira Lima (School of Health – Polytechnic of Porto + IA – Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (University of Coimbra)), and Diana Del Negro (Lightware – Architectural Lighting) participated.
Entitled “Astrotourism: Sustainable Experiences under the Night Sky,” the series of webinars promoted by Turismo de Portugal took place throughout the month of November, with the aim of promoting the appreciation of the night sky and the opportunities that its preservation can provide, for the benefit of sustainable tourism and the well-being of communities.
