Socialist deputy Sílvia Sousa has contested the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Environment and Culture, Eduardo Jesus's, assertion that Madeira was a "pioneer in climate adaptation". Posting on social media, Sousa accused the Regional Government of resorting to environmental "propaganda".
Sílvia Sousa argued that the Regional Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change was published in December 2015, after the national strategy, suggesting Madeira was not at the forefront. The deputy also criticized the executive's reactive approach, marked by announced strategy revisions without effective implementation and a lack of monitoring indicators, alongside an alleged dependence on European Union funding.
The socialist deputy recalled the rejection in 2020 of a PS proposal to declare a climate and environmental emergency in Madeira and the absence of a regional roadmap for carbon neutrality, contrasting with national targets. Sousa views the pioneering narrative as a political construct not reflecting the facts.
