
Policy-Making
Supporting better decisions
Policy-Making
LAETA outlined objectives for supporting policy-making for the period 2021-2030, considering current specific needs in each of its target sectors.

Energy
To implement at local level the national, European and international objectives associated with the global response to climate change, with a focus on the energy system, the management and recovery of natural systems, but also on the improvement of existing infrastructures, for which the most appropriate methodologies, tools and technologies must be analysed and identified.


Transports
To promote the use of more sustainable transports, with a reduction of about 25% in greenhouse emission gases in 2030, when compared to 2005, particularly in the automotive, aeronautics and railroad sub-sectors. It mainly focuses on vehicle’s durability, recyclability and safety, contributing to the decarbonisation of the sector and, in parallel, to increase the competitiveness of the national companies operating in these sub-sectors.

Aerospace
To accelerate the implementation of the Portugal Space 2030 Strategy, particularly in the area of ‘Space Technologies’, aiming to bring scientific and technological results to higher TRL levels, to increase the participation of Portugal in international scientific missions, to keep contributing for the establishment of a competitive Portuguese scientific and industrial network, while fostering Space-related employment within it.
Find out some policy-making processes supported by LAETA in the period 2015-2020.
Wildfire Behaviour and Fire Safety
Marine Renewable Energy
Railway Vehicles Certification
Space Technologies
Safety Engineering
Wildfire Behaviour and Fire Safety
- Critical wildfire event-specific studies contracted by the Portuguese government
- Fire risk studies contracted by public and private organizations
Marine Renewable Energy
- Ocean Energy Systems Technology Collaboration Programme I Implementing Agreement - Intergovernmental collaboration (International Energy Agency) – PT representative.
- ENERGY AT SEA Roadmap - Report contracted by the Portuguese Government, grounding the national Industrial Ocean Renewable Energy Strategy established in the 2017 Resolution.
- European Renewable Energy Research Centers (International cooperation in R&D and workforce training) - National Delegate.
Railway Vehicles Certification
- International Standard on Pantographs and overhead contact lines for interoperability of electrified vehicles – PT member in all technical works leading to the approval of new EU Regulation
- New tools to the PT and EU Rail Industry for improved performance of their railway networks. – PT provider
- Approval of railway vehicles for circulation under EU technical regulations
- Contract Services with rail transport companies, infrastructure owners and railway operators
Space Technologies
Key roles within EU Space-related policy-making groups:
- EU Space Program - Advisor on PT Delegation
- ESA – Program Board Launchers - PT Representative
- EC’s Space Stakeholders Group – WG ‘Access to Space’ – Strategic R&I agenda for Space
- ESA Materials and Processes Technology Board
- ESA’s Technology Tree - Technology Harmonization Mapping on Composite Materials - FCT invitation
- EARTO’s WG Space - Coordination of the Technology Group
Key roles within PT Space-related policy-making groups:
- AED Cluster
- Estratégia Portugal Espaço 2030 - ‘Space Technologies’ Experts’ group.
- Portugal Space / Agência Espacial Portuguesa - PT Space Catalogue, and review contributions for the intraministerial meetings within ESA.
- Aerospace Engineering and Aeronautics Engineering - Main Higher Education providers
Safety Engineering
Support to the National Defence Ministry, the PT Civil Protection Authority and the PT Authority for the Working Conditions:
- Studies on the physiological response of soldiers in hostile climatic environments – Projects and Service contracts with the PT Army and Military Academy.
- Studies on the physiological response of firefighters – FCT project in collaboration with Firefighting Corporations.
- Design of advanced protection equipment – Award of the ARMY TESTED certification (PT Army)
Support to the Health Regional Authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Manufacturing and distribution of protection visors – Regional Hospitals, Health Centres and Units and local associations.
- Collaborative projects with industrial companies – Advanced individual protection equipment and accessories (includes FCT funding).
- Public Webinars – Virus transmission modes.