The American Journal of Political Science Law and Criminology
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TYPE
Original Research
PAGE NO.
1-5
OPEN ACCESS
SUBMITED
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ACCEPTED
05 April 2025
PUBLISHED
1 May 2025
VOLUME
Vol.07 Issue05 2025
CITATION
Carlos Fernandes. (2025). Collaboration and Conflict: The Complex
Relationship Between Activist Groups and Political Parties in Portugal’s
Climate Movement. The American Journal of Political Science Law and
Criminology, 7(05), 1
–
5. Retrieved from
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajpslc/article/view/61
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COPYRIGHT
© 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms
of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License.
Collaboration and Conflict:
The Complex Relationship
Between Activist Groups
and Political Parties in
Portugal’s Climate
Movement
Carlos Fernandes
Student of Political Sciences Studies University of Lisbon, Lisbon,
Portugal
Abstract:
This study explores the complex relationship
between activist groups and political parties in shaping
the climate movement in Portugal. Through a
combination of qualitative methods, including in-depth
interviews with key stakeholders from environmental
organizations, political parties, and governmental
institutions, this research examines the dynamics of
resistance and collaboration that characterize the
climate activism landscape in the country. While
political parties have provided institutional frameworks
for environmental policies, activist groups have
consistently challenged governmental inertia and
pushed for more radical climate action. The findings
reveal that the relationship between these two groups
is often characterized by tension and compromise, but
also synergy in certain instances, particularly in the
context of youth-led movements like Fridays for Future.
The paper discusses how these dynamics impact the
effectiveness of the Portuguese climate movement in
influencing national policy and contributing to
international climate advocacy.
Keywords:
Climate Movement, Activist Groups, Political
Parties,
Portugal,
Resistance,
Collaboration,
Environmental Policy, Youth Movements, Political
Activism, Climate Action, Fridays for Future,
Environmental Justice.
Introduction:
The Portuguese climate movement has
evolved over the past few decades, driven by growing
concerns
over
climate
change,
environmental
degradation, and the urgent need for global action. In
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The American Journal of Political Science Law and Criminology
Portugal, climate activism has been shaped by a
combination
of
grassroots
movements
and
institutional politics, with activist groups often clashing
with political parties over the pace and scope of
climate action. On the one hand, activists push for
more ambitious, radical policies and demand
accountability from the political establishment. On the
other hand, political parties have the responsibility to
craft policy solutions that balance economic, social,
and environmental concerns, often leading to
negotiations that dilute more aggressive demands
from activists.
The central research question guiding this study is:
How do the relationships between activist groups and
political parties influence the direction and
effectiveness of the Portuguese climate movement?
This study focuses on understanding both the
resistance faced by activist groups in their attempts to
push for transformative climate policies, as well as the
collaborative efforts that emerge between activists
and political parties in pushing forward common
climate agendas.
This relationship is further complicated by the
intersection of youth-led movements (such as Fridays
for Future) with the traditional environmental
advocacy structures. Understanding the role of youth
movements and their capacity to influence political
parties is critical for future climate action strategies in
Portugal.
The climate crisis has become one of the most pressing
issues of the 21st century, with global movements
emerging to demand immediate and transformative
actions to mitigate its effects. In Portugal, the climate
movement has taken root with a blend of grassroots
activism,
youth-led
initiatives,
and
political
engagement, leading to a dynamic and often
contentious relationship between activist groups and
political parties. This relationship is marked by both
resistance
—
as activists challenge political parties for
their perceived inaction on climate change
—
and
moments of collaboration, as both parties seek to
influence and enact environmental policies. Over the
past decade, Portugal’s climate movement has grown
in prominence, influenced by both international
pressures, such as the Paris Agreement, and the
increasing intensity of domestic climate-related
disasters, such as wildfires and droughts.
At the heart of this movement, activist groups have
emerged as critical forces, pushing for immediate and
systemic changes to combat climate change. Groups
like Fridays for Future Portugal, Extinction Rebellion,
and a host of local NGOs have become the public face
of youth activism, demanding that the Portuguese
government take stronger measures to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable
energy, and prioritize environmental justice. These
organizations often see themselves as disruptive actors
in the political process, challenging the status quo and
pushing for urgent and radical climate action. For them,
the incremental changes offered by political parties are
seen as insufficient to meet the scale of the crisis. As
such, these groups often frame their activism in terms
of moral urgency, calling for swift policy changes that
prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term
economic concerns.
On the other side, political parties in Portugal,
particularly those aligned with the Socialist Party (PS)
and Bloco de Esquerda (BE), have taken steps to
integrate climate change into their platforms. The
Portuguese government, under the leadership of the PS,
has made significant strides in adopting climate policies
that aim to meet European Union (EU) climate targets,
such as achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Political
leaders have promoted measures such as investment in
green technologies, incentives for renewable energy
production, and regulations aimed at reducing
emissions from transportation and industry. However,
despite these policy advancements, political parties
often find themselves constrained by economic
realities, party politics, and competing national
priorities. This results in compromises that activists view
as too slow or weak, particularly when it comes to issues
like fossil fuel dependence and the protection of jobs in
carbon-intensive industries.
The relationship between activist groups and political
parties in Portugal’s climate movement is t
hus
characterized by a series of interactions that range from
contentious debate to mutual collaboration. While
activists often critique political parties for inadequate
action, there are instances where cooperation occurs,
especially when political actors seek to align with public
sentiment or respond to grassroots pressure. For
example, Fridays for Future Portugal has engaged in
dialogue with political leaders, influencing the national
climate agenda through demonstrations, petitions, and
advocacy work. In return, some political parties have
adopted more ambitious climate targets, partially in
response to youth-led pressure.
However, the nature of these interactions is often not
one of seamless partnership. Resistance from activist
groups remains a crucial element of the Portuguese
climate movement. Activists continue to demand bolder
and more transformative policies, frequently accusing
political leaders of being overly focused on maintaining
economic stability at the cost of urgent environmental
needs. This tension between environmentalism and
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economic pragmatism remains at the core of the
political discourse surrounding climate change in
Portugal.
As the Portuguese climate movement continues to
evolve, the interaction between activist groups and
political parties will remain a defining feature. Both
groups are navigating their roles within a broader
global movement for climate action, one that
increasingly intersects with issues of social justice,
inequality, and sustainability. The future of climate
policy in Portugal will depend on the ability of these
actors to reconcile their differences, build constructive
partnerships, and overcome the structural barriers
that impede more ambitious action. Understanding
the dynamics of this relationship is crucial not only for
evaluating the effectiveness of Portugal’s climate
movement but also for informing broader policy
strategies at the European and global levels.
Through this exploration, this paper examines how the
tensions between activist resistance and political
collaboration in Portugal’s climate movement shape
the country’s approach to tackling climate change,
with implications for how other nations may navigate
similar conflicts in their own political landscapes.
METHODS
This study used a qualitative research design to explore
the dynamics of resistance and collaboration between
activist groups and political parties in Portugal’s
climate movement. Data was collected using a
combination of semi-structured interviews and
document analysis.
Sample and Participants
The participants included:
•
15 representatives from activist groups,
including environmental NGOs, youth movements, and
grassroots organizations such as Fridays for Future
Portugal and Extinction Rebellion.
•
10 political party representatives, ranging
from left-wing to center-right political parties that
have played significant roles in shaping environmental
policies in Portugal, such as the Socialist Party (PS),
Bloco de Esquerda (BE), and Partido Comunista
Português (PCP).
•
5 governmental officials working within
environmental agencies or involved in climate policy
implementation.
Data Collection
Data was collected through in-depth interviews
conducted between January and March 2023.
Interviews were semi-structured to allow for flexibility
in capturing different perspectives on the activist-
political party relationship. Each interview lasted
between 45 minutes and 1 hour and was transcribed
verbatim for analysis.
Additionally, policy documents, press releases, and
official statements from political parties and activist
groups were analyzed to contextualize the interviews
and provide a more comprehensive understanding of
the interactions between the two groups.
DATA ANALYSIS
Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes
and patterns in the data. Using NVivo software,
interview transcripts were coded, and recurring themes
related to collaboration, resistance, and compromise
were identified. The data was then triangulated with
policy documents and media coverage to ensure validity
and comprehensiveness in interpreting the findings.
RESULTS
The results of this study illustrate the complex, often
ambivalent relationship between activist groups and
political parties in Portugal. The main findings can be
grouped
into
three
key
themes:
resistance,
collaboration, and compromise.
RESISTANCE
One of the most prominent themes in the interviews
with activist groups was the resistance they encounter
from political parties, particularly when advocating for
radical climate policies. Activists from organizations like
Fridays for Future Portugal emphasized the frustration
they feel when political parties, especially the Socialist
Party (PS), fail to commit to ambitious climate goals.
Activists criticized the government's slow pace of action
in areas such as transitioning to renewable energy,
decarbonizing transportation, and enacting stricter
environmental regulations for industry. Activist groups
often described their role as that of a catalyst for
change, pushing the political establishment to act faster
and more decisively on climate issues.
Many activists felt that political parties prioritized
economic concerns (such as job creation in traditional
sectors like fossil fuels) over environmental justice. This
conflict was particularly evident in debates over the
future of Portugal’s fossil fuel industry, where political
parties were seen as hesitant to impose regulations that
might disrupt economic stability.
Collaboration
Despite the tensions, collaboration between activist
groups and political parties was also highlighted,
particularly in instances where both parties found
common ground on certain issues. For example,
activists and left-wing political parties like the Bloco de
Esquerda (BE) and Partido Comunista Português (PCP)
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collaborated on initiatives to promote green energy
and environmentally sustainable farming practices.
These collaborations were seen as an opportunity to
align political action with grassroots demands for a
more inclusive and just transition toward a low-carbon
economy.
Activists from youth movements, in particular,
expressed their belief in the power of dialogue and
negotiation with political figures, viewing collaboration
as a necessary means to ensure that climate policies
have long-term institutional support. A key example of
this cooperation was the involvement of Fridays for
Future Portugal in discussions with the government on
the 2030 National Climate Plan.
Compromise
Another recurring theme was the compromise that
occurs when both political parties and activist groups
meet in the middle, often in response to external
pressures such as EU climate directives and
international environmental summits. While activists
generally pushed for bolder actions, they often had to
accept more moderate solutions. Political parties,
particularly those in government, expressed concerns
about the economic impact of a rapid transition,
arguing that more gradual reforms were necessary to
protect workers’ rights and ensure social equity during
the transition to a greener economy.
These compromises were often reflected in the policy
statements and legislative proposals put forward by
political parties, which included a mix of both
progressive climate targets and market-driven
solutions, such as the promotion of green tech and
eco-friendly investments.
DISCUSSION
The dynamics of resistance and collaboration between
activist groups and political parties in Portugal’s
climate movement illustrate a tension between the
radical demands of grassroots activism and the
incremental pace of institutional policy-making. On the
one hand, activist groups, particularly youth-led
movements like Fridays for Future, demand systemic
change and urgent action on climate change, seeing
political parties as insufficiently bold in their approach.
On the other hand, political parties must balance
environmental concerns with economic realities and
public sentiment, leading to compromises that often
frustrate activists.
This study also underscores the critical role of youth-
led movements in catalyzing political action. The
collaboration between youth activists and progressive
political parties has led to tangible advancements in
climate policy, including stronger commitments to
renewable energy and carbon neutrality goals.
However, the study highlights that for a truly
transformative climate agenda to succeed, more
integrated action between grassroots movements,
political parties, and governmental institutions is
needed.
Implications for Policy and Practice
1.
Strengthening Alliances: It is essential for
activist groups to build stronger alliances with
political parties across the spectrum to
influence
policymaking
in
favor
of
environmentally sustainable policies.
2.
Youth Engagement: Political parties should
prioritize engaging with youth-led movements,
ensuring that climate policies reflect the
urgency and equity concerns raised by younger
generations.
3.
Clearer Legislative Frameworks: Activists and
policymakers must work together to create
clearer and more ambitious legislative
frameworks that align with international
climate agreements while ensuring social
justice during the transition.
CONCLUSION
The Portuguese climate movement is shaped by a
dynamic interplay of resistance and collaboration
between activist groups and political parties. While
challenges remain, particularly in balancing economic
and environmental concerns, the momentum for
climate action continues to grow, fueled by the
commitment of activist groups and the evolving
engagement of political parties. Understanding these
complex relationships is critical for advancing effective
and inclusive climate policies that meet both
environmental and social goals.
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