In a statement, the GNR said that in the first half of 2024, the line received “20,846 general contacts and 5,863 complaints directly related to environmental problems detected by citizens”, especially in areas related to waste, pollution, forest, pets, and Territorial Planning.

Since its creation in 2002, the SOS Ambiente e Território line has received more than 150 thousand complaints, in a total of more than 500 thousand contacts, which, in addition to complaints, also include the provision of clarifications, advice, and environmental protection information to citizens in Portugal.

The line was created by the Ministries of the Environment and Internal Administration and was initially divided between the GNR/Nature and Environmental Protection Service (SEPNA/GNR) and the General Inspection of the Environment and Spatial Planning (IGAOT) and the GNR.

In 2007, due to governmental intentions, it was permanently transferred to SEPNA/GNR as national environmental police, maintaining 24-hour service.

All contacts can be made via the number 808 200 520 or through the SOS Ambiente Online reporting system, available on the official GNR website.

SEPNA has the national responsibility for ensuring the treatment of all complaints made within this line, as well as providing clarifications, advice, and environmental protection information to citizens in Portugal.

According to the GNR note, the line has already “been the target of praise from the European Union”, which proposed to all member states the implementation of identical lines, “in view of the good functioning that it has registered, enabling the involvement of citizens in environmental protection”.