Turismo de Portugal – Zero Paper

Development Area: Environment

The Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 51/2017, of April 19th, created the pilot project “Papel Zero” (Zero Paper) for implementation in public administrations.

Promoted by the Secretaria-Geral do Ministério da Justiça, Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior and Turismo de Portugal, I.P., with the technical support of the Direção-Geral do Livro, dos Arquivos e das Bibliotecas, this project aims to reduce the use of paper and printer supplies, by means of the following measures:

a) Dematerialisation of information between public authorities, as well as citizens and businesses;
b) Use of interoperable digital platforms within public administrations;
c) Use of qualified electronic signatures, through the citizen’s card and the Sistema de Certificação de Atributos Profissionais (SCAP);
d) Electronic notification systems for public administration communications with citizens and businesses.

This project allowed the implementation of a policy of environmentally responsible printing, through the adoption of a set of measures that, in addition to reducing costs for paper and other consumables, promotes dematerialised communication and work processes.

In 2017, Turismo de Portugal reduced the number of printed sheets by 14% compared to 2016, with 342,000 fewer printed sheets.

Until August 2018, compared with the same period, Turismo de Portugal has achieved a reduction of 322,000 printed sheets – 22% less than in the previous period.

Since the beginning of the project, Turismo de Portugal has consumed 1,328 fewer stacks of paper and contributed to a more sustainable environment, avoiding the cutting of about 66 trees.

The success of this project depends on the involvement of all.

Turismo de Portugal is investing in a sustainable corporate policy.