Route 1: Arca da Cavaca and Natixis

21/05/2025

On May 21, the first of five routes took place as part of the second edition of the initiative that invites citizens to discover projects and places in the city linked to carbon neutrality and climate resilience.

At the opening, Daniel Freitas, Porto’s Director for Carbon Neutrality, highlighted the importance of “showcasing to the city the solutions already implemented under the Porto Climate Pact and inspiring other organisations to follow the same path.”

He also reinforced the urgency of “changing course and reducing our ecological footprint,” underlining the Municipality’s ambition to transform Porto into a greener, more resilient, and more efficient city.

The meeting point was Jardim do Moreda, but the route took participants well beyond the surface. The first stop was the emblematic Arca da Cavaca, on Rua da Firmeza, followed by Natixis, on Rua de Santos Pousada—two sites that reflect, in distinct ways, the importance of sustainability and carbon neutrality, one of the city’s key commitments by 2030.

Guided to the Arca da Cavaca by Águas e Energia do Porto, participants descended a subterranean staircase. Built in the 18th century by Capuchin friars to supply the S. Lázaro area, it remains active and accessible to this day.

The original structure, demolished in 1950, was symbolically restored and is now part of the city’s municipal heritage—a testament to a legacy of sustainable water preservation, one of Porto’s greatest resources.

The second stop showed how the business sector can be a driver of climate transition. Natixis, a French investment bank based in Porto with more than 2,800 employees, stands out for its environmental policies and sustainable practices.

A signatory of the Porto Climate Pact since its launch, the company is known for initiatives such as furniture recycling, support for local trade, the elimination of disposable items, promotion of green and soft mobility, and an urban garden that, in 2024 alone, donated 300 kilos of produce to local social solidarity institutions.