The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism highlighted the “Little Big House” project as an example of how all citizens can contribute to sustainable development, whether governments, municipalities or companies, but, above all, every citizen in their private sphere.
 
Marta Guerreiro spoke after a visit to “Little Big House.” On the occasion, she stressed that “this is an excellent example of how a young couple's commitment can show society it is possible to build and maintain a house in full respect for what nature gives,” in addition to passing on the message to forthcoming generations.
 
This project was developed by a family in building a home designed for a lifestyle based on the “zero waste” principle. It is mainly concerned with the use of endogenous materials, energy efficiency, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and the proper management of municipal waste.
 
The “Little Big House” uses only energy produced from renewable sources and is fitted with 12 photovoltaic panels installed for that purpose. The water is supplied through storage tanks equipped with its own filtering system, using a heat pump and an electric water heater. The project also includes an electric vehicle powered by energy from photovoltaic panels.
 
“It is important to keep in mind that public policies are very relevant, but the behaviour that we, as consumers, may have in this matter is indeed decisive,” said the Regional Secretary. Accordingly, she stressed the need to look for “living habits and consumption practices that safeguard these issues as they are fundamental to our future.”
 
For the government official, it is this “individual awareness that enables the implementation of these practices with effective results and with excellent examples such as the one we are seeing today."
 
"Fortunately, environmental issues are becoming increasingly part of the agenda." In this regard, new generations "have been showing in a quite exemplary manner how we can do differently," so we all "have the responsibility to take action whether in the public or private sphere," stated the Regional Secretary.
 
Marta Guerreiro reinforced the “efforts undertaken in terms of public policies,” highlighting several projects created across the three areas under the management of this regional department that encourage and reward good practices: "Miosótis, i.e., the Green Spirit Awards, the Sustainability Charter or the support granted through Proenergia - incentive system for the production and storage of energy from renewable sources.