As a child, what ideas did you have about your future career?

I had the usual childhood dreams. I wanted to be an Air Force pilot, a football player, and even a firefighter. But from a very young age, I developed a deep fascination with the natural world. I remember spending hours observing tadpoles, frogs, and anything related to animals. As a kid, I even became a member of Greenpeace. I vividly recall the debate around nuclear energy in Portugal, the anti-nuclear smiley face stickers, and how those issues impacted me even at a young age. In 9th grade at Valadares High School, a teacher had a big influence on my path. With him and a few classmates, we formed a group focused on environmental issues. We built a life-support system for fish, closer to a small ecosystem than a standard aquarium. Even then, I realized my curiosity was deeply tied to natural sciences, the environment, and especially aquatic ecosystems.

 

Why the fascination with the environment?

I didn’t have family or friends in the area. It was something I explored on my own, something that stirred me deeply. Back then, the environment wasn’t a trendy topic. But to me, it already felt important. I had a strong emotional connection with nature, a drive to understand and protect it. I didn’t yet know terms like “circular economy,” but I instinctively understood that a predatory approach to natural resources couldn’t be sustained.

 

Was that interest what led you to apply to the Environmental Engineering degree at the School of Biotechnology?

I was strongly considering a degree in Aquatic Environmental Sciences at ICBAS, but a cousin of mine, who was studying Law at Católica, told me about a new Environmental Engineering programme at the School of Biotechnology. The proposal sounded interesting, and I applied for Year Zero.

 

How did the degree align with your passion for environmental issues?

The course gave structure and rationality to a concern that, until then, had been mostly emotional. Engineering taught me how to think in terms of solutions, how to approach problems, and look for ways to solve them. It was a time when the European Union was developing important environmental legislation in areas such as water, waste, emissions… Climate wasn’t yet the hot topic it is today, but issues like global warming were gaining traction. Since the programme was housed in the School of Biotechnology, it had a multidisciplinary and unique approach. We were surrounded by students and professors from microbiology and food engineering, which forced us to think more broadly and in an integrated way.

 

What left the greatest mark on you during your time at Católica?

Tolerance, cooperation, and kindness were values I learned at Católica, and they have left a deep and lasting impression. We were a small group of students, and that created a close-knit environment. Among us, there was a strong bond, almost like one big class. Between students and professors, there was closeness and respect. Authority was not imposed but earned by example. I never witnessed any conflicts or tension, in or outside of class. Unlike what I heard from students at more aggressive university environments, Católica had a good atmosphere, one where tolerance, cooperation, and kindness prevailed. Even the school cafeteria was known among students from other institutions for its positive and respectful environment.

 

How did that environment influence you?

It wasn’t just a favourable environment; the experience at Católica shaped who I am today. Everyone from my generation seems to carry that same mark. We learned to think holistically, to integrate different areas of knowledge. Until the third year, we shared several classes with students from other programmes. That forced us to discuss problems together and develop solutions through different perspectives.

 

How do you apply that vision today as Chairman of Metro do Porto?

We live in an increasingly unstable, volatile, and anxious world. Power dynamics shift daily, decisions are often contradictory, and scenarios are unpredictable. In this context, consistency and clarity of purpose are essential. And that only comes through collective thinking, empathy, tolerance, and an integrated, humanist vision.

Metro do Porto is a truly transformative infrastructure. It’s the backbone of mobility in the region. We are going through a major expansion, with new investments, new lines, and greater coverage. We’re reaching areas that never had structured public transportation and improving service in others. This is a €2 billion operation with a huge impact on people’s lives. Leading this organisation means constantly managing multiple dimensions. Motivation comes from clarity of purpose and awareness of the impact of our work. I like to remind my team that we’re on the right side of history. What we do is felt every day: in shorter commutes, stronger territorial cohesion, and new opportunities for people living far from urban centres. At Metro, we work under pressure. The projects are complex, deadlines are tight, and interests are varied. Tension is inevitable. But it’s precisely in those moments that we must remember the bigger mission: we’re helping to transform the city and improve people’s lives.

 

Do you think society is more aware today of the importance of sustainable mobility?

I would like to say yes, but I fear we still have a long way to go. In some contexts, it even seems we’re going backwards. Look at the current debate in the U.S. about ending subsidies for electric vehicles. We can discuss whether electrification is the only solution, but the key is to acknowledge that climate change is real, and carbon emissions contribute to it. But even for those who deny these facts, certain realities speak for themselves, like traffic congestion. A 2021 report from the European Court of Auditors estimated that urban congestion costs Europe €280 billion a year. In the Porto Metropolitan Area, an average citizen spends 70 minutes a day in traffic, which is about 30 days a year. We spend more time in traffic than on holidays. Have people thought about that?

Right now, the priority must be to ensure more and better public transport: with greater frequency, comfort, punctuality, and reliability. Only then will choosing the metro, bus, or train be a rational and attractive choice. The service must exist, must work, and must meet people’s needs. We need to offer more comfort, frequency, and punctuality. Public transport must compete with the car, which benefits from enormous advertising budgets. Of course, better service alone isn’t enough. Changing habits is essential, and we know how difficult that can be.

 

What drives you?

Since I was young, the purpose has remained the same: the environment. Mobility lies at the heart of environmental issues. But when we talk about mobility, the impact goes beyond the environment. We’re also talking about social, economic, and human impacts. When we extend a line, we open access to new job markets, reduce inequalities, and improve people’s quality of life. It’s about giving people the chance to have a better life, and that’s what matters most. At its core, it ties back to the spirit of the Universidade Católica: that spirit of tolerance, kindness, and cooperation that continues to inspire and give purpose to my life.