In connection with the unanimous approval by the Cabildo de Lanzarote of an island climate laboratory, the Lanzarote Futuro platform considers it essential for its implementation to establish financing mechanisms that guarantee its adequate operation and future development, "so that it can serve as an instrument for channeling environmental and social projects that benefit the general interest, and may also contribute to economic diversification."
The motion approved in the Cabildo sought to leverage "its strengths in renewable energies (solar, wind), advanced water management, and sustainable mobility" and proposed the creation of an Island Strategic Plan for Climate Innovation, along with an Island Coordination Table, to facilitate access to European funds and collaboration with international organizations, in order to "position Lanzarote as a benchmark for innovation in the face of climate change, leveraging its strengths in renewable energies (solar, wind), advanced water management, and sustainable mobility."
The finalist tourism contribution: priority proposal of the Activation Plan
Given that the island climate strategy would require stable resources for its effective implementation in the medium and long term, the measure contemplated in the Lanzarote Activation Plan regarding the earmarked tourism contribution could be a suitable tool for financing it. This mechanism, according to the Chamber of Commerce's plan itself, would offer the following advantages:
- Financial sufficiency specifically oriented towards projects related to environmental sustainability and climate innovation.
- Transparent mechanisms of public control through portals accessible to citizens.
- Alignment with global objectives such as the SDGs (2030 Agenda), promoting direct positive local impacts on biodiversity, clean energy, or circular economy.
The recently presented Activation Plan for the Promotion of Sustainable Economic and Social Growth of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, commissioned by the Cabildo of Lanzarote to the Chamber of Commerce and which proposes a comprehensive island strategy with a horizon to 2035, was developed from the contributions of public institutions, economic agents and citizens and "supported by a rigorous and transversal participatory process," so its proposals respond to the needs identified by Lanzarote society.
Tourists from the main source countries agree to pay
According to the Survey on Tourism Expenditure prepared by Istac (2nd quarter 2024), 76.5% of visitors who chose the Canary Islands between April and June would pay a tourist tax to visit the archipelago. If the tax ranged between 1 and 3 euros per day, the percentage of tourists willing to pay it rises to 89%.
Lanzarote as a climate laboratory
As the platform points out, the initiative could establish a framework for action for resilience in arid island territories that would include, among others:
- Leveraging the climate to obtain clean and cheap energy
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Sustainable management of the water cycle
- Circular economy: waste management system to reduce external dependence
- Preservation of natural and coastal marine ecosystems
- Governance and participation
From the point of view of technology development, one could establish priorities such as:
- Energy storage and modernization of electrical grids. Development of community energy systems and renewable zones in locations with low visual impact and public operation.
- Desalination powered by renewable energies, direct osmosis, and brine valorization.
- Transformation of waste into bioenergy, bioplastics, and other bioproducts.
- New energy sources: geothermal and wave energy.
- Promotion of agroecology: research into crops resistant to drought, salinity, and wind; development of regenerative and circular agriculture.
Lanzarote Futuro encourages the adoption of transformative island policies, politically agreed upon and differentiated from other islands, in line with an environmental awareness widely established in Lanzarote society, thanks to the vision and work of César Manrique.
This was indicated in the motion unanimously approved in the Island Council, "the island has unique strengths: a recognized history in landscape conservation thanks to the legacy of César Manrique, a citizenry committed to the environment, and great potential in renewable energy, water management and sustainable mobility."