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• The event will be held in Vecindario, Gran Canaria on 14 and 15 May 2025.
• This year’s edition will focus on rising temperatures and sea level rise.

The LIFE COSTAdapta project will participate in the 18th edition of the International Seminar on Sustainable Regions, to be held at the Victor Jara Theatre in Vecindario, Gran Canaria, on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 May 2025. Organised by the Mancomunidad del Sureste, the event will focus on two of the greatest socio-economic challenges related to climate change: rising temperatures and sea level rise.

Patricia Caro, Project Manager at the University of Gran Canaria, partner of the LIFE COSTAdapta project, will be in charge of presenting the project on Thursday 15 May at 18h50 at the round table ‘Sea level rise: a socio-economic challenge’. Caro will explain the main objectives of the European project, which proposes an innovative solution based on the implementation of tidal pool-reef, a hybrid infrastructure combining natural and bio-inspired elements, to protect the coast from the effects of climate change, especially sea level rise. This methodology seeks to strengthen the resilience of coastal ecosystems, generate favourable habitats for marine biodiversity and maintain the local identity of beaches, ensuring a balance between environmental protection, public use and tourist activity. 

Patricia Caro will share a table with Corinne Vitale, assistant professor of spatial planning and water governance at the Nijmegen School of Management (NSM), Radboud University, the Netherlands; Juan Ferrer, technician at the Climate Change and Environmental Information Service of the Government of the Canary Islands; Levi García, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; and Gustavo Herrera, project coordinator for early warning systems, weather observation, Internet of Things (IoT) and climate change impact modelling. The debate will be moderated by journalist Wendy Fuentes.

The conference, aimed at all citizens, will bring together experts, researchers, policy makers and representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss adaptation and mitigation strategies to address these challenges. Innovative points of view on resilient urban planning, protection of coastal ecosystems, climate risk management and carbon emission reduction will be addressed, with the aim of ensuring a sustainable future for our regions. Registration is free and can be done through the following link: https://seminariocomarcassostenibles.com/inscripcion

The European project uses drone flights and electrical resistivity tomography to study coastal dynamics and lay the groundwork for sustainable climate adaptation solutions

Brussels, 7^th May 2025. The European project LIFE COSTAdapta, funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, continues its coastal observation and analysis strategy with new fieldwork in the San Felipe area of Gran Canaria. Following a drone flight conducted on Tuesday 15^th April to study shoreline variability and evolution, the technical team has returned this week to document electrical resistivity tomography work—a technique used to analyse the characteristics of the coastal subsoil.

These actions are part of the project’s environmental monitoring system, aimed at assessing the natural behaviour of the coastline before and during the implementation of pilot measures. In collaboration with a PhD student from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), regular flights are planned—ideally every four months—to generate comparable data series that will feed into the project’s impact indicators.

LIFE COSTAdapta proposes an innovative solution based on the implementation of tidal pool-reefs: a hybrid infrastructure that combines natural and bio-inspired elements to protect coastal areas against the effects of climate change, especially sea level rise. This methodology aims to enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems, create favourable habitats for marine biodiversity, and preserve the local identity of beaches—ensuring a balance between environmental protection, public use, and tourism.

The project spans seven years (2023–2030) with a total budget of €3,409,864, of which €2,045,818 is co-funded by the European Union through the LIFE Programme.

Coordinated by the Island Energy Council of Gran Canaria (CIEGC), the consortium comprises seven partners: University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), University of Cantabria (UC), INGECID, Raley Estudios Costeros, ECOncrete AQUA, Fundación Canaria para el Reciclaje y el Desarrollo Sostenible (Canarias Recicla), and Finnova Foundation.

These field activities, along with future ones, will allow LIFE COSTAdapta to gather essential data to scientifically validate its intervention methodology and facilitate its replication in other coastal areas facing similar challenges.

More information and project newsletter subscription: https://costadapta.energiagrancanaria.com/

• On Friday, April 11, technicians from the University of Cantabria, partners of the LIFE COSTADapta Project, explained to the students the main objectives of the European project
• On Thursday, April 24, the young people took part in a beach-cleaning day at San Felipe
• During this World Action Week for Education, Santa María de Guía has demonstrated that education transforms, connects with the environment, and prepares citizens to build a more just, resilient, and sustainable future

Brussels, April 28^th, 2025. A group of students from schools in the municipality of Santa María de Guía, participants in the esTEla Programme of the Department of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, took part on April 24^th in a coastal cleanup session along the shores of San Felipe. Prior to this activity, which was held in the framework of the Global Action Week for Education, the students had the opportunity to learn about the main objectives of the COSTAdapta project from its representatives.

A few days before the cleanup session, specifically on April 11th, technicians from the University of Cantabria, members of the LIFE COSTAdapta project consortium, gave an informational workshop to the participating students. The session served as preparation for the field trip and helped bring the students closer to the work being carried out in their own environment to mitigate the effects of climate change on the coastline.

The activity was carried out with the collaboration of the Department of Education of the Santa María de Guía City Council and the support of the Canarias Recicla Foundation. This initiative not only promoted care for the marine environment but also encouraged collective reflection on both individual and shared responsibility in the face of the climate crisis.

These kinds of actions stand out as real examples of how education can be integrated with environmental action, aligning with the principles of the LIFE COSTAdapta project—an initiative supported by the European Union’s LIFE programme, which funds projects dedicated to the environment and the fight against climate change. LIFE COSTAdapta was born out of the need to implement nature-based solutions to protect coastal homes, reduce damage to infrastructure, and safeguard marine biodiversity in the face of rising sea levels.

About LIFE COSTAdapta

LIFE COSTAdapta is a project funded by the EU’s LIFE Programme with a total budget of €3,409,864. It is coordinated by the Island Energy Council of Gran Canaria and involves collaboration with universities and entities specializing in engineering and sustainability. Its innovative approach could serve as a model for other European regions affected by erosion and rising sea levels.

LIFE COSTAdapta brings together a wide range of experts: INGECID contributes its expertise in sustainable engineering; the Universities of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Cantabria provide deep knowledge in natural sciences; and Raley Estudios Costeros conducts coastal studies to identify the most vulnerable areas. Additionally, ECOncrete AQUA leads innovation in marine infrastructure, while Fundación Canarias Recicla ensures sustainability in the Canary Islands. Finnova is in charge of managing the project’s internal and external communications.

• A project dedicated to protecting the coast from erosion caused by rising sea levels, supported and funded by the European Union and the Cabildo of Gran Canaria.

Brussels, April 22nd, 2025. This spring, the Canary Islands have been hit by numerous storms and heavy seas, resulting in damage to infrastructure, powerful waves, and flooding. That is why today LIFE COSTAdapta celebrates Earth Day, dedicated to the protection and restoration of nature. In this context, LIFE COSTAdapta focuses on safeguarding the coast of Gran Canaria through innovative solutions aimed at slowing sea level rise, protecting homes currently at risk from flooding and storm damage, while also preserving marine ecosystems.

LIFE COSTAdapta is committed to nature-based solutions to combat coastal erosion. It’s about acting with ecological intelligence, learning from natural processes and replicating them through soft infrastructure such as artificial reefs, sandbanks, or cobble berms. The goal is not to change the character of the coastline, but to protect and regenerate it without losing its essence.

In the participatory sessions that took place last November in San Felipe, the project gathered the concerns of the local population: 81% of the residents expressed their concern about the damage caused by the sea, and more than 75% considered the environmental regeneration of the area to be urgent.

On this Earth Day, LIFE COSTAdapta reaffirms its commitment to a more resilient, livable, and sustainable coast. Because acting today is the only way to ensure a thriving coastline tomorrow.

About LIFE COSTAdapta

LIFE COSTAdapta is a European project that works towards developing an innovative tidal pool-reef system to reduce the impacts of rising sea levels. This solution aims to protect marine biodiversity, mitigate coastal erosion, and minimize damage to coastal infrastructure.

The project is coordinated by the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council (CIEGC) y counts with the collaboration from the Univerwith of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the University of Cantabria, Raley Estudios Costeros, ECOncrete AQUA, INGECID, the Canarias Recicla Foundation and the Finnova Foundation. It has a budget of €3,409,864 during seven years, 60% of which is financed by the European Union through the LIFE programme, and the remaining 40% is financed by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria.

Formed by a consortium led by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and made up of european experts, the project has been reviewed by external evaluators and approved by the EU for implementation

A significant majority of San Felipe’s coastal residents, interviewed as part of the project, consider preventing further material damage to buildings and infrastructure a priority

Gran Canaria, April 10th, 2025-. Reducing the pressing impacts of the sea on the coastline.This is the main goal of LIFE COSTAdapta, a European R&D&I project aiming to find a viable solution towards adapting to sea level rise, using the San Felipe coast as a reference, and that is currently working on the preliminary designs for a demonstrator, based on data gathered in the previous phase.

LIFE COSTAdapta, as an environmental climate change adaptation project, focuses on reducing beach erosion, heavily impacted by storms and forecast to shrink between 20% and 94% in the coming decades. The project will neither eliminate nor significantly alter wave dynamics, aiming instead to absorb some of their energy and, through the reconceptualization of tidal pools, lessen the erosive impact on the coast and on onshore elements, much like natural systems such as reefs, sandbanks, or callao berms. An appropriate design will ensure that its effect on sedimentation mirrors that of natural beaches, thereby contributing to coastal stabilization and erosion reduction.

San Felipe’s coastline is home to two notable waves, “El Circo Derecha” and “El Circo Izquierda,” which are being carefully considered in the demonstrator’s design to ensure that their integrity is preserved.

“The prototype’s implementation is grounded in prior studies, empirical data, physical principles, and modelling outcomes, all aimed at reducing wave impact without significantly altering their behaviour, while balancing the diverse interests involved,” explains Raúl García Brink, Councillor for Environment, Climate, Energy and Knowledge at the Council of Gran Canaria.

García Brink also highlighted the project’s commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement: “We want to reassure all concerned parties that any potential changes to the hydrodynamics will be thoroughly analysed through modelling and on-site studies, including drone surveys and specialised measurement techniques, carried out at different times of the year and over several years. This will ensure an appropriate balance between coastal protection and the conservation of the coast’s various uses, including sports activities.”

Given its demonstrator nature, LIFE COSTAdapta does not have the scope to cover the entire coastline. The implementation budget for the demonstrator amounts to €746,904.20, 60% funded by the European Union and 40% by the Council of Gran Canaria, limiting its physical reach. Nevertheless, the consortium is committed to maximising coverage within the constraints of budget, design, and recreational considerations. Should the demonstrator prove successful, its solutions could be replicated and scaled to other vulnerable sections of the San Felipe coast and beyond.

Transparency and Community Engagement

Transparency has been a defining value of LIFE COSTAdapta since its inception, with continuous dialogue and input from the San Felipe community. Numerous meetings have taken place between project members, residents, and the mayors of Santa María de Guía, both former mayor Pedro Rodríguez and current mayor Alfredo Gonçalvez.

In April 2024, Rodríguez, García Brink, and the project team presented the details of LIFE COSTAdapta to residents. García Brink stressed the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the effects of rising sea levels and coastal hazards, aiming to safeguard frontline communities.

Further dialogue was held with the local surfing community, who were invited to a technical field meeting to contribute insights regarding the area’s waves, all of which were documented and made publicly available on the project website.

On 29 January 2025, the results of community consultation sessions were presented to Santa María de Guía’s City Council, highlighting local concerns over climate change’s effects on the coastline. Notably, 81% of participants expressed alarm over ongoing material damage to infrastructure, while over 80% reported an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme storm events, and their growing unpredictability. These perceptions were in line with technical reports that underline the urgent need for climate adaptation measures and public education on self-protection.

Additionally, 75% of those surveyed underscored the need for environmental regeneration in the area as a critical step toward strengthening coastal resilience.

Mayor Alfredo Gonçalvez reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to supporting the project, stating: “We will collaborate in everything that serves the well-being of our coastline, biodiversity, and the residents of our coastal communities.”

Councillor García Brink further highlighted the importance of embracing soft, preventive solutions rather than deferring action, which could ultimately force reliance on costly, hard-engineering structures such as sea walls or promenades, interventions that could harm the local ecosystem and recreational activities.

About LIFE COSTAdapta

Beyond enhancing the resilience of coastal zones, LIFE COSTAdapta also seeks to conserve characteristic coastal habitats and safeguard the local tourism economy. The project aims to deliver sustainable solutions to reduce flood risks and preserve the natural allure of the area, ensuring the long-term stability of the coastline.

With a duration of seven years and a total budget of 3,409,864 EUR (2,045,818 EUR subsidized by the EU through the LIFE Program), COSTAdapta is a project coordinated by the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council (CIEGC) of the Gran Canaria Cabildo with the support of seven partners: the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC); the University of Cantabria (UC); INGECID, Research and Development of Projects; Raley Estudios Costeros S.C.P.; ECOncrete AQUA; the Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development (FCR); and the Finnova Foundation.

• Adapting to climate change is no longer an option, it is a necessity; coastal areas are on the front line against extreme weather events such as storms
• The recent activation of a coastal phenomena pre-alert in the Canary Islands highlights the urgency of implementing sustainable solutions like those proposed by the European project

Brussels, April 7th, 2025. Today, Monday, April 7th, 2025, we celebrate World Health Day, a day dedicated to human well-being. On this important day, the European project LIFE COSTAdapta reminds us that health does not depend solely on hospitals and medicine, but also on the environment we live in. This year, this symbolic day coincides with the activation of a pre-alert for coastal phenomena across the Canary Islands, declared today by the regional government due to rough sea conditions and forecasts of strong waves. The Government of the Canary Islands, through the General Directorate for Emergencies, activated this pre-alert based on information from the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and in accordance with the Canary Islands’ Specific Emergency Plan for Adverse Weather Phenomena (PEFMA). A worsening of sea conditions is expected, especially affecting the coasts of La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. This new situation adds to the recent impact of storm Konrad in March, which brought heavy rains and dangerous, powerful waves. Waves, flooding, and coastal overflow can cause material damage, but also have an impact on the mental and physical health of people particularly in the most vulnerable areas.

In this context, LIFE COSTAdapta stands as a key initiative to implement nature-based solutions aimed at strengthening the resilience of coastal areas in the face of climate change. These actions seek not only to protect the environment but also the health and well-being of marine biodiversity and local communities. The link between environmental health and human health is undeniable: population exposure to risks such as flooding, water pollution, and biodiversity loss are events that can affect public health. Initiatives like this project are fundamental to ensuring a safe and healthy environment.

About LIFE COSTAdapta

LIFE COSTAdapta is a European project aimed at creating a system of tidal pool reefs, a nature-based solution that combines marine ecosystem restoration with coastal protection. These reefs, which function as natural barriers, act as buffers against the force of waves and storms, reducing coastal erosion and protecting nearby infrastructures.

Additionally, tidal-pool reefs create habitats for a wide variety of marine species, contributing to local biodiversity and the health of marine ecosystems. This approach not only improves coastal resilience but also offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to address the challenges of climate change in coastal areas.

The project is led by the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council and has a total budget of €3,409,864, of which 60% is funded by the European Union. The consortium behind this initiative is made up of 7 partners: the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the University of Cantabria, INGECID, Raley Coastal Studies, ECOncrete, the Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development, and the Finnova Foundation.

The project participates in a European meeting on sustainable strategies at the land-sea interface in Tafira

Brussels, April 1, 2025 – Coastal governance is key to climate change adaptation, and within the framework of the European project LIFE COSTAdapta, efforts continue to advance in the creation of strategic alliances. In this context, on Thursday and Friday, March 27-28, 2025, Patricia Caro, project manager at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), a partner of LIFE COSTAdapta, participated in the workshop of the European project BlueGreen Governance (BGG), “Exploring the Horizon: Land-Sea Governance in Macaronesia.“ This international event took place at the Science and Technology Park, located on the Tafira Campus.

Patricia Caro’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the progress of LIFE COSTAdapta and strengthen cooperation in land-sea governance—an essential aspect of enhancing the resilience of coastal ecosystems against the effects of climate change, such as erosion and rising sea levels.

LIFE COSTAdapta, with a total budget of €3,409,864 (of which €2,045,818 is funded by the European Union through the LIFE Programme), is working on innovative coastal adaptation solutions, including the design and implementation of the progressive tidal pool-reef system. This approach not only contributes to the protection of marine biodiversity but also promotes the sustainability of the local economy.

The project is coordinated by the Island Energy Council of Gran Canaria and involves key partners such as the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the University of Cantabria, INGECID, Raley Estudios Costeros, ECOncrete, the Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development, and the Finnova Foundation.

The BlueGreen Governance project workshop provided a space for discussion and analysis of sustainable governance strategies in coastal and island areas, fostering knowledge exchange among experts and generating synergies between European initiatives.

“Strengthening cooperation between European projects is essential to finding effective solutions to climate change challenges. At LIFE COSTAdapta, we continue to promote actions that integrate science, innovation, and community participation,” highlighted Patricia Caro after her participation in the event.

To learn more about the project’s progress and activities, follow LIFE COSTAdapta on social media and visit its official website: https://costadapta.energiagrancanaria.com/

• World Climate Day reminds us of the urgent need to take action to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change
• The European project works towards creating nature-based solutions to strengthen the resilience of the coast against climate threats in Gran Canaria

Brussels, March 26th, 2025. Every year on March 26th, we commemorate World Climate Day, a key date to reflect on the importance of preserving the planet’s climate balance and taking action against the effects of global warming. In this context, the LIFE COSTAdapta project reaffirms its commitment to protecting the coast of Gran Canaria, a region particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

The recent floods and strong waves that affected the Canary Islands last week have highlighted the need for coastal adaptation measures. With waves over 12 meters high and flood risk alerts, coastal erosion and damage to infrastructure are becoming increasingly frequent problems, some media outlets have even speculated about the possible arrival of a new DANA (Isolated High-Level Depression) in the Canary Islands. In this context, LIFE COSTAdapta aims to mitigate these effects through innovative nature-based solutions.

Climate change is a global threat, but its impacts are particularly intense in island regions like the Canary Islands. World Climate Day reminds us of the importance of implementing adaptation strategies that minimise risks and protect coastal ecosystems and local communities.

About LIFE COSTAdapta

LIFE COSTAdapta is a European project developing an innovative tidal pool-reef system to reduce the effects of rising sea levels. This solution aims to protect marine biodiversity, mitigate coastal erosion, and minimize damage to coastal infrastructure.

The project is coordinated by the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council (CIEGC) and involves collaboration from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the University of Cantabria, Raley Coastal Studies, ECOncrete AQUA, INGECID, Fundación Canarias Recicla, and Fundación Finnova. It has a total budget of €3.4 million, 60% of which is funded by the European Union through the LIFE program.

Patricia Caro, Project Manager at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), partner of LIFE COSTAdapta, presented the pilot project on Cadena SER last Sunday, March 9^th

On World Water Day, the LIFE COSTAdapta project strengthens its commitment to coastal adaptation and the sustainability of marine ecosystems

Brussels, March 22^nd, 2025 – Last Sunday, March 9^th, Patricia Caro, Project Manager at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and one of the partners of the project, participated in the radio program Hora 14 Fin de Semana Canarias on Cadena SER to present the latest developments in the European project LIFE COSTAdapta. During her intervention, she highlighted how this initiative is developing innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change on the coasts of Gran Canaria, with a special focus on sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Coinciding with World Water Day, today 22^nd March, LIFE COSTAdapta reinforces its commitment to preserving coastal ecosystems and promoting the sustainable use of water resources. This pilot project, funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, focuses on designing and implementing tidal pool-reef structures, artificial reefs engineered to dissipate wave energy and enhance natural coastal regeneration processes.

During the program, Patricia Caro emphasized the key role of these infrastructures in coastal adaptation:

“The goal is to design them for adaptation purposes, supporting natural coastal protection processes through these structures. One of the main objectives is to stabilize the shoreline and minimize erosion, which is another risk associated with rising sea levels and increasing extreme weather events.”

LIFE COSTAdapta has a total budget of €3,409,864, with 60% co-funded by the European Union through the LIFE Programme. The project is coordinated by the Island Energy Council of Gran Canaria (CIEGC) and involves the collaboration of ULPGC, the University of Cantabria, Raley Estudios Costeros, ECOncrete AQUA, INGECID, Fundación Canarias Recicla, and Finnova.

Every year on March 22, World Water Day serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting water resources and developing strategies for climate change adaptation. In this context, LIFE COSTAdapta proposes an innovative and sustainable solution for coastal protection, fully aligned with the goals of ecological transition and the mitigation of environmental impact on oceans.

The full interview is available on Cadena SER.

For more information about the project, visit its official website: LIFE COSTAdapta.

The consortium consolidates progress in coastal adaptation and outlines the next steps for the project

Brussels, March 14^th, 2025. Today, Friday, March 14^th , the third consortium meeting of the LIFE COSTAdapta project took place. This pioneering initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of coastal areas against climate change through the creation of tidal pool-reefs. During the meeting, the eight entities forming the consortium, including renowned universities and companies in the fields of engineering and sustainability, worked together to assess progress and define the next steps of the project.

The session began at 9:00 AM CTE (Canary Islands Time, 10:00 AM CET) with a welcome to participants. This was followed by a review of LIFE COSTAdapta’s progress in various areas: from management and coordination (WP1), including an evaluation of milestones and deliverables, to preparatory actions such as the creation of a promotional video (WP2), presented by Cecilia Ribalaygua and Francisco García (UC). From 10:10 to 10:35 AM, Iñaki Pérez (APP-ULPGC) shared results from development actions (WP3), followed by a review of implementation actions (WP4) led by Nuria Pérez (INGECID). The meeting concluded with a segment on communication, sustainability, and result replication (WP6), presented by Yolanda Durán (Finnova) and Iñaki Pérez (APP-ULPGC).

Among the most relevant topics was the community request for a protective wall, for which the final proposed structure was presented. Additionally, discussions were held on the potential evolution of species that could inhabit the project area, a crucial aspect for marine biodiversity.

Next meeting and project expansion

The fourth monitoring meeting is scheduled for October and will be held in person in the Canary Islands, allowing partners to visit the site where the structures will be placed. Taking advantage of this occasion, a parallel event will be organized to showcase the project and connect with other coastal adaptation initiatives in the region.

Moreover, the participation of European institutions is expected to expand the project’s reach and foster collaboration on future coastal adaptation efforts.

About LIFE COSTAdapta

LIFE COSTAdapta, funded by the EU LIFE Programme with a total budget of €3,409,864, is coordinated by the Consejo Insular de Energía de Gran Canaria in collaboration with universities and specialized entities in engineering and sustainability. Its innovative approach could serve as a model for other European regions affected by erosion and rising sea levels.

LIFE COSTAdapta brings together leading experts such as INGECID, contributing its expertise in sustainable engineering; the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Cantabria, providing knowledge in natural sciences; and Raley Estudios Costeros, conducting coastal studies to identify the most vulnerable areas. ECOncrete AQUA leads innovation in marine infrastructure, while Fundación Canarias Recicla ensures sustainability in the Canary Islands. Finnova manages internal and external communications for the project.

More information about the project: https://costadapta.energiagrancanaria.com/