- Raul Garcia and Alexis Lozano share their experience in climate adaptation at the European Forum of the Mission on Climate Change Adaptation
- The Island Council and the LIFE COSTAdapta project attend the event held in Wroclaw, Poland
Brussels, May 21, 2025. Representatives of the Island Council of Gran Canaria took part on Tuesday, May 20, in the European Union’s Mission on Climate Change Adaptation Forum, held in the polis city of Wroclaw. At this international gathering, innovative strategies and solutions were shared to tackle the effects of climate change across Europe.
The Councillor for Environment, Climate, Energy and Knowledge, Raúl García Brink, along with the Director of the Island Energy Council, Alexis Lozano, presented the work being carried out in Gran Canaria to advance climate risk adaptation. In particular, they highlighted the efforts of the LIFE COSTAdapta project, driven by the Island Energy Council and funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme.
During the forum, experiences were exchanged with other European regions that are also part of the Adaptation Mission, with the goal of identifying best practices and fostering cooperation networks. “We have held more than twenty technical meetings with the European Mission, which has allowed us to update our adaptation strategy and strengthen our local capabilities,” explained Raúl García Brink.
The Mission on Climate Change Adaptation Forum is a key event on the European climate resilience agenda. Organized by the European Commission and the Polish presidency of the EU Council, this annual meeting brings together representatives of local, regional, and national governments, as well as scientific institutions and social stakeholders committed to climate action. Its goal is to facilitate the exchange of experiences, identify innovative solutions, and advance a shared roadmap to address increasing climate risks. Gran Canaria’s participation in this forum reinforces its commitment to effective adaptation connected with science, citizens, and European policy.
The Mission on Climate Change Adaptation Forum is a key event on the European climate resilience agenda. Organized by the European Commission and the Polish presidency of the EU Council, this annual meeting brings together representatives of local, regional, and national governments, as well as scientific institutions and social stakeholders committed to climate action. Its goal is to facilitate the exchange of experiences, identify innovative solutions, and advance a shared roadmap to address increasing climate risks. Gran Canaria’s participation in this forum reinforces its commitment to effective adaptation connected with science, citizens, and European policy.
LIFE COSTAdapta develops nature-based solutions, such as the reef–tidal pool system, to reduce the impacts of climate change on coastal areas. These types of innovations help protect homes and infrastructure from rising sea levels, while promoting marine biodiversity and the local economy.
Participation in forums like this strengthens Gran Canaria’s role as a region committed to sustainability and climate resilience, and establishes LIFE COSTAdapta as a European benchmark in coastal adaptation.
About LIFE COSTAdapta
LIFE COSTAdapta is a project funded by the EU 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 reference for other European regions affected by erosion and sea level rise.
LIFE COSTAdapta includes contributions from experts such as INGECID, which provides expertise in sustainable engineering; the Universities of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Cantabria, offering knowledge in natural sciences; and Raley Coastal Studies, which conducts research to identify the most vulnerable coastal areas. Additionally, ECOncrete AQUA leads innovation in marine infrastructure, while the Canarias Recicla Foundation ensures sustainability in the Canary Islands. Finnova manages the project’s internal and external communications.