The Global Sustainable Islands Summit in Gran Canaria will showcase innovative solutions to sea-level rise funded by the European Union
Gran Canaria, February 9, 2026. Patricia del Mar Caro Ruiz, Project Manager at IOCAG – Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and Coordinator of the LIFE COSTAdapta project, has been officially invited as a speaker at the Global Sustainable Islands Summit (GSIS) 2026. This high-level international forum, co-organised by Island Innovation and the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, will take place from April 20–22, 2026, bringing together government leaders, academics, and experts to address the most pressing sustainability challenges for islands worldwide.
The GSIS 2026 focuses on Climate Adaptation, Renewable Energy, and Sustainable Tourism. In this framework, Ms. Caro Ruiz will detail how LIFE COSTAdapta addresses the climate vulnerability of Gran Canaria through a pioneering methodology: the Tidal pool-reef system. This nature-based solution combines traditional Canary Island techniques with advanced engineering to strengthen coastal resilience without compromising the public use of beaches or local landscapes. The project aims to protect biodiversity and the local tourism economy, ensuring that coastal areas remain accessible and safe for residents and visitors alike despite rising sea levels.
The project has a total budget of €3,337,563, with €2,002,538 co-funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Union. Led by the Consejo Insular de la Energía de Gran Canaria (CIEGC), the consortium includes ULPGC, the University of Cantabria (UC), INGECID, Raley Estudios Costeros S.C.P., ECOncrete AQUA, the Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development (FCR), and the Finnova Foundation
Technical Sheet:
- Project: LIFE COSTAdapta (LIFE21-CCA-ES-LIFE COSTAdapta/101074552)
- Event: Global Sustainable Islands Summit 2026 | https://gsis.islandinnovation.co/
- Total Budget: €3,337,563 (60% EU Contribution)