The project’s main objective is to address the adaptation of Gran Canaria’s coastline to sea level rise
The initiative is expected to run for seven years and has a total budget of €3,409,864
The meeting marks the beginning of a collaborative and multidisciplinary effort to tackle one of Gran Canaria’s most pressing challenges
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 19 September 2023. – The President of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, officially opened the kick-off event for the European project LIFE COSTAdapta at Infecar. The initiative aims to adapt Gran Canaria’s coastline to the challenges posed by climate change.
Held under the title “LIFE COSTAdapta Kick-off Meeting”,the event featured keynote presentations from the Councilor for Environment, Climate, Energy and Knowledge of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Raúl García Brink, and the Director of the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council (CIEGC), Alexis Lozano.
Experts from the project’s seven partner organizations also participated in the event: the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the University of Cantabria (UC), INGECID Research and Development, Raley Coastal Studies S.C.P., ECOncrete AQUA, the Canary Islands Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development (FCR), and the Finnova Foundation.
Antonio Morales welcomed the launch of LIFE COSTAdapta, stating:
“This project represents a major milestone in our efforts to address climate change and protect our coastline.”
“The collaboration of seven outstanding partners gives us confidence that we can develop innovative solutions to preserve both our natural environment and our economy. We are committed to working together to ensure a sustainable future for Gran Canaria.”
Raúl García Brink also highlighted the significance of the initiative:
“LIFE COSTAdapta not only represents an important step forward in adapting our coastline to climate change, but also demonstrates our commitment to environmental protection and the promotion of sustainable solutions.”
“We look forward to seeing how this multidisciplinary collaboration addresses the environmental challenges of our time.”
LIFE COSTAdapta: Innovation for Climate Change Adaptation
The main objective of the LIFE COSTAdapta project is to support the adaptation of Gran Canaria’s coastline to sea level rise through an innovative methodology. To achieve this, the project will design and test a progressive tidal pool-reef system, combining traditional tidal pool construction techniques with advanced nature-based solutions.
This approach will contribute to the progressive adaptation of Gran Canaria’s coastline to climate change, a crucial objective given the Canary Islands’ high vulnerability to climate impacts, particularly sea level rise.
Beyond strengthening the resilience of coastal areas, LIFE COSTAdapta also seeks to conserve the characteristic habitats of these ecosystems while protecting the local tourism economy. The project will enhance long-term economic sustainability by providing solutions to coastal flooding and preserving the region’s attractiveness as a tourist destination, thereby contributing to the stability of the coastline.
The project has a duration of seven years and a total budget of €3,409,864, of which €2,045,818 is funded by the European Union through the LIFE Programme. It is coordinated by the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council (CIEGC), part of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, with the support of its seven project partners.
LIFE COSTAdapta represents a significant step forward in adapting Gran Canaria’s coastline to climate change while promoting resilience and sustainable economic development across the region. The technical meeting held today marks the beginning of a collaborative and multidisciplinary effort to address one of Gran Canaria’s greatest climate challenges.