The main objective of LIFE COSTAdapta project is to address the adaptation of the coast of Gran Canaria to sea level rise through an innovative methodology. To this end, the aim is to design and test an innovative system of proximity reefs that partially use the traditional technique of building ‘tidal pool-reefs’ common in the Canary Islands and the rest of Macaronesia. 

The Canary Islands are in a highly vulnerable position to the impacts of climate change, a fact underscored by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This vulnerability is made evident by a substantial rise in sea levels that is directly impacting their coastlines. To address this environmental challenge, the European project LIFE COSTAdapta is dedicated to enhancing the resilience of coastal areas in the face of rising sea levels, while also promoting the preservation of the unique biodiversity of these regions.

Furthermore, the project aims to safeguard the sustainability of the local tourism industry by enabling the enjoyment of natural pools. These pools not only offer a solution to potential flooding but also contribute to maintaining the region’s appeal as a tourist destination.

With a duration of 7 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 Insular Energy Council of Gran Canaria (CIEGC) of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria with the support of 7 partners: University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC); University of Cantabria (UC); INGECID, Research and Project Development; Raley Coastal Studies S.C.P.; ECOncrete AQUA; Canary Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development (FCR) and Finnova Foundation.