Canary Islands Officials Push for Environmental Overhaul Amid Tourism and Climate Pressures
Canary Islands officials are calling for an urgent overhaul of environmental policies and increased conservation funding to address ecosystem degradation and the mounting pressures of mass tourism.
The Canary Islands are at a turning point. With tourism putting immense pressure on the land, officials are calling for a major overhaul of environmental policies. Following a recent forum at the Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA), the regional government admitted that current regulations are outdated and ill-equipped to handle today’s climate challenges.
Mariano Hernández Zapata, the Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy, stressed the urgent need to finalize management plans for the archipelago’s four national parks. These protected areas hosted over eight million visitors in 2025, pushing the limits of ecosystems that are globally significant due to their unique plant and animal life. Meanwhile, the government is working to establish a new marine national park off El Hierro, though officials note that more funding is needed to make the project a reality.
Experts at the forum also highlighted a serious issue: the degradation of the islands' soil. Marisa Tejedor, head of the Scientific Committee of Biosphere Reserves, reported that nearly 40% of the region’s land is suffering from deforestation and chemical damage, often worsened by poor-quality irrigation water. Given these risks and the constant threat of wildfires, experts are urging closer cooperation between scientists and government agencies.
The discussion also touched on the possibility of new environmental taxes. Participants agreed that if such taxes are introduced, the revenue must be used exclusively for conservation. Finally, there was a consensus that communication about the climate crisis needs to change. The goal is to move past abstract warnings and foster a public understanding that protecting the environment is essential for public health, the local economy, and the future of the islands.