South Korean Officials Visit Canary Islands to Study Fog-Harvesting Water Technology
South Korean officials visited the Canary Islands to study the EU-funded 'Life Nieblas' project, which utilizes biomimetic mesh technology to harvest water from fog as a sustainable solution for water scarcity.
South Korean officials recently visited the Canary Islands Institute of Agricultural Research (ICIA) in Tenerife to study a new method for harvesting water from the atmosphere. This technology is part of the EU-funded 'Life Nieblas' project, which uses biomimetic design to combat desertification.
The interest from Seoul is significant. Experts from South Korea’s National Disaster Management Research Institute and the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements visited the islands to see how the system mimics the laurel forest’s natural ability to condense moisture from fog. Because the system relies on gravity and vertical mesh structures rather than external power, it is being viewed as a valuable tool for regions struggling with water shortages.
During the visit, Canary Islands officials and researchers shared findings from projects in Gran Canaria, Catalonia, and Portugal, where the technology has been used to help restore land damaged by fires and soil degradation. The South Korean delegation assessed whether this model could be successfully exported to other parts of the world.
The visit included a tour of the ICIA’s hydraulic laboratory, where experts examined the wind tunnels used to refine the collectors. The group also visited the Anaga massif to inspect real-time monitoring equipment. These tests have proven that the technology is both effective and durable, positioning the Canary Islands as a global leader in developing innovative solutions to the climate crisis.