Tenerife Launches Major Strategy to Boost Climate Resilience and Sustainable Tourism
Tenerife has launched a comprehensive 2024–2025 sustainability strategy, funded by eco-taxes, to bolster climate resilience through upgraded water infrastructure, renewable energy integration, improved waste management, and enhanced disaster prevention measures.
Tenerife is currently overhauling how it manages its natural resources. According to the island’s Ministry, a new strategy for 2024–2025 aims to balance the demands of tourism and a growing population with the need to protect the island’s fragile ecosystems. This plan ranges from upgrading water infrastructure to professionalizing firefighting teams.
To build climate resilience, the Island Council (Cabildo) is focusing on making essential facilities energy-independent. This includes installing solar panels at desalination plants in Adeje and Arona and launching 31 local energy communities to help decarbonize the island. Additionally, 2.7 million euros have been invested to install 89 new electric vehicle charging points across the island.
Water and waste management are also key priorities. To combat water shortages, the island has expanded desalination capacity in Granadilla, Fonsalía, Adeje, and Arona, and added high-efficiency systems in Abona. For waste management, a 474-million-euro contract with the company Nivaria, supported by an extra 55 million in funding, aims to centralize waste logistics. This will improve the treatment of debris and leachate while reducing the carbon emissions caused by transporting waste.
Protecting biodiversity and preventing disasters remain top concerns. Over 3 million euros have been dedicated to fire prevention in the Anaga Rural Park, and the Brifor firefighting team has been strengthened with 760 personnel, drones, thermal cameras, and support from the Ministry of Defense. Following the major 2023 wildfires, the focus has shifted to reforestation and soil recovery. The island is also working to control invasive species—such as mouflons, rabbits, and fountain grass—while promoting environmental education and volunteer programs.
Finally, these initiatives are funded in part by an eco-tax applied to high-traffic areas like Teide National Park and the Masca Gorge. These funds are used to maintain public facilities and directly protect local habitats. The island is also prioritizing civil safety, recently participating in international exercises like EU-Modex 2025 to update emergency plans and improve coordination between local and island-wide response teams.