Canary Islands Calls for National Agreement on Climate Risks
The Canary Islands government is urging the central government to enter negotiations for a national agreement on preventing and responding to natural risks. This follows a joint declaration signed by several regional governments.
The declaration stresses the need for an integrated approach to combat climate change, combining mitigation with adaptation strategies, forest management, civil protection, and effective governance among authorities.
Mariano Hernández Zapata, the regional Minister for Ecological Transition and Energy, highlighted that the Canary Islands have proposed concrete measures to the Spanish government months ago, but have yet to receive any response. He emphasised the need for genuine dialogue over unilateral announcements, arguing that real agreements require collaboration.
Zapata underlined the necessity for proactive measures in the face of climate change effects. In particular, he pointed out that for vulnerable territories like the Canary Islands, investing in prevention and forest management is essential.
Currently, the Canary Islands government is advancing its own strategy, focusing on continuous prevention and enhancing fire prevention resources. The joint declaration also calls for urgent convening of the Sectorial Conference on Environment to initiate discussions.
Hernández reiterated the willingness of the Canary Islands government to assist in building this national agreement, stressing the importance of institutional cooperation to develop effective responses to increasingly frequent climate risks.
