FEDARENE Members Driving Island Sustainability at Ecoislas 2025

The second International Ecoislas Forum took place on 2-3 February in Gran Canaria, bringing together global, national, and local to discuss and promote sustainable socio-economic models specifically designed for island communities. This year’s event featured key representatives from various islands, including Savvas Vlachos, Raúl García Brink, and Sulev Alajöe, who shared their insights on sustainable energy transitions, climate adaptation, and circular economy strategies for island territories.

Organised by Infecar, Feria de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC), and financed by Gran Canaria Island Energy Council , this prestigious event facilitated discussions on critical sustainability challenges, such as energy transitions, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.

Key Figures driving Island Sustainability

Several influential figures from the FEDARENE network played an essential role in the forum, sharing their expertise in sustainable island development.

Among them was Raúl García Brink, the Councillor for Environment, Climate, Energy and Knowledge in Gran Canaria, as well as the Vice-President of Gran Canaria Island Energy Council. He hosted the forum and actively engaged in discussions regarding environmental policies and sustainability initiatives for island communities. His focus has been on building resilience through circular economy practices, climate adaptation strategies, and improving Gran Canaria’s reputation as a leader in sustainability.

Savvas Vlachos, Director of the Cyprus Energy Agency, and FEDARENE Vice-President for Smart and Sustainable Islands was also present. He contributed to the session on “The Transition to a Net Zero Emissions Model.” He emphasised the urgency for islands to move away from fossil fuel-based energy systems and adopt renewable energy solutions, sustainable mobility initiatives, and nature-based innovations.

Cyprus serves as a leading example in this regard, having implemented highly efficient buildings, smart energy systems, and green infrastructure, positioning itself as a model for other island territories. A standout initiative is the PEDIA project (Promoting Energy Efficiency & Developing Innovative Approaches in Schools), coordinated by the Cyprus Energy Agency and funded by the Horizon 2020 framework programme of the European Union.

Gonzalo Piernavieja, Director of R&D&I at ITC, brought a wealth of experience in renewable energy, water technologies, and sustainability strategies. With a background in physics and environmental management, he has played a key role in advancing research, innovation, and policy implementation for the Canary Islands. His expertise in coordinating technological development across multiple sectors provided valuable insights into how islands can leverage cutting-edge solutions to achieve greater energy independence and climate resilience.

Sulev Alajöe, Managing Director of the Estonian Islands Energy Agency, shared practical insights on energy self-sufficiency and innovative local solutions. His contributions highlighted how decentralised energy models can improve resilience and independence for island communities, with Estonia serving as a strong example of these principles in action.

A Successful Forum for Island Sustainability

The second International Ecoislas Forum proved to be a crucial platform for exchanging ideas and advancing sustainability initiatives in island communities. With valuable contributions from leading experts, the event reinforced the commitment to building a greener and more resilient future for islands around the world.

The Forum also demonstrated that FEDARENE is an important voice in the decarbonisation of islands, with its members actively working to transform European islands into laboratories of innovative and clean solutions.