The European Union Is Helping These Islands To Go Renewable

By James Ellsmoor, this piece was originally published in Forbes.                                                       

With an aim to help make islands more self-sufficient, prosperous and sustainable, the European Union has recently launched its Clean Energy for EU Islands project. Twenty-six islands across 10 European nations have been selected due to their potential to successfully establish a high-quality energy transition and as a result of their varying geographical locations. The progress made on these islands will be used as the blueprint for future development of the other 2,200 inhabited islands that are part of the EU as well as help shape policy on the mainland. Additionally, the Clean Energy for EU Islands project is sure to also serve as an example to other island-nations throughout the world looking to become more sustainable.

Phase one of the project will see the first six islands – the Aran Islands (Ireland), Cres-Lošinj (Croatia), Sifnos (Greece), Culatra (Portugal), Salina (Italy) and La Palma (Spain) – develop their energy transition plan by the summer of 2019. The remaining twenty will be tasked with publishing their own plans in 2020. The transition framework will be crafted through a multi-stakeholder process, which includes local authorities, citizens, civil society organizations, local businesses, and academia. The transition framework will be crafted jointly by representatives of these stakeholder groups on each island with support from the Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat and will work towards the EU’s plan to provide clean energy for all citizens.
Dominique Ristori, Director-General for Energy at the European Commission, said: “The 26 islands selected display a remarkable potential and enthusiasm for developing strong and lasting multi-stakeholder collaborations around the clean energy transition. By embarking on this path, not only will they become more energy self-reliant and prosperous, but also provide inspiring examples for other islands and Europe as a whole. This, in turn, will help the EU achieve its ambitious climate and energy targets.”

Islands Leading Innovation

With a general goal of reducing carbon emissions as well as their reliance on fossil fuels and implementing renewable energy, these islands will be leading innovation in self-sufficiency and sustainable development. Croatian MEP Tonino Picula has lauded the project as a step in the right direction, saying: “Islands are becoming more and more visible on the European agenda. The support for 26 islands throughout the Union is an important step in making island communities torchbearers in clean energy transition. This is a first, but an important, step in securing permanent EU assistance to islands.”

By James Ellsmoor

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