SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 19th April – EUROPA PRESS –
The spokesperson for the Government of the Canary Islands and vice-counselor of the Presidency of the Government of the Canary Islands, Alfonso Cabello, along with the vice-counselor of the President’s Cabinet, Octavio Caraballo, unveiled on Friday the initiatives of the Canary Islands Sustainability Laboratory (LSC), the primary project supported by the Canarian Agenda 2030 in partnership with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and the University of La Laguna (ULL).
Alfonso Cabello emphasised this venture, a key component of one of the 14 projects constituting the Canarian Agenda for Sustainable Development, and reiterated the collaborative efforts with both Canarian public universities.
In this context, he underlined the importance of having well-structured and monitored indicators and figures to make informed decisions related to sustainability.
He also acknowledged the abundance of talent in public universities across Europe, stating that the Government of the Canary Islands seeks to combine this talent and information to enhance decision-making processes.
The Canary Islands Sustainability Laboratory has been established with the aim of establishing an inter-university collaborative network involving the public universities in the Canary Islands, namely the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and the University of La Laguna (ULL), under the auspices of the Sustainability NY Laboratory (LSNY).
Supported by the Government of the Canary Islands and other interested institutions or entities, this collaborative network aims to encourage strategic reflections on sustainable development in the Canary Islands, incorporating the perspectives of relevant international entities and experts, as stated in a government release.
The Canary Islands Sustainability Laboratory aspires to be a distinctive point of reference in its domain, dedicated to researching, assessing, and monitoring sustainability processes in collaboration with a network of researchers, professionals, and public and private stakeholders globally.
This initiative aligns with the strategic actions undertaken by the New York Sustainability Laboratory on the islands to promote modern frameworks and actions in sustainability.
Attendees at the meeting also included the director of the UNESCO Chair of Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Carmelo León, and the doctor-researchers from the Chair of Tourism at the University of La Laguna, Carlos Fernández and Raúl Hernández.
Carmelo León noted that it is crucial to recognise that “the Canary Islands thrive not only on the economy but also on the environment,” explaining that this laboratory, through a multidisciplinary approach involving researchers and scientists from various fields, provides knowledge and indicators to model interdependencies systematically and anticipate potential future outcomes based on the traditional inertias of socioeconomic development.
ENHANCING SOCIAL WELFARE
Carlos Fernández highlighted that the project aims to “contribute from the university to the social and economic well-being of the Canary Islands by reflecting on the new planetary changes” present.
The project leverages the extensive knowledge generated in universities, forming a broad network that intersects with the tourism sector.
“The level of interdisciplinarity will rely on research lines, requirements, projects, and prioritised actions,” he added.
Initial actions under the Canary Islands Sustainability Laboratory include the development of a comprehensive sustainability indicator map for the Canary Islands, conducting a carrying capacity study in island territories, and initiating research for Master’s and doctoral theses aligned with the objectives and priorities of the LSC.
A repository of documents will be curated containing works and research on sustainability in the Canary Islands.
Additionally, a seminar programme titled ‘Exploring the Frontiers of Sustainability’ will be introduced to delve into urgent sustainability issues and societal problems, positioning the LSC as a global collaboration platform involving various agencies, institutions, and organisations.
This platform will enable the Canary Islands to benefit from knowledge exchange and good practices, articulating challenges, progress, and guidelines as island territories in the midst of ecological transition strategies.
