Carbon neutrality of an island with 100% renewable energy production and forest as carbon sinks: El Hierro (Canary Islands) a pilot for Europe

Abstract

The island of El Hierro is the smallest and youngest island in the Canary archipelago. It has been recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2000, and it has a population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of CO2 emissions absorbed by the forest stands of the island of El Hierro and compare it to the emissions generated by the population. It is noteworthy that there is a hydro‐wind energy production project on the island that has significantly minimized the emissions linked to energy production. In short, El Hierro's forest stands are capable of capturing 46,785 tons of CO2 annually, while emissions associated with electricity production and emissions linked to road mobility are below the island's carbon sequestration capacity since the Gorona del Viento renewable energy project was built. By working on investment in renewable energies to produce energy and changing mobility with the use of electric vehicles, a small island like El Hierro can adapt to ecological transition by the year 2040. This is a goal set by the government to drastically reduce emissions in the Canary Islands.