On 21-22 September, the AIR Centre joined partners in La Palma, Canary Islands for the kick-off meeting of Isla Bonita, a new project that aims to help island authorities advance climate resilience and ocean health through innovative, locally driven solutions. The initiative contributes to the objectives of the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters and seeks to support sustainable transitions across European island communities.
Coordinated by PLOCAN, Isla Bonita will work across three lighthouse basins through stakeholder-led Living Labs, a portfolio of nature-based solutions, and a Mission Ocean Accelerator Hub designed to attract investment for sustainable island roadmaps. The project also aims to connect experiences from different regions and develop solutions that can be replicated beyond the initial demonstration sites.
The AIR Centre contributes through its role in the Cross-Basin Task Force, supporting knowledge exchange between lighthouse basins and helping ensure that lessons learned from individual demonstrations are shared across the wider Mission Ocean community. The organisation also supports communication and dissemination activities, strengthening the project's visibility and long-term impact.
In the Azores demonstration site, the AIR Centre is helping advance sustainable whale-watching practices as part of efforts to reduce underwater noise impacts. This includes characterising whale-watching vessels and exploring how Earth Observation technologies can support monitoring activities and more environmentally responsible maritime tourism.
[PC, 30 September 2026]
Collaboration
