Prime Highlights
- The Lancet recognised the Canary Islands’ “Salud Zer0 Emisiones Netas 2030” strategy as a leading European health-climate tool.
- The Canary Islands became Spain’s first region with all public hospitals carbon-footprint certified under ISO 14064-1:2018.
Key Facts
- The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change monitors global compliance with Paris Agreement health and climate indicators.
- Fourteen photovoltaic projects were installed across Canary Islands health centres with an investment of around 4.3 million euros.
Background
Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, an internationally recognised publication, has recognised the Canary Islands and Galicia as pioneering regions of Europe in terms of developing instruments aimed at combating climate change and enhancing the efficiency of the regions’ public health care systems.
The strategy “Salud Zer0 Emisiones Netas 2030,” developed by the Ministry of Health of the Canary Islands Government, is considered one of the best instruments in Europe that can help reduce the negative environmental impact made by the region’s public health system. In its report “Health and Climate in Spain,” part of its 2026 annual analysis, The Lancet noted that the Canary Islands government has established a formal strategy with quantified objectives and measurable progress. The publication highlighted the archipelago, along with Galicia, as among the regions most active in building climate-resilient, sustainable health systems.
Since the strategy began, concrete steps have followed, including replacing air conditioning and heating equipment, upgrading lighting, adopting renewable energy and introducing green fuels such as hydrogen and methanol, a project declared strategic by the regional government. The Canary Islands became the first Spanish autonomous community to have all its public hospitals carbon-footprint certified under ISO 14064-1:2018, awarded by Aenor.
During the previous year, fourteen photovoltaic projects were installed on the roofs of Canary Islands health centres, with a combined capacity of 2,650 kW and an investment of around 4.3 million euros from Next Generation funds. LED lighting upgrades required a two-million-euro investment and are expected to save roughly 230,000 euros annually. A geothermal energy system has also been installed at the Doctor José Molina Orosa University Hospital, while La Palma’s university hospital has renovated its air conditioning system.
