The island of El Hierro is located in the most southern and western part of the archipelago. Since 1933, the Orchilla Lighthouse has been the most western point of Spain. The island boasts of its great beauty within a few kilometers but also of being “the sustainable island”.
In 1997 the Cabildo of El Hierro approved a Sustainable Development Plan. The objective is to take advantage of all the resources that the island had. This plan included, among other things, 100% zero waste, 100% ecological products, sustainable mobility, environmental protection or achieving energy self-sufficiency with renewable sources. The aim is that the Herreños do not pay so much for electricity and help the environment
In the year 2000 this island was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. It is the first island in Spain to have a plan to replace polluting vehicles with sustainable ones by renewable energy from its hydroelectric plant.
The objective of the island
The island and its government focus their efforts on making the island self-sufficient. The first step has already been taken when in the middle of August the island supplied itself with energy for 24 days. They are giving themselves a period of four to eight years to achieve this.
Each island has very varied charms, large beaches of white, black or rocky sand. Each island has its own history and gastronomy which is different but similar. Although what is clear is that the achievement of the island of El Hierro, the others still have much to do.
