Join the EU islands secretariat on the Azores for the annual #CE4EUislands Forum!Island communities, experts, and stakeholders will meet to explore how to achieve a 100% renewable energy future while balancing environmental, economic, and social priorities.SAVE THE DATE: 14-15 May 2025, São Miguel, AZORES, PORTUGALPlease find more information on the EU islands forum 2025 here.
While islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change, they enjoy a naturally high potential of renewable energy sources to harness. Many islands have abundant renewable energy potential, which can be tapped to lead decarbonisation. However, access to reliable, clean and competitive sources of energy remains a main concern of island communities in the EU. Although it is often technically and financially possible to develop renewable energy projects on islands, legal and regulatory frameworks, whether EU, national, regional or local, are not always fitfor purpose.
The European Commission has presented its first dedicated strategy for EU islands, marking a significant milestone in recognising the unique challenges and opportunities facing island communities across Europe.The new strategy focuses on strengthening islands’ resilience, competitiveness and sustainability, while ensuring that the green transition delivers tangible benefits for local communities.
The Clean energy for EU islands secretariat has published a new technical assistance report examining how to reduce emissions from ferry services connecting the Swedish islands of Hven, Visingsö, Vinön and Holmön with the mainland.The study, available here: Decarbonisation of the ferry service for Hven, Visingsö, Vinön, and Holmön, provides a comprehensive assessment of maritime transport systems that are essential to daily life on these islands, where ferry routes typically cover distances of around 10 km in about 30 minutes and can reach up to 30 crossings per day.As on many European
The European Commission's Better Homes Partnership, announced in the European Affordable Housing Plan, aims to accelerate affordable and high-quality home renovations, decarbonise heating systems, and stimulate the uptake of innovative solutions through projects on the ground.
Island communities, experts, and stakeholders came together to explore the path to achieving a 100% renewable energy future while balancing environmental, economic, and social priorities.The Clean energy for EU islands forum 2025, held in São Miguel, Azores, brought together participants from over 30 islands to explore the theme “The Islands Formula: Balancing Environmental, Social and Economic Priorities for the 100% Renewable Goal.” Over two days, the forum featured keynote speeches, technical workshops, and panel discussions addressing renewable energy, sustainable transport, energy effi
Under the motto "Resilient islands, resilient Europe", the forum focused on the governance of the decarbonisation of EU islands and on aligning all stakeholders for a just energy transition. Firsthand testimonies from the transition teams of the 30for2030 islands provided key insights to empower the islands and their communities by aligning stakeholders’ views, priorities, and objectives.
In this study, the status of the maritime transport to and from four small islands located in Sweden is presented.
Held over two days at Case Esment near Palma, Mallorca, the Clean energy for EU islands forum 2026 brought together 133 participants to take stock of progress and define the next steps for decarbonising Europe’s islands.
Day 2 focusing on implementation, integrated planning and island-tailored policyThe second day of the Clean energy for EU islands forum 2026 in Mallorca turned attention from overarching governance questions to the practical conditions needed to deliver island decarbonisation on the ground. Across breakout sessions, panel discussions and the closing plenary, participants explored how integrated planning, stronger local delivery structures and closer alignment between island, national and European actors can help translate ambitious targets into concrete action.