The Galapagos Islands: Leadership in environmentalism

The Galapagos Islands: Leadership in Environmentalism

Written by H.E. Mr. Andrés Terán Parral, Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands

AS A RESULT of more than 80 years of efforts to protect the Galapagos Islands, it makes sense to associate this unique archipelago off the coast of Ecuador with environmentalism. Indeed, pursuit of this objective has brought together a consortium of actors, all with the shared aim of protecting the terrestrial and marine ecosystems which make the Galapagos Islands exceptional.

It is worth mentioning that since 1959, under the auspices of UNESCO, the Charles Darwin Foundation has operated on the Santa Cruz Island, with the primary objective of providing knowledge and assistance through scientific research and complementary action to ensure conservation of the environment and biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands. This crucial work, carried out by Ecuadorian and international scientists is cutting edge, and dedicated to advancing these noble pursuits.

Following the designation of the Galapagos Islands as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, Ecuador implemented a series of local measures to reduce the impact of tourism, fishing, and the activities of the local population.

Notwithstanding these efforts, protection from serious threats, such as climate change, invasive species, increased human presence and illegal fishing, to name a few, is a complex and multidimensional challenge for local authorities, as well as for the Government of Ecuador at large. While any natural world heritage site is subject to these risks, the Galapagos Islands are particularly vulnerable to irreparable harm due to their delicate ecosystems and geographical position. It is important to mention that endangered species which migrate frequently between protected and international waters are especially vulnerable to indiscriminate fishing by large commercial vessels operating beyond the jurisdiction of Ecuador, within international waters.

Ecuador, conscious of the important responsibility it has for this biodiversity, is contributing to a number of initiatives aimed at tackling these core challenges. For climate change, for example, several legislative and policy objectives have been set to reduce greenhouse gases by 2050. “Ecological Transition” as it is referred to, was declared by President Guillermo Lasso of the Republic of Ecuador on 28 September 2021. This policy encompasses a number of measures which are being implemented to achieve sustainability in Ecuador and thus improve the ecological footprint of our society.

To that end, on 1 November 2021, at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, President Lasso announced that Ecuador was expanding the existing Galapagos Islands marine reserve by an additional 60.000 square kilometres. This added space is principally across the Cocos Ridge towards Costa Rica, which is an important migration route for species like hammerhead sharks and leatherback turtles, among many others, some of them endangered. On the very next day, the Presidents of Ecuador, Panamá, Colombia, and Costa Rica announced their intent to create a large marine corridor between the four countries, by extending and joining their current protected marine areas.

As concerns the expansion of the marine reserve of Galapagos, an Official Decree was issued in January of 2022. Importantly, it merits mentioning that the aforementioned expansion was advised and supported by the scientific community, the fishing sector, and the local population. With this new expansion, the Galapagos marine reserve protects almost 200.000 square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean and its marine life. The waters around the Galapagos are at the convergence of several cold and warm marine currents present in the Pacific Ocean, which by virtue of their interaction create an ideal setting for a variety of marine life to congregate and exist. Protection and expansion of this area was thus of strategic interest for Ecuador, as environmentalism forms a fundamental state policy. It is therefore all the more relevant that the marine reserve expansion represented a critical implementation of this policy, particularly by virtue of its protection of marine life and the management of commercial fishing within the jurisdiction of Ecuador. Indeed, the preservation of marine life and the management of balanced and sustainable fishing activities are equal partners in securing a future for the Galapagos Islands.

To elaborate further on this point, and on the subject of Ecuador’s leadership in environmentalism, it is of specific importance to refer to the fact that Ecuador is leading discussions in the elaboration of a legally binding instrument to address global plastic pollution in the environment, within the United Nations Framework. All these actions taken separately may appear unrelated but together form a crucial aspect of Ecuador’s foreign policy as one of the most ecologically biodiverse countries in the world.

More action and change will always be needed. Nevertheless, tourists and consumers have an important role to play in the protection of the Galapagos and other natural heritage sites. Initiatives that can be taken include the fostering of sustainable and ethical tourism to the islands, as well as ethical consumption of sustainable fishing products which do not harm the ecosystem beyond repair. In that regard, the promotion of environmental awareness and recognition of the Galapagos Islands as a Natural World Heritage Site for humanity is crucial. For as stated by in the preamble of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, “deterioration or disappearance of any item of the cultural or natural heritage constitutes a harmful impoverishment of the heritage of all the nations of the world”. Only together can these collective goals be reached.

It is for that reason that investment and availability of international financial resources for environmental conservation is extremely necessary. Conserving the Galapagos Islands is a critical goal which demands critical resources for research, technology, and alternatives to harmful activities. Only through well-funded initiatives can the desired effectiveness in terms of sustainability and environmentalism be reached.

The Government of Ecuador has, for instance, requested Oceans Finance Company (OFC) to assist by providing long-term, large-scale financing for the management of the existing and expanded reserves, the improvement of fisheries management at both artisanal and commercial levels, as well as the enhancement of the ecosystem to contribute to climate change adaptation. The economic structure is still under negotiation with several partners, financial institutions, and stakeholders but the basic concept is to create a fund for the protection and administration of the newly expanded marine reserve in Galapagos.

To summarise, and conclude, Ecuador is working diligently to preserve and take care of this magical natural heritage site for new generations to come. Nevertheless, these initiatives require collective action at a global level. It is for that reason, that Ecuador invites you to participate in the efforts to protect these unique islands.