The Galápagos Living Lab for Energy Innovation is taking a post-Covid 19 look at how to develop strategies and opportunities to enhance the islands' self-sufficiency, reduce climate crisis impacts, and diversify sector dependency.
We spoke with Soledad Garcia-Ferrari (Professor of Global Urbanism and Resilience and Dean of Latin America) about the University's role in the Lab and her hopes for the future of research in Galápagos.
Q: Why Galápagos?
Basically, what we have in Galápagos are environmental and conservation issues caused by the 3% of the islands that is inhabited, and largely thanks to a tourist trade that at its peak saw 200,000 annual visitors to the islands. But that tourist model has become unsustainable both in terms of the environmental impact – just think of the strain on these small islands’ natural resources - and as the islands’ main source of economy. The effects of Covid-19 showed us how precarious it can be for a community to rely on one industry - diversification needed to happen.
Add to that the growing influence of climate change. Foreign species are being introduced on the hulls of boats bringing in imported produce; there is a constant danger of oil spills from boats used for transport, and food and water security for local people.
The islands can be seen as the world in miniature. All of our current issues, challenges and opportunities exist there so they are the perfect place to research and be innovative.
And they also have a special place in science due to their association with Darwin’s theory of evolution and the amazing diversity of wildlife. As a researcher, I have always felt an attraction to visit.
Q: What is the ‘Living Lab’?
The best way to explain this would be to tell you about the research centre that uses the term in its name. It’s the Galápagos Living Lab for Energy Innovation, and it’s a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and the British-Ecuadorian Chamber of Commerce.
It was back in the summer of 2018 that Lenin Moreno, President of Ecuador, visited Edinburgh and began discussions with the University about how to respond to the global climate emergency. One year later and Edinburgh had sent a reciprocal delegation, and this pathway to collaboration was laid. COP25 took place later that year where the islands announced their Fossil Fuel Initiative that aimed for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, leading Edinburgh’s researchers, along with the Charles Darwin Foundation, USFQ and the British-Ecuadorian Chamber of Commerce to pledge to achieve this goal.
This led to the creation of the Energy Innovation Living Lab in November 2021, which is now supporting the development of collaborative research projects through an inter-institutional seed funding programme with matching resources from all three partner institutions. You can think of it as an incubator for research - a place where knowledge exchange and policy development can take place, and with the perfect environment on its doorstep. That’s what a living lab is, a place where the right people and the right natural resources come together.
The Lab will empower local communities to adjust to a rapidly changing economic and cultural landscape, creating a resource and energy system that is appropriate and maintainable.
Q: Can you tell us about a recent project that has been funded?
One recently funded project that comes to mind is investigating sustainable development on Galápagos in terms of the interactions in the water, energy, and food nexus. Decarbonising energy often relies on renewable energy which can take up large amounts of land. This offers competition for land use with agriculture, while improving water access further increases energy demand, and Galápagos also has the additional competition of conservation of natural habitats. All of this needs to be explored and taken into account before any future developments are implemented.
The project is being led by Dr Andrew Lyden, Lecturer in Energy System Economics and Management at Edinburgh, and Juan Sebastian Proaño from USFQ, who is an Edinburgh graduate.
Q: What would you like to see achieved?
The Galápagos Islands rely on fossil fuel generators to produce electricity, while people are attracted to visiting the islands because of their pristine wildlife image. This contradiction needs to be changed.
In the next year, I would like to see renewable power generation start to displace fossil fuel generators on the island.
In the next five years I would like to see the development of a clear and realistic pathway to net zero, which accounts for both improved quality and access to water; and sustainable agriculture and food imports.
Q: Do you have a personal connection to the islands that helps with your work?
I’ve led research and partnerships in Latin America for a few years at the University of Edinburgh. I understand the region, the work and culture of academic and government institutions, as well as the importance of engaging with local-level activists and communities. The collaboration we’ve established with Ecuador, and in particular Galápagos, has been built over time. There’s a mutual trust - shared goals and shared agendas.
Q: Why is Edinburgh so well placed to carry out this work in such a far-off location?
Here at the University we have the expertise in de-carbonising energy systems using state-of-the-art energy system models. We can apply this expertise to any locations, and Galápagos needs the help to tackle their issues.
The role that the University of Edinburgh has played in the development of a strategy for reducing carbon emissions in Scotland, such as integrated energy systems in the Scottish Islands, is a fantastic example of our expertise and how we can collaborate with and help the Galápagos islands do the same.
Q: Could this research and the 'Living Lab' serve as an example that could be replicated in other countries or similar island groups?
Definitely. The research in Galápagos is contributing to a global reflection on island sustainability and we’re already reflecting on how our work can be applied to other island groups like Hawaii and French Polynesia.
For us as researchers, this ‘living laboratory’ is as important as it was to evolutionary researchers. Charles Darwin's observations of Galápagos finches led him to develop his theory of natural selection. I believe they hold the same significance to the world’s energy and environmental challenges.
Find out more on the Galápagos Living Lab for Energy Innovation website