Owing to their geographical location, insularity and biodiversity, the Canary Islands are particularly vulnerable to current and future effects of climate change on their natural, social and economic systems.

In recent decades, events related to climate change have been observed in the Canary Islands, such as changes to the frequency of cloudy days, the increase in the number of days on which air from the Sahara has reached the islands, the reduction of rainfall in November, more frequent heatwaves, higher sea and night-time temperatures, with consequences that affect tropical pests and diseases, jellyfish invasions and changing migration routes for marine species, etc.

As a result of its insularity, the autonomous community of the Canary Islands is at special risk since its economy is based mainly on tourism, which draws its attraction from the local coastal and mountain landscapes, climates, beaches and leisure options.

Accordingly, the efforts required to adapt to climate change on these islands must help reduce or eliminate adverse effects on the environment and society, as provided in the commitments included in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.