"Biosphere reserves are important tools to ensure protection of natural and cultural heritage," defends Alonso Miguel - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change highlighted the Biosphere Reserves, classified by UNESCO, this Sunday on the island of Graciosa. They are important tools to ensure the protection of natural and cultural heritage as well as to promote the development of sustainable management models, "bringing together local governments and societies towards this goal."

Alonso Miguel spoke at the celebrations of the 15th anniversary of the Graciosa Biosphere Reserve when, simultaneously, the 15th anniversary of the Corvo Biosphere Reserve was also marked.

"Finding a balance between the responsibility to protect our natural and cultural heritage and the need to establish a path of progress and development, namely in humanised landscapes such as those that are characteristic of the four Biosphere Reserves of the Azores, is really a huge challenge. Its success strongly depends on the involvement of citizens, institutions and companies in the decision-making process, the development of environmental policies and the adoption of good practices," said the government official. 

The classification of Graciosa as a Biosphere Reserve and its integration into the UNESCO "Man and Biosphere" Programme took place in 2007. It "confirmed the fair recognition of the island as a territory and ecosystem of sustainability, valuing its identity, which derives not only from its unique natural heritage but also from its cultural heritage, from its traditions and from the experiences of its people," stressed the Regional Secretary.

The "Azores Biospheres" label, created in 2011, already has 22 members on Graciosa Island. As the government official noted, it "has enabled producers, companies, associations and other entities to be involved in the development of the island, through the promotion of local resources, products and services, boosting the economy and creating added value."

According to the government official, "the Action Plan of the Graciosa Island Biosphere Reserve, approved in 2020, is a fundamental tool for the growth and maturation of the island as a Biosphere Reserve, being a commitment to the community towards sustainable development."

"Graciosa has taken very important steps towards sustainability, namely with the development of exemplary and pioneering projects at the level of energy production from renewable sources, as is the case with the Graciólica Project. The latter is a reference in terms of good practices and energy sustainability for island contexts throughout the world," added Alonso Miguel.

"For example, the island's electricity system operated 100% from renewable energies for 144 days in 2021. As a result, it saved around 2 million litres of fossil fuel and avoided the emission of almost 6,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere," explained the Secretary for the Environment. 

Alonso Miguel highlighted the "extensive work" carried out in the Graciosa Island Biosphere Reserve over the last 15 years. This has been clearly evidenced by the recent signing of a Cooperation Protocol between the Regional Governments of the Azores and Madeira, within the scope of the Biosphere Reserves, proposed by Madeira, "as an acknowledgment of the success of the Azores in managing their Biosphere Reserves."