Recently unveiled at the Sala Baleària in Formentera’s port, ‘Living Formentera: The Coolest Islands Invest in Biodiversity’ sets out to position the island as a global benchmark in sustainable tourism.
The project is led by ferry operator Baleària and environmental NGO Nature & People Foundation, with support from the Balearic and Formentera governments.
It aims to do so by at least 1ºC — and up to 3ºC in more developed areas that experience higher temperatures due to human activity.
The initiative brings together key stakeholders, including the Government of the Balearic Islands, the Council of Formentera, and leading business and environmental organisations.
With Formentera's urban tree cover currently below 10%, the project responds to an urgent need to reverse biodiversity loss and mitigate the effects of climate change — notably what is known as the “urban heat island effect.”
The project’s aim is to increase the island’s green coverage by 22% over 20 years through the planting of 475,000 native trees and 1,000 hectares of vegetation.
The latter will include traditional crops such as fig, almond, carob, olive and vine, as well as species like sabina, jacaranda and chinaberry.
At present, Formentera retains just 42% of its original vegetation, and its ability to cool down is significantly lower than that of Mallorca, Menorca or Ibiza.
As Óscar Portas, President of the Council of Formentera, put it, "Living Formentera is about multiplying green spaces, boosting quality of life, and restoring ecological balance."
A key innovation in the project is its financing model: the use of Urban Biodiversity Credits (UBCs) based on the Urban Biodiversity Standard (UBS) developed by Nature & People Foundation.
These credits will enable public-private collaboration and create a system for reinvesting in environmental assets. Formentera will be the first island in the Balearics to pilot this model.
The expected environmental returns are promising: initial analysis suggests that a €20 million investment in vegetation could yield up to €90 million annually in ecosystem benefits once it reaches maturity — a return of over €50 for every euro invested.
The initiative is coordinated by EverTree, with technical support from Agforest (AI-powered satellite mapping), Mishcon de Reya, IbizaPreservation. Funding is provided by Fundació Baleària and the Conservation Collective.
Living Formentera is a model of how small islands can lead the way in climate resilience and sustainable tourism by investing in nature and local culture.
