The Canary Islands are pursuing an exemption from the kerosene tax that currently applies within the EU, aiming for implementation by 2030. Ángel Víctor Torres, president of the Canary Government, announced during the European Commission’s extension for another seven years that the exemption, which previously expired in 2023, would stand as a special case for air routes linking the Peninsula with the Canary Islands. This announcement came on the first day of the Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions held in Martinique. While Torres framed the development as progress, he emphasized that more exemptions are needed to protect the tourism sector and prevent rising air and sea freight costs, stating that the move, though positive, is not enough.
The Regional Executive Director underscored that the exemption should last longer and apply to any country whose destination is the Canary Islands. This policy is seen as a significant boon for the tourism sector. It is also viewed as beneficial for both passenger and goods traffic, not merely for travel between the Canary Islands and the Peninsula.
The Tuesday inauguration occurred ahead of a working session on the Strategy for the Outermost Regions (RUP) involving leaders from the nine ORs, representatives from Spain, France, and Portugal, and with participation from the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms. Torres had planned meetings with the Spanish government EU Secretary and with the Portuguese Minister of State for European Affairs to discuss further steps.
The Commission had approved an exemption for air links between remote areas and their mainland, a measure Torres called important but insufficient. He urged extending this exemption to other EU countries and to all air and maritime links between islands to support both tourism and commerce.
Torres reaffirmed the commitment to a path toward zero emissions, in line with the 2030 Agenda. This plan targets a 56% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared with 2010. He highlighted the notable growth in renewable energy in the islands, noting that recent years have seen a surge in installed green power. He pointed out that in three years the Canary Islands produced more megawatts of green energy than in the eight years prior to this legislature, signaling a rapid transition toward sustainable energy.
During the discussion on the new Canary ORs strategy, Torres urged a stronger emphasis on decarbonisation. He noted that the issues go beyond kerosene taxes and fossil fuels, touching on the broader EU green agenda. The policies directly impact the region’s connectivity and shape key economic sectors, such as tourism and the flow of goods that sustain island life.
The head of the Canary Executive Board stressed the need for a sustainable approach aligned with EU mandates. He warned that heavy taxation of regions reliant on ships and aircraft could affect arrivals of tourists and the performance of regional economies. The tourism sector accounts for a substantial share of GDP in the Canary Islands, and the President called for applying Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU to operational decisions across the entire spectrum. He believed the EU would show sensitivity toward policies that acknowledge the singular circumstances of distant regions.
Strict commitment to decarbonisation
At yesterday’s session, leaders of the outermost regions endorsed a shared commitment to steer the decarbonisation process and to recycle energy systems through clean energy sources. This aligns with a new strategy paper from the European Commission focused on regional energy leadership. Torres highlighted the Canary Islands’ dedication to reducing carbon emissions, advancing the agenda for sustainable development, and expanding the use of renewable energy. In his address to fellow OR presidents, he also spoke about migration pressures on the Canary Islands and other remote border regions, urging the EU to recognize the unique circumstances of these areas and to manage migration with respect to their European border responsibilities. This is a situation that requires careful, region-specific responses and ongoing collaboration with neighboring continents.