Scaling the “Island Model”
Advancing global energy security and resilience from the climate frontline
The GTI Observatory Summit is a strategic gathering dedicated to advancing the pivotal role of small islands as laboratories for global sustainability. The event unites the leading Committees of the GTI Observatory including island authorities and communities, international institutions, industry leaders and solution providers, to feed insights and innovative approaches into a consolidated framework for scaling up progress on islands worldwide.
The Summit, which will precede and inform the 10th GTI International Conference in Gozo, Malta, aims to further amplify the transformative “island model”, consolidating the concept, requirements, and criteria for unlocking energy security and climate resilience through renewable energy. This approach underscores how the energy transition acts as the essential driver of a truly sustainable island model, creating transversal impact across all sectors, from water and waste to mobility, agriculture, and tourism.
WHAT IS THE ISLAND MODEL?
The island model represents a new, balanced way of living that integrates development and innovation with nature governance in the face of the growing threats posed by climate change and isolation. At its core is renewable energy: leveraging their unique features and abundant natural resources for a transition to 100% renewable energy, islands can achieve energy security and self-sufficiency. Islands worldwide are showcasing how this is synergic with protecting biodiversity and promoting socio-economic development.
OBJECTIVES
Advance the Island Model
Harnessing collective intelligence and diverse perspectives to enhance integrated island sustainability, by exploring the links between energy, water, and food security, climate resilience, and socio-economic development.
Deliver Actionable Outcomes
Strategize for Global Impact
Planning effective dissemination of the outcomes and advocacy at COP30, positioning the “island model” as one of the key solutions and contributors to global sustainable transitions.
Greening the Islands has established the GTI Observatory as a leading think tank fostering analysis, knowledge sharing and multistakeholder cooperation for the sustainable transition of islands globally. The GTI Observatory unites global leaders from around the world to empower all small islands, beyond geographical and political boundaries, as pioneering laboratories paving the way for the global transition.
As recognised at SIDS4 and COP29, accelerating the energy transition is a critical priority for small islands, which face existential threats from worsening climate change impacts such as rising temperatures, more frequent natural disasters, and flooding due to rising sea levels.
Building upon the success of the Gran Canaria 2023 and Curaçao 2024 Summits, the next GTI Observatory Summit will convene in Gozo, Malta, an EU island member state at the heart of the Mediterranean, uniquely positioned at the crossroads of diverse cultures and influences, actively pursuing its sustainable future. The last two Summits were instrumental in shaping the blueprint of an island model of integrated sustainability with circular and blue economy powered by renewable energy.
The Gran Canaria Manifesto, joint outcome document of the 2023 event, proposed a strategic energy transition agenda identifying key priorities for islands with an integrated approach. The event in Curaçao in 2024 advanced the 100% RES Islands Initiative towards a structured global framework to unite stakeholders, attract higher private investment and scale up progress worldwide.
