The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands declared UNESCO World Heritage Site for being a unique “living museum and showcase of evolution”. Indeed, the extreme isolation of these islands led to the development of unusual animal life. This untouched environment beauty inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.

Today, the Galapagos Island will be known also because of its “green” airport. Galapagos airport is the only airport in the world that uses only solar and wind energy as sources of power.

“We’ve gone from being a place where there were military and aircraft to being an airport that is 100% ecological,” said Ezequiel Barrenechea, president of the Argentine corporation operating eco-friendly Seymour airport, one of three serving the Galapagos.

“Here, everything works with renewable energy”, adds the airport’s manager, Jorge Rosillo.

The environmental conversion started in 2011 and the efforts paid off: the new airport has been the first airport in the world to receive, as a complete construction, the prestigious “LEED Gold” certification, granted by the US Green Building Council to the best sustainable constructions in the world.

The combination of sustainable design, renewable energies, natural illumination and ventilation, efficient and rational use of water, sustainable materials and site recovery makes this airport a lesson (and inspiration) of green innovation.

Eliana Canavesio