Sustainability on Mallorca - a key issue: new data shows where the island stands in terms of environmental protection and what developments are taking place.
Mallorca is a paradise - with impressive nature and a flourishing tourism industry. But how is it possible to reconcile the two? The Mallorca Preservation Foundation has presented its first environmental report. It takes stock and shows where the island stands in terms of sustainability. The figures make it clear: there has been progress, but there are also challenges. More organic farming, more renewable energies - but also growing traffic and increasing tourism. The new observatory for environmental sustainability collects data, analyzes trends and aims to provide an objective basis for sustainable decisions. The project is financed by the Mediterranean Fund of Banca March.
A step towards a sustainable future
The observatory sees itself as a source of information and inspiration. "Sustainability is no longer an option, but a necessity," says Ana Riera, Managing Director of the foundation. While progress has already been made in some areas, there are still urgent challenges. "We need objective data to make better decisions - for the economy, society and nature," Riera continues.
Where does Mallorca stand? The most important findings
Population pressure - growth with challenges
- In 2023, an average of 1,167,819 people lived on the island - an increase of 1.48 %.
- The number of inhabitants rose to 940,332.
- In August, Mallorca reached its peak with 1,469,921 people.
- 12,477,496 tourists came last year - that corresponds to 1,327 tourists per 100 inhabitants.
Transport - Mobility in transition
- The number of cars on the island rose by 13.62 % in ten years, motorcycles by as much as 62.79 %.
- Thanks to discounts, 16.9 % more people use public transport.
- In 2023, Mallorca recorded the highest number of ship arrivals since records began.
Temperature rise - noticeable climate change
- July 2023 was more than 2°C warmer than the long-term average.
Agriculture - Organic farming on the rise
- The organically farmed area has grown by 12.29 % and now covers 37,762 hectares.
- 21.6 % of agricultural land is now certified organic.
Renewable energies - expansion necessary
- 12.06 % of Mallorcan electricity came from renewable sources in 2023 - a growth of 20.6 %.
- 53 % of the energy imported from mainland Spain was renewable.
Cruise tourism - growth with prospects
- 1,109,982 passengers arrived by cruise ship (+54.22 % compared to 2022).
- Despite the increase, the figure remained 10.26 % below the pre-pandemic level of 2019.
- Most cruise ships docked in May (52) and October (55).
Waste management - progress in recycling
- 146,153 tons of waste were recycled, including a lot of ecological rock waste.
- The proportion of organic compost is increasing - a sign of greater environmental awareness.
Protected land area - more space for nature
- 22.57 % of the island are protected.
- The Llevant Peninsula Nature Park has been declared the largest nature park in Mallorca.
Marine conservation - Posidonia meadows in view
- The number of Posidonia protection boats has risen from 3 (2017) to 6 (2023).
- 9 % of the boats inspected had to re-anchor to protect seagrass beds.
Sustainable development - a joint task
The environmental report shows: Mallorca has already taken important steps towards sustainability. At the same time, there are challenges that require sustainable growth. The data collected should help to guide future decisions in a targeted manner in order to keep nature, the population and the economy in harmony.
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