World Wildlife Fund

Baltra Fuel Handling Facility.

On January 16, 2001, the Ecuadorian tanker Jessica ran aground near San Cristobal Island, spilling approximately 180,000 gallons of oil and bunker fuel into the ocean. Thanks to the hard work of the Galápagos National Park Service, the Charles Darwin Research Station, and local volunteers, and to favorable weather conditions and sea currents, most of the spectacular coastal wildlife of the Galápagos escaped immediate damage. Some fish and marine invertebrates were killed, and a few dozen sea lions, brown pelicans, and Audubon shearwaters required treatment. However, the full extent of the damage is just now being realized. As recently reported, scientists fear that the spill was responsible for the death of more than 60 percent of marine iguanas at an oil-affected site in Santa Fe Island. Further ecological monitoring of sites and species will be needed to assess the true impact of the oil spill.

In light of these events, WWF scientists and their partners -- with technical assistance from Toyota -- created the Galapagos Energy Blueprint, a 10-year plan to transform high pollution energy systems now in use in the archipelago to sustainable renewable energy sources. Developed in conjunction with world-renowned experts, the blueprint is aimed at transforming all high pollution energy systems now in use in the archipelago to sustainable renewable energy sources and clean technologies. WWF has secured broad support for the blueprint from both local and national government agencies in Ecuador, and has convened an international private sector alliance to implement it.

"For WWF, the sharing of professional expertise by the private sector is just as valuable as financial support," said WWF Galapagos expert Lauren Spurrier. "This is a great example of a science-based partnership that will allow the Galapagos to serve as a model of renewable energy use in a biologically spectacular area."

To develop the blueprint, WWF would have needed to spend thousands of dollars on technical consultants. Luckily, Toyota stepped forward to provide technical and intellectual leadership throughout blueprint development, saving valuable financial resources and giving WWF access to leading experts in the field.

"Toyota has been extremely happy to commit both funding and the technical expertise to help preserve the Galapagos Islands in perpetuity," said Doug West, senior vice president of government and industry affairs. "For Toyota, this is absolutely a perfect fit."

Through this study, WWF and the Ecuadorian Government identified the fuel handling facility on Baltra islands as the greatest energy-related threat to the islands, and made addressing it our top priority. WWF worked with construction engineers from Toyota to develop a technical assessment and design for a new facility, and based on this study, the government allocated the required funds to implement the renovation. Construction was completed in December 2004, in line with the highest environmental standards.

"If the kind of energy transition spelled out in this blueprint can be achieved in the Galapagos, it will provide a pathway to similar changes elsewhere in the world on a larger scale," says Lauren. "The implications are tremendous. 

Currently, WWF is implementing an oil recycling project and a local campaign to educate and inform people about renewable energy. We are also planning a project to promote the conversion of high-polluting two-stroke engines to cleaner, more efficient four-stroke engines for use in the Galapagos Marine Reserve.Our energy work focuses on the establishment of a comprehensive recycling program which focuses on the collection of lubricants in the islands; an educational outreach which focuses on energy conservation and recycling; technical assistance on waste management, and an off-grid, renewable system on Floreana and Baltra island which would draw from renewable sources, wind and solar.