In May 2009, it was announced that the island of Fuerteventura became one of 22 new sites in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).

The International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC) voted for Fuerteventura, based on its focus on promoting sustainable ecotourism practices and also because the island's authorities committed to several wind-based and solar energy projects in order to increase its renewable energy capacity. The European Unions Directive on renewable energy continues to be fully embraced by the island and it is seen as example model of the way the Directive should be implemented.

The island has a varied mix of natural ecosystems that include coastal and marine environments that support a rich diversity of species including turtles and dolphins. Fuerteventura also has many desert areas, volcanic mountains and tropical forests.

The accolade was viewed as a positive boost to undertake stricter and additional conservation activities to ensure that the biodiversity of the island is maintained.

Other Canary Islands preceded Fuertevenuntura to become designated biosphere reserves: Gran Canaria in 2005, La Palma in 1983 and Lanzarote in 1993.