Today the Green Climate Fund (GCF) approved US $ 28 million to support Colombia in its efforts to fight deforestation in 10 districts of the Amazon biome. The project will be implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.

By utilising funds received through the results based payments scheme, the project will help boost Colombia's Comprehensive Strategy to Control Deforestation and Forest Management (ENREDD +), foster green economic growth and enhance the sustainable and inclusive governance of natural resources.

"This approval is a recognition of Colombia's effort in the fight against deforestation as a State policy, which shows a decreasing trend also in 2019 with a 19% drop compared to the 2018 figures," said Ricardo Lozano, Minister of the Environment of Colombia.

The GCF resources will be invested mainly (40%) in actions that actively involve indigenous peoples in the planning and implementation of national mechanisms to support a transition towards a sustainable and forest-positive economy.

According to the Government of Colombia, the project is an integral part of the country's Peace process, as it will strengthen the governance of indigenous and local communities and will help reduce deforestation through profound social and economic transformations.

A boost to sustainable and inclusive natural resource management in Colombia

Community forest management promoted through the GCF contributions will be implemented by rural and indigenous communities, and will include activities for the management, use and conservation of forests and their timber and non-timber forest products.

Recognizing the direct relationship between the conservation and the sustainability of agricultural practices, the project interventions will focus on improving productivity and profitability of crops and pastures, reducing the demand for additional forest areas. By promoting more sustainable production systems, appropriate to the Amazon ecosystem and soils, the project will benefit more than 2,000 Colombian families.

The activities will be aligned with Colombia’s goal to promote local economies based on the natural wealth of the Amazon region, where technical and traditional knowledge converge, using an ethnic, generational and gender focus as pillars for its long-term sustainability.

With the approved funds, Colombia will also strengthen its National Forest Monitoring System, as well as the capacities of the Regional Environmental Authorities, which will increase their forest control capabilities and strengthen the Community Forest Units.

This will help stop the expansion of the agricultural frontier and develop a sustainable forest economy, which not only reduces deforestation, but also improves the livelihoods of local communities.

Indigenous communities and community management

The new project will have a strong focus on the active participation and leadership of indigenous peoples' organizations in actions leading to the conservation and sustainable management of forests. Colombia’a Amazon communities will be actively involved in the prioritization of resources through their decision-making body, the Amazon Regional Board. By planning and implementing the activities on 60,000 hectares of forest, indigenous communities will strengthen their capacity not only for decision-making within their territories, but also within the region. 

“FAO has been working hand in hand with the Ministry of the Environment and the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) on the implementation of Colombia’s Comprehensive Strategy to Control Deforestation and Forest Management (ENREDD+), on issues related to forest monitoring and community forest management, and we hope help consolidate these efforts through the implementation of the project”, said Alan Bojanic, FAO Representative in Colombia.

A recognition of results

The financing was approved by the GCF through the  results-based payments scheme for Colombia’s result in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, plus the sustainable management of forests, and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+).

Colombia has successfully halted 31 million tons of CO2 emissions. The reported results were achieved under the REDD+ activities that took place in the Amazon biome during 2015 and 2016.

This important accomplishment was achieved through the implementation of a series of actions, framed in the Amazon Vision and Heart of the Amazon Programs, which received support from various donors  and programmes, including  the REDD Early Movers Program (REM) and the Joint Statement of Intent. The UN-REDD Programme, with FAO as key partner, provided technical assistance to support Colombia’s efforts in REDD+.  

The results based payment funds will be invested in activities that will be aligned with the National Development Plan of Colombia as well as the Amazon Vision program, an initiative of the national government that seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation in the Colombian Amazon, through a sustainable development model.

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