The Colombia–UK PACT programme has today announced the selection of four new innovative projects to support Colombia’s transition to a greener and more resilient future. These projects will support Colombia’s climate action priorities, with a focus on implementing and promoting nature-based solutions to climate change.
In addition, Colombia-UK PACT has announced that it is extending 15 projects from its current portfolio for a further 12 months. Together with the new projects, this expanded portfolio will continue to deliver real-world climate action across priority areas, building on the successes of previous phases, which include:- Supporting the design and launch of the National Green Taxonomy and providing the first comprehensive framework for financial institutions and corporations to move towards greener investment and assets
- Accelerating sustainable mobility, by creating the first national network for fleet renewal of road freight transport and low emissions freight transportation
- Supporting sustainable livelihoods and nature-based solutions, by building one of the first networks of climate-smart farmers in the country.
What new projects is Colombia-UK PACT funding?
- Nature-based resilient cities: led by ICLEI, this project will support the implementation of the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development’s “Biodiverciudades” (“Biodivercities”) initiative. It will select and promote key nature-based investments in cities that maximise human well-being and ecosystem conservation, while also building a national network for nature-based resilient cities.
- Empowerment for non-timber forest products value chain actors in the Colombian Amazon region: the SINCHI Institute has partnered with the cosmetic company NATURA to support associations of producers of non-timber forest products in the Amazon region to accelerate their bio-businesses and support their integration into the value chain.
- Reincorporating ex-combatants by documenting and protecting biodiversity through ecotourism: led by the University of Sydney, this project will empower ex-combatants in Colombia’s post-conflict areas with skills and knowledge to document, monitor and protect Colombian biodiversity and promote sustainable agriculture, environmental restoration, and green bioeconomy initiatives.
- Building a nature-positive beef market at the retail level in Colombia: led by WWF UK and WWF Colombia, this project, working with a major retailer, will promote sustainable livestock systems, restoration and conservation strategies in the domestic beef market, helping improve livelihoods while reducing deforestation.
Welcoming the news, British Ambassador to Colombia, Colin Martin-Reynolds CMG, said:“We celebrate the 19 projects that make up the new portfolio of the UK PACT programme. On this occasion, the UK investment amounts to £7.8 million. The projects will be focused on the sectors of energy, green finance, sustainable livelihoods, climate policy, sustainable mobility and nature-based solutions, and respond to the priorities of Colombia. This portfolio will support the implementation of Colombia's climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.” |
Meanwhile, in their new 2022-2023 phase, the 15 extended projects will build on the results achieved in 2021-22, working to ensure uptake of delivered support with beneficiaries and communities and helping to unlock additional public and private finance. They will also continue to address Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) by implementing approaches and activities to empower women and other marginalised groups in several regions of Colombia, including the Amazon.
This expanded portfolio builds on the UK and Colombia’s long history of climate collaboration. Through the Partnership for Sustainable Growth, both countries have committed to work together in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, a commitment reiterated by both countries at COP26 in Glasgow with ambitious new commitments. These new and extended UK PACT projects are among the transformational tools that are helping to turn these words into actions.
Read more about the portfolio on the Colombia-UK PACT web page or in our Projects page. For an overview of UK PACT’s breadth of work in Colombia, watch our video. Find out more about the Partnership for Sustainable Growth.
Notes to editors
Lead organisations and partners implementing the four new projects:
| Lead organisation | Consortia partners | Sector |
| ICLEI (Colombia) | ICLEI SAMS (Brazil), World Resources Institute WRI (Mexico) and Humboldt Institute | Nature-based solutions |
| Instituto SINCHI (Colombia) | NATURA Cosméticos LTDA (Colombia) | Nature-based solutions |
| University of Sydney | N/A | Nature-based solutions |
| WWF (UK) and WWF (Colombia) | Grupo Éxito | Nature-based solutions |
Read about the 15 projects in the Colombia-UK PACT portfolio being extended:
| Implementing partner | Consortium partners | What is the project about? |
| Arup (Colombia) |
N/A |
Planning green infrastructure: pre-feasibility study and capacity building for the City-Region Bike Network for the municipalities of Cali, Jamundi, Candelaria, Yumbo, and Palmira |
|
Carbon Trust |
The Imperial College London |
Developing Colombia’s smart grid market as a key instrument to improve energy efficiency, energy auto-generation and sustainable supply options |
|
Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) |
Metrix Finanzas |
Supporting the Colombian taxonomy implementation, which will provide clarity to the financial market on what activities are green |
|
Fedesarrollo |
The New York University |
Providing a first analysis of territorial planning in Colombia, identifying improvements for land use from a sustainability perspective |
|
Fundación Alisos |
Rainforest Alliance Wildlife Conservation Society |
Strengthening forest and landscape restoration and promoting sustainable livelihoods in post-conflict regions in the Colombian Amazon |
|
Fundación para el progreso de la región Bogotá |
GSD Plus |
Helping to create a sustainable, efficient and multimodal public transport system for Bogota and 12 municipalities |
|
Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) |
N/A |
Advancing Colombia’s energy transition and helping provide sustainable and affordable energy solutions to vulnerable and isolated rural communities and households |
|
Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) |
N/A |
Working with the National Department of Planning to help improve the implementation of Colombia’s national policy for green growth and development of new bioeconomy businesses |
|
Grupo E3 |
Acorn Tourism Consulting |
Leveraging the potential of community-based ecotourism in biodiversity hotspots as a means to sustain rural livelihoods and reduce deforestation |
|
Los Viajes del Boga (Awake) |
N/A |
Reducing deforestation in the Amazon, Orinoquia and Pacific regions by strengthening nature tourism and increasing ambition for forest conservation |
|
Organization for Environmental Education and Protection (OpEPA) |
The Climate Reality Project |
Developing a long-term vision for low-carbon energy and transport at the subnational level. |
|
RARE |
The Nature Conservancy |
Improving the uptake of climate-smart agricultural practices that promote the protection of soil, water and biodiversity |
|
Transforma |
Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) |
Promoting the inclusion of climate change risks into investment decisions by institutional investors, including pension and private funds, insurance companies, and banks |
|
Universidad de los Andes |
Willis Tower Watson (Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) |
Combining applied research and training to improve knowledge, expertise and readiness on climate transition risks |
|
Universidad de los Andes Bogotá |
Cardiff University |
Working in collaboration with key transport beneficiaries to help decarbonise Colombia’s road freight sector |
About the UK PACT programme
- Since its launch in 2018, UK PACT has funded 34 projects worth approximately £21m in Colombia. The 2022 portfolio will build on the earlier achievements of these low-carbon solutions and on the previous success of Colombia–UK PACT projects.
