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Colombia has positioned forests as a central pillar of its climate strategy. This commitment is reflected in key policy instruments such as the National Strategy for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (ENREDD+), the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Climate Action Law, and the national reports submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Achieving these ambitious targets requires not only robust policy frameworks but also the capacity to translate national commitments into coordinated action on the ground.
In this context, the UN-REDD Programme has played a strategic role in strengthening Colombia’s efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while promoting sustainable forest management and reinforcing forest governance. Through sustained technical assistance, the programme has helped consolidate a platform for institutional coordination, resource mobilization, and the development of innovative initiatives aligned with the country’s climate commitments.
Catalyzing strategic investments for forest conservation
One of the programme’s most significant contributions has been supporting the formulation of large-scale initiatives aimed at strengthening forest-based climate action. A key example is the support provided for the formulation of the “GCF-Visión Amazonía” project, financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through the Results-Based Payments window. This initiative represents one of the most ambitious efforts to reduce deforestation in the Colombian Amazon while promoting sustainable development opportunities for local communities.
Beyond this flagship project, UN-REDD technical assistance has also supported complementary initiatives that strengthen forest governance and promote transitions toward sustainable land use. Among these is the Community Forestry initiative implemented through agreements with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (2018–2024), which promotes sustainable forest management models capable of generating local livelihoods while conserving forest ecosystems.
Leveraging partnerships and new resources
Another important outcome of the programme’s engagement has been its capacity to mobilize and align new sources of international cooperation that reinforce Colombia’s national forest and climate agenda.
Building on the platform created through UN-REDD support, Colombia has engaged in new initiatives such as AIM4Forests and AIM4Commodities, which aim to strengthen forest monitoring systems, promote sustainable supply chains, and advance deforestation-free production.
Additional initiatives have also emerged through bilateral cooperation, such as the pepper value chain project supported by the Government of Korea, which promotes sustainable production systems linked to forest conservation and improved rural livelihoods in the department of Putumayo.
Strengthening the implementation of climate commitments
By facilitating dialogue among institutions, supporting the design of strategic initiatives, and strengthening national forest monitoring systems, the programme has helped translate policy commitments into concrete actions. This integrated approach is particularly relevant in a country like Colombia, where addressing deforestation requires coordinated efforts among national institutions, regional authorities, local communities, and international partners.
As Colombia advances in the implementation of its commitments under the Paris Agreement, this experience demonstrates how the Programme’s role in strengthening coordination and sustained technical cooperation can help countries move from strategy to action, while building strong partnerships to protect forests and promote sustainable development.
Originally published on un-redd.org