Country Snapshot: Colombia

On 7 September 2015 the Republic of Colombia submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC).

Colombia has made a unilateral and unconditional target to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% with respect to the projected Business-as-Usual Scenario (BAU) by 2030. Additionally, subject to the provision of international support, Colombia could increase its commitment to reduce GHG emissions by 30% with respect to BAU by 2030.

Despite Colombia’s GHG emissions representing a small percentage of global emissions (0.46% in 2010) it is engaged in the global debate and committed to preventing climate change. Based on the outcome of the climate negotiations in Paris at COP 21, Colombia will consider communicating an indicative target for 2025, consistent with its 2030 target.

The Colombian INDC states that,

‘Colombia’s INDC is realistic, ambitious and equitable. It is based on national progress to date, takes into account national capacities and circumstances, and seeks to contribute to the objective of Article 2 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).’

The full text of an English translation of Colombia’s INDC submission can be accessed here.

Colombia currently has a heavy reliance on hydropower which has caused issues. Its reliance on hydropower has meant that Colombia has been affected by climate change more than most. Climate change has taken its toll with excessive rainfall causing flooding, and drought causing a breakdown in electricity supply. The total cost of a weather phenomenon that plagued the country in 2010 -2011 was estimated at US$ 6.2 billion. The effects of climate change on Colombia have prompted the government to introduce various policies and initiatives intended to reduce risk and socio-economic impacts associated with variability and climate change.

The National Adaptation Plan to Climate Change (PNACC in Spanish) was created to ‘support the efforts to define and implement specific pilot adaptation measures and policy options to meet anticipated impacts of climate change focusing on high mountain ecosystems, insular areas and on human health concerns related to the expansion of areas and vectors linked to malaria and dengue’.

Colombian Low-Carbon Development Strategy (CLCDS) recognises that although Colombia’s carbon emissions are low relative to developed countries, they will grow significantly if no mitigation occurs, considering the projected economic growth. The strategy states that Colombia should take advantage of international financial incentives to promote low carbon growth and prepare the economy for a ‘future carbon conscious global economy’.

Colombia has approved the National Development Plan (PND) for four years from 2014 to 2018. The PND includes an entire chapter on Green Growth which highlights the increased focus placed on this area of environmental protection. Regarding a specific area of green growth, Colombia has an extensive portfolio of forestry projects within the UN-REDD programme, bearing in mind that Colombia is one of 60 partner countries of the programme.

Colombia has developed a power sector that relies heavily on installed, large capacity hydropower units which provide cost-effective electricity. In 2008 hydropower accounted for 67 percent of Colombia’s energy supply. Due to the geographical nature of Colombia, the total hydropower source in Colombia remains largely untapped and it is estimated that the hydropower potential could generate sufficient power to meet the national demand 7 times over.

Additionally, the country has significant wind and solar resources that remain largely unexploited. According to the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), Colombia has an average wind power potential of between 18-21 GW in the north region alone, enough to meet the national power demand twice over.

The Guajira peninsula in the north east of Colombia is the home of the Jepirachi wind farm. The farm is home to 15 Nordex N60 wind turbines which generate 19.5 MW. The location is ideal from a climatalogical point of view. At a height of 50 meters the average wind speed is around 10 m/s. The Jepirachi wind farm highlights the potential that Colombia has for wind based generation at a commercial level, however, the 19.5MW provided by Jepirachi is a small percentage of Colombia’s potential.

Colombia has great potential to produce solar energy due to the high levels of radiation generated across the country. According to the Solar Radiation Atlas, Colombia produces something near to 2100 Kwh/m2 of solar radiation every year in the northern region of the country. However, there are other zones in the national territory where solar energy can be generated. The western, southern and central regions of Colombia have the potential to produce between 1450 to 2000 kwh/m2 of solar radiation every year. These numbers are promising if we take into account that 2500 kHz/m2 is the maximum potential worldwide.

To fulfil its mitigation goal, Colombia has prioritized mitigation measures through eight Sectorial Mitigation Action Plans (SMAPs) that aim to maximise the carbon-efficiency of economic activities at the national and sectorial levels and in turn contribute to social and economic development. These plans were developed under the CLCDS framework and were approved by the relevant sectorial Ministries (Agriculture and Rural Development, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Transport, Housing, City and Territory and Mines and Energy).

Colombia states in its INDC that,

‘it is recognised that financial resources are limited, which is why there is need to increase the resources for financing adaptation and mitigation’

A case study produced by the Centre for Clean Air Policy in 2012 set out key elements of Colombia’s climate change process and mitigation tools. According to the report, a major pillar of Colombia policy is the active government promotion and management of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects. In order to attract investments from abroad, the government is intimately involved with activities such as vetting potential CDM projects, advertising opportunities to developers, and coordinating project solicitations to minimize overlap and reduce risk. This government support has led to 38 registered CDM projects, the 11th most worldwide.

Additionally, the report states that ‘Colombia has worked to ensure the efficient and appropriate use of donor funds for climate actions. The government understands the importance of maintaining investor confidence and handles international contributions with considerable transparency and accountability. Clear deadlines, guaranteed deliverables, and strong coordination of donor funds have given Colombia an international reputation as a high-quality investment opportunity. This effort has enabled Colombia to attract the support of over a dozen international contributors including national governments, non-profit organizations, and international organizations.’