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In Action 2014Our achievements

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Mary Lou HigginsDirectora Programa Subregional Amazonas Norte & Chocó - Darién WWF

© WWF-Colombia / Andrea Parra Jiménez

Little time remains for world leaders to adopt a universal and binding agreement that puts a stop to the Earth´s warming. Paris 2015 is the deadline, where the next Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Climate Change (COP 21) will be held. This will

be the most crucial moment for climate negotiations since Copenhagen. The summit took place this year in Lima, Peru where nearly 200 countries sat down to negotiate the foundations for the new climate agreement.

From the beginning, it was recognized that without a successful outcome in Lima, the road to Paris would be difficult; an agreement of such scope cannot be negotiated in such a short time. Unfortunately, the results of COP 20 in Lima were not as ambitious as the civil society expected nor as science demanded.

The outcomes did not include a strong decision to increase the actions that countries must put forth before 2020 to avoid dangerous climate change. This is problematic: according to the IPCC, the highest scientific authority on climate change that acts as advisor to the UN, to limit warming to no more than 2°C above preindustrial temperature, emissions must decrease radically and in this decade. We cannot postpone the adoption of a low carbon economy any longer. Science is screaming for actions to be taken now. The clock is ticking.

No fixed or strong rules were agreed upon with respect to the information countries must present next year, when they declare their intended nationally determined contributions for the post-2020 period. It was not established if countries had to present information only about mitigation –emissions reduction– or if they also had to include adaptation and finance in their announcements. In fact, countries were only invited to include these two elements. Yet, it is critical to have information on finance and adaptation since the developing countries are usually the most vulnerable and need technology transfer and financial cooperation in order to adapt to climate change.

Furthermore, according to the last report from the United Nations Development Program, a giant gap exists between the financial resources that have been set for adaptation (USD100 billion annually from 2020 onwards) and what will actually be needed to face the impacts of climate change. According to the report, the actual amount needed could be as much as four times higher. Yet, not even half of the first USD100 billion has been raised and there is no clarity on where these funds will come from. Another challenge left for Paris.

Nevertheless, Lima was not a defeat for multilateral negotiations. After two arduous weeks of negotiations, countries did agree on the foundation for the Paris Agreement. The world´s leaders are still in time to show they

The climate is changing, the clock is ticking

Editorial

are capable of facing climate change and securing a safe climate for future generations.

Latin American countries demonstrated examples of good will and ambition at Lima´s COP 20. Countries like Colombia, Peru and Mexico made pledges for the Green Climate Fund. Furthermore, 14 developing countries celebrated the Lima Challenge whereby the countries affirmed their willingness to increase their ambitions in the fight against deforestation and climate change and to quantify it, as long as they could work in partnership with developed countries and with financial assistance.

The climate is changing, the clock is ticking. All countries, according to their capacities, must take action to stop the Earth´s warming. Leaders have one year to negotiate a new binding and ambitious science-based climate agreement, with concrete goals and equity considerations, to prevent the irreversible consequences of climate change. They have one year to develop a roadmap to confront the challenges of climate change. The goal is Paris and the civil society will be there waiting.

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Inírida, a conservation star

FRESH WATER

On July 2014, the Colombian government, with the support of WWF, scored a historic goal for conservation: the designation of Inírida´s Fluvial Star as the country’s sixth Ramsar site. The declared area covers over 253,000 hectares and its immense biodiversity is what makes it so unique; over 900 plant species, 470 birds, 400 fish, 200 mammals and 40 amphibians can be found here. This new Ramsar site is a great achievement for conservation, which is amplified by the fact that the region where Inírida lies is being considered as the mining sector´s new development pole. The figure will guarantee that this natural capital is protected from high impact activities such as mining and it will propel a greener development model for the Orinoco region through ecotourism and conservation.

© Carlos Lasso

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Securing Water for the Future

FRESH WATER

During 2014, WWF worked hand in hand with two of Colombia´s largest companies on Water Stewardship. Bavaria is the number one beer producer in the country. WWF measured the water footprint for the company´s five top-selling beer brands and found that 80% of it is based on the production of the ingredients that go into beer. With the results at hand, Bavaria is committed to finding the means to reduce this part of their water footprint. WWF and Isagen, the third biggest energy producer in Colombia, analyzed the risks and impacts associated with water supply that are present in the territories where their hydroelectric facilities are located. The results of this analysis will help to prioritize watersheds and design action plans that pursue a sustainable use of water, hence securing water for the populations that depend on this critical resource within the selected watersheds.

© Pablo Corral / WWF-Canon

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Putting an ecological, sustainability lens to Orinoco´s future development WWF developed a map of Biodiverse Savannahs that was presented to decision makers and heads of the productive sector to guide the establish-ment of production systems in the Orinoco re-gion that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent the loss of biodiversity resulting from inadequate land use change. This mapping tool identifies the most important areas for conser-vation in Orinoco´s 18 million hectares, which represent 15.7% of Colombia´s continental terri-tory. This premise is that land use planning ac-tivities must include important conservation va-riables to achieve sustainability of the projected agricultural expansion of the Orinoco savanna-hs, and such are the variables this map presents in a clear and direct manner.

TERRITORIAL PLANNING

© Fernando Trujillo/ Fundación Omacha

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Timber business roundtable yields millions of dollars in negotiations in Panamaand Colombia

FORESTS

All expectations were exceeded during two timber business roundtables organized by WWF and partners in Bogota and Panama during 2014. In Colombia, 4.2 million dollars were negotiated and over half a million in Panama. This changes the way timber is traded and demonstrates that the market that looks for products that come from legal and sustainably managed forests is growing. This initiative seeks to end illegal logging and to turn the global timber market into a force that can preserve the most threatened and valuable forests in the world.

© Andrea Parra / WWF-Colombia

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GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

More effective management of mining impacts in the Pacific regionWWF initiated implementation of the project “Conservation of biodiversity in landscapes impacted by mining” with the aim of strengthening the capacities of communities in the Colombian Pacific to improve their ability to handle the impacts of mining activities. The project began in June and seeks to improve the sustainable management of territories in the Chocó Bio-geographical Región. Communities and authorities in the Pacific will work within the legal and policy framework of the mining sector to increase the protection of this unique territory. Tools that secure the conservation of eco-systems will be enhanced, such as management plans for Protected Areas, territorial planning mechanisms, and alternative livelihoods.

© elpueblo.com.co

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Tolima, the path to conservation flows through governanceWWF designed the components of the Department of Tolima´s System of Protected Areas and other conservation strategies with the active participation of civil society. For the first time, Tolima has tools and conservation strategies that have the input of the productive sector, universities, social organizations and property owners of the Network of the Civil Society´s Natural Reserves. This vast region is made up of diverse ecosystems that include high Andes wetlands (Páramos) and forests, extensive plains and an important network of streams and rivers that maintain the region´s economic activities. Although it wasn´t easy, this achievement will endure and the civil society will continue to contribute to the conservation of Tolima´s natural heritage thanks to the new regional system of Protected Areas.

© Pablo Corral / WWF-Canon

GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

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The National REDD+ Strategy is well on courseThe guidelines for a system of environmental and social safeguards that supports the national REDD+ strategy were completed this year by WWF, with the support of the German Agency for Cooperation (GIZ) and USAID´s Forest Carbon, Markets and Communities Program (FCMC). Safeguards make sure REDD+ projects work according to community rules. They are so fundamental that some community leaders have claimed that “they protect the right to life.” Although the guidelines were handed to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, who extended the invitation to carry out this task to WWF, the strengthening of local capacities is expected to continue. Communities must be able to grasp the safeguards and use them as game rules for REDD+ projects, for only if their rights are respected can this mechanism contribute to their sustainable development.

© David Lopez / WWF-Colombia

GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

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A space forpeaceful conservationFor the first time, peasant and farmer´s organi-zations from across Colombia and the National Natural Parks Agency have sat down to resolve the conflicts that arise due to land ownership in-side some of the country´s Protected Areas, thus helping to build scenarios for peace. WWF was invited by both parties to facilitate the dialogue, along with the German Agency for Cooperation (GIZ). Understanding different points of view was the basis for the installation of a Consul-tation Board where all parties can collectively build a policy to solve the issues surrounding land use and ownership in and around the Sys-tem of National Natural Parks. Another purpose of the Board will be to increase social governan-ce for conservation, equity and to come up with new alternatives that benefit communities.

© Juan Carlos Isaza, Fundación Natibo / WWF-Colombia

GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

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The Bay of Portete-Kaurrele, the 59th National Natural Park in ColombiaWe closed 2014 with great news: Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia, presided over the declaration of the country´s 59th National Park: Portete Bay-Kaurrele, which in Wayúu language means “the pearl of the Caribbean Sea.” Located in the North of the Guajira Peninsula, the new Protected Area covers 14.268 hectares that covers the bay that provides important fisheries resources for eight clans of the Wayúu ethnic group and is strategic for the maintenance of feeding habitats and the refuge and reproduction of marine turtles, crocodiles and aquatic birds. WWF and the Natural Parks Agency worked together to make this a reality. WWF provided support for the construction of the technical document and the process of prior informed consent with the Wayúu communities. This new park also contributes to the achievement of the goals set by the Convention on Biological Diversity, which foresee the conservation of at least 10% of marine-coastal ecosystems and 17% of terrestrial ecosystems by 2020.

OCEANS AND SEAS

© Julia Miranda / Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia

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A new hope forthe Hawksbill TurtleWhen many believed they were almost banished from the Pacific region of Colombia, a group of scientists found that the Utria National Park is home to the highest density of Hawksbill Turt-les yet identified in the Colombian Pacific. WWF, the Research Centre for Environmental Manage-ment and Development and the Eastern Pacific Network Initiative for Hawksbills, with the su-pport from the National Parks Agency conducted an expedition to find out more about the state of the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) since less than 500 reproductive females are es-timated to exist on the Pacific coast from Mexico to Peru. Having identified Utria National Park as a Hawksbill nursery has brought new hope for the recuperation of this species in all of the Eas-tern Pacific Ocean.

WILDLIFE

© WWF-Colombia / Diego Fernando Amorocho

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BIBO´s Bet

CLIMATE

“BIBO, a commitment for a better living”, a WWF and El Espectador campaign, successfully ended its version on climate change. Seven editorial specials were published in El Espectador, Colombia´s second highest impact newspaper, and an even number of BIBO chronicles that intended to raise awareness about the urgency of reducing our carbon footprint. Appealing contents such as the BIBO Magazine and eight collectible inserts were specially directed to the youngest generations in order to engage them in the “Generation of Change, Generation BIBO.” High level encounters like the one that took place in October: Colombia: the road to COP20 and the BIBO Recognition Prize, given to the organization with the most outstanding environmental practices placed the subject of climate change in the national agenda.

© El Espectador

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Colombia placed itselfon top of the City Challenge

CLIMATE

When it comes to innovation in sustainability, Medellin and Montería proved their leadership. These two Colombian cities stood out in the Earth Hour City Challenge. Montería was chosen as the National Capital of Earth Hour and Medellin was the most voted city in the world, which granted it the award of the We Love Cities campaign. With more than half of the world´s population living in cities, which generate over 70% of global CO2 emissions, the solutions to the obstacles of sustainability these two cities have come up with in their urban development plans will provide great help to other cities in the planet who face the task of overcoming their dependency on fossil fuels and moving to a sustainable future based on renewable sources of energy and low carbon development.

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Tribute to Jaime LevyEPILOGUE

There are those that bring a light so bright to the world that even after they have departed, the light shines on.

In the early hours of December 6th, on the road to Chical, in Northern Ecuador, we lost Jaime Levy in an automobile accident; he was a terrific colleague and friend, passionate about conservation and the well-being of local communities.

The work developed by Jaime for more than 25 years lends testimony to his conviction and commitment to people and the environment. This was especially clear in his work with local communities, who trusted him implicitly and valued his support. His important contributions are reflected in the glimmer of the smiles and eyes of 100´s, perhaps 1000´s of faces.

I first met Jaime many years ago. I had just started to work with WWF. It was one of my first trips to the Awá Territory and neighbouring Afro-descendent community of El Pan in north western Ecuador, a very typical trip with Jaime, long and tiring, but rich in conversation and the spectacular landscapes that accompanied us from Quito to San Lorenzo. We travelled for 15-16 hours from the mighty Andes to the exuberant forests of the Pacific Chocó.

Upon arrival, Jaime, in his traditional t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops, respectfully explained the reason for our visit, an easy communication translated to AwaPit. I was witness to the important advances made with the communities to protect and conserve their traditional lands through the titling and delimitation process including a ¨manga,¨ a green fence that surrounds the 103,000 hectares. Jaime´s farm and that of some friends in Chical served as a nursery for the trees planted to mark the limit of the territory.

This visit was the preamble of many years of work together with Jaime and his team in the Colombian-Ecuadorian piedmont. The roads travelled and times shared for nearly 25 years together with Jaime and the WWF team were

always an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn and dream, identify shared goals and work together for the conservation of this unique and marvellous ecoregion, the Chocó-Darién, and the peoples that call it home.

Many of these times were also shared at home with Jaime´s lovely family, his wife and partner and their four children, Santiago, Elisa, Eddy y Mireya. His family, his children, are his other great contribution, today professionals who continue the commitment and conviction to social and environmental causes instilled by their parents. We are thinking of them and Alicia with warm care and affection.

Jaime contributed to territorial security, sustainable management of natural resources and above all the recognition and respect for traditional cultures of the regions and communities to which he dedicated so much energy and love. We conserve in him the memory of a profoundly committed and generous person both intellectually and materially, an overwhelmingly modest and unassuming person as often is the case of those greatest transformers of realities.

We close 2014 with the heavy weight of sadness in our heart for the loss of Jaime. But our greatest tribute will be to continue with enthusiasm the bi-national processes in the Chocó, the region where Jaime left an indelible mark that will last through the people and organizations of the regions. These are processes to which Jaime committed his heart, intelligence and vitality. Particularly, we will continue to support the Awá bi-national process and the Chiles Matajé Corridor towards the creation of a conservation area of the approximately 1 million hectares of the slopes of the western Andes of Colombia and Ecuador.

There are few people of this human and professional calibre. Little by little, the memories will help to ease the pain and we will celebrate the life of an extraordinary person. Jaime, we will miss you and keep you in our heart.

Mary Lou Higgins

© Cortesía fundación altrópico

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Thank youWWF thanks its partners, allies and funders, the civil society, communities, media, government offices and the productive sector, for the permanent support and the joint work carried out during this year. Without your help we could not be presenting to you our proudest achievements.

¡We hope to strengthen our bonds in 2015 so we can keep building a Living Planet!

© Diego M. Garces / WWF-Canon

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