Context:
Colombia is a mega-biodiverse country with the greatest diversity of species in the world. The Amazon region and the Orinoquia savannah in particular are of global importance for biodiversity and climate protection.
Although more than half the country is covered by forests, the high rate of deforestation is increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Around 188,000 hectares of forest were destroyed in 2023, especially in the conflict regions of Meta, Caquetá and Guaviare. Large-scale cattle farming at the edge of the rainforest is stressing soils and endangering local biodiversity as well. Economic incentives and the knowledge required to use land ecologically and efficiently are often lacking.
Objective:
Selected value chains that contribute to biodiversity conservation in agricultural and forestry operations within ecological corridors in Colombia’s Amazon and Orinoquía regions have been strengthened.
Approach:
The project operates in four key areas:
1. It promotes the exchange between stakeholders in order to improve enabling conditions for biodiversity-conserving value chains in selected ecological corridors,
2. It advises and trains companies on how to implement biodiversity-friendly supply chains,
3. It strengthens the technical and business skills of producers for developing sustainable business models that support biodiversity conservation,
4. It promotes knowledge exchange on the restoration of degraded ecosystems.
Selected value chains that contribute to biodiversity conservation in agricultural and forestry operations within ecological corridors in Colombia’s Amazon and Orinoquía regions have been strengthened.