The páramo grasslands of the Northern Andes are fragile ecosystems vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Continued deterioration of these high-elevation wetlands will lead to significant environmental and socioeconomic impacts for downstream water users. This WWF project will develop a pilot vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategy for the Chilí and Anaime páramos in the central Colombian Andes, where rice and coffee are grown and the city of Ibagué is located. These communities depend upon the water provided by these wetlands.

The overarching goal of this project is to support Colombia’s efforts to define and implement specific pilot adaptation measures and policy options to meet the anticipated impacts from climate change.

This project will: (1) enhance the capacity of the District of Bogota to identify and monitor risks by upgrading hydrologic, seismic, and volcanic detection and forecasting systems, as well as conducting vulnerability assessments that will help it better target its investments and identify potential calamities before they occur; (2) continue the city government’s existing risk reduction efforts to ensure the functioning of critical facilities and lifeline infrastructure in the event of adverse natural or technological catastrophes; (3) strengthen the District Administration’s effectiveness

The objective of this government project is to improve adaptability to sea level rise in two vulnerable points (Tumaco-Pacific coast and Cartagena-Caribbean coast) in the Colombian coastal areas.