The National Strategy (NS) aims to promote the implementation and advancement of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM Americas) in Colombia. It is dedicated to driving progress in local climate action. Its goal is to support municipal governments in implementing climate actions and defining key objectives to address local realities. Its main lines of action are developing climate planning instruments, financing, training, providing technical support to Amazonian cities, and visibility.
The Asocapitales (Colombian Association of Capital Cities), FCM (Colombian Federation of Municipalities), and ICLEI-Colombia (ICLEI) serve as the National Coordinators of the GCoM, supporting the implementation of its agenda in Colombia. Additionally, these activities of the Global Covenant of Mayors were developed together with the National Consultative Committee of the GCoM, composed of institutions representing different spheres of government and international institutions, and financed by the European Union.
Develop the technical capacity of member municipalities of the Global Covenant of Mayors in Colombia.
Provide training and capacity building on local climate planning.
Increase the influence, visibility, and awareness of the Global Covenant of Mayors in Colombia.
Assist Amazonian cities in addressing climate and energy challenges.
* Cities belonging to the Functional Territorial Region of Climate Change (RFTCC, in Spanish) in the department of Boyacá, Colombia.
Since Colombia’s first commitment to the GCoM until now, in 2024, 43 cities have earned a total of 80 badges for their climate advancements. Among them, 26 are for mitigation, 45 for adaptation, and 5 for full compliance with the GCoM’s requirements. These five compliant cities stand out for their effort, commitment, and climate ambition: Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena de Indias, Envigado, and La Estrella (more information about the badges here).
Additionally, the city of Tópaga represents Colombia in the GCoM’s Mayors’ Forum of Latin America.
Furthermore, in 2023, Cartagena de Indias was selected as one of the 15 Latin American Flagship Cities recognized by the GCoM for their leadership in the subnational climate movement.
Ten cities have received specific support within Colombia’s National Strategy: Beteitiva, Busbanza, Corrales, Florencia, Floresta, Gámeza, Mongua, Monguí, Tópaga, and Villavicencio.
As part of our commitment to climate action in Colombia, we have provided technical assistance to review, update, and finalize comprehensive climate action plans in mitigation for the municipalities of the Functional Territorial Region of Climate Change (RFTCC, in Spanish).
In collaboration with the municipalities of Tópaga, Gameza, Monguí, Mongua, Corrales, Busbanza, Floresta, and Beteitiva, located in the department of Boyacá, we are developing Local Climate Action Plans (LCAPs) tailored to each community’s specific needs and challenges. These plans focus on mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and strengthening resilience to climate change, with the aim of building a more sustainable and secure future for all.
Our approach is based on the active participation of local authorities, civil society, and other key stakeholders in formulating effective and realistic strategies. We recognize the importance of addressing climate challenges comprehensively, considering not only emissions reduction but also adaptation to the inevitable impacts of climate change.
By working closely with local communities, we ensure that these climate action plans reflect the needs and aspirations of the population, thus promoting a sense of ownership and commitment to their implementation. Additionally, we have provided ongoing training and technical support to ensure that these municipalities have the necessary tools and knowledge to carry out their plans effectively.
As part of the GCoM Americas project, we have closely collaborated with the cities of Florencia and Villavicencio to develop comprehensive Local Climate Action Plans (LCAPs) for each municipality. Our work has focused on understanding and addressing the cities’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, identifying critical areas such as the agricultural sector, transportation, and energy. Our analysis has revealed the urgency of focusing efforts on key sectors to effectively reduce GHG emissions and promote sustainability.
Developing Climate Action Plans in Florencia and Villavicencio is not just a technical exercise but a collective commitment that involves interinstitutional collaboration. We have worked closely with key stakeholders to ensure the integration of climate action into the city’s strategic agenda. Our goal is to establish an institutional framework that ensures the execution of coordinated activities and the continuity of the plan through municipal agreements or decrees.
The Functional Territorial Region of Climate Change (RFTCC, in Spanish) was established in 2019 as part of the technical support provided by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy to the municipality of Tópaga, in the department of Boyacá, Colombia. Comprised of the municipalities of Tópaga, Monguí, Mongua, Gámeza, Corrales, Busbanzá, Betéitiva, and Floresta, the RFTCC was conceived as a catalyst for local governments to effectively address the cross-cutting challenges of development, focused on climate change.
These eight municipalities have joined forces to develop their Greenhouse Gas Inventories and Climate Action Plans. Both align with the National Strategy of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in Colombia. ICLEI-Colombia is the technical coordinator and chairs the National Consultative Committee (NCC). Alongside ICLEI, the Asocapitales (Colombian Association of Capital Cities) and the FCM (Colombian Federation of Municipalities) also form part of the NAC and make climate action possible in these signatory municipalities of the Global Covenant of Mayors, thanks to the support of the European Union.
During the presentation, the eight Climate Action Plans were highlighted, emphasizing the results and processes from the inventory elaboration to plan formulation. Given the region’s dependence on mining, significant challenges were identified, including emissions reduction and responsible accompaniment of mining activity in harmony with the needs of the population and the territory.
The presentation combined technical and political aspects. Colombia experienced regional elections in 2023, resulting in a change in local authorities who took office in 2024. Despite this transition, these municipalities persisted in their strong commitment to driving the results of these climate action plans.
This initiative focused on strengthening the technical capacities of Colombian cities in local climate change management. Through a series of virtual training and capacity-building activities, we aimed to empower local actors to tackle climate challenges and develop effective and sustainable responses.
We offered a virtual training in Spanish open to all GCoM cities in Colombia. This training was tailored to the “MADS GHG Inventory Guide” methodology and aimed to provide cities with the necessary tools to develop high-quality greenhouse gas inventories. Additionally, we had the active participation of leading cities like Tópaga and Villavicencio, who shared their best practices and experiences within the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.
To consolidate the impact of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in Colombia, several activities have been implemented to increase its influence, visibility, and knowledge in the country.
A systematization of lessons learned and significant experiences on local climate action was conducted. This activity included gathering information about at least one municipality and one capital city. In the case of Colombian cities, highlights include Medellín as a capital city and the Functional Territorial Region of Climate Change (RFTCC, in Spanish) in the department of Boyacá, which includes cities like Tópaga, Gameza, Mongui, Mongua, Corrales, Busbanza, Floresta, and Beteitiva.
Two events were organized to promote the Global Covenant of Mayors and give visibility to Colombia’s most advanced cities in terms of climate action. These high-level events involved the participation of mayors and local authorities. One event occurred within the framework of the FCM’s Congress of the Colombian Municipalities in Cartagena de Indias in 2023, while the other event focused on Amazonian cities and was held in Florencia in 2024 as part of the Pan-Amazonian Cities Forum. These events served as important platforms for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and strengthening the network of municipalities committed to climate action in Colombia.
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Foro de Coordinadores Nacionales del Pacto Global de Alcaldes en América Latina: destacados avances de Brasil, Colombia y México 25 de enero de 2024 – En el último día 25, las instituciones socias del Pacto Global de Alcaldes por el Clima y la Energía (GCoM) se reunieron en el primer Foro de Coordinadores Nacionales…
Florença, Amazonian City, Presents Its Ambitious Climate Action Plan with the Support of the Global Covenant of Mayors Florencia (Colombia), December 6, 2023 – Today, the city of Florencia, the most populous in the Colombian Amazon presented its groundbreaking Climate Action Plan (CAP) at a prominent event. The initiative, developed with technical support from…
Histórica Presentación de Planes de Acción Climática en Colombia Tópaga (Colombia), 28 Noviembre de 2023 – Hoy, se llevó a cabo la presentación de los Planes de Acción Climática de los ocho municipios que forman parte de la Región Funcional Territorial de Cambio Climático en Colombia. La presentación contó con la participación de los…
Ciudades colombianas capacitadas en la elaboración de inventarios de emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero 21 de julio, Colombia – 26 ciudades colombianas signatarias del proyecto Pacto Global de Alcaldes por el Clima y la Energía de las Américas concluyeron el miércoles (19) un ciclo de capacitaciones que forma parte de la Estrategia Nacional Colombiana…
July 21, Colombia—26 Colombian cities signatories to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy of the Americas project concluded on Wednesday (19) a training cycle that is part of the Colombian National Strategy in partnership with ICLEI Colombia. The overall objective of the training was to provide cities with the foundations and necessary knowledge…
In their role as National Coordinators, the Colombian Association of Capital Cities (Asocapitales), the Colombian Federation of Municipalities (FCM), and ICLEI-Colombia (ICLEI) serve as focal points for the signatory municipalities in Colombia. They lead the formulation and implementation of the National Strategy of the GCoM in coordination with the members of the National Consultative Committee. They also directly support municipalities within the framework of the GCoM’s activities in the country (recruitment, technical support, participation in events, etc.) and chair the National Consultative Committee. Additionally, ICLEI-Colombia acts as the GCoMt’s Technical Coordinator in Colombia.
On the other hand, the National Consultative Committee brings together key actors in Colombia from different levels of government to facilitate dialogue on climate action policies and programs. It is the working group where the national strategy is defined and monitored, and synergies are sought among different initiatives that support municipalities in the climate area. Learn more about the members of the National Consultative Committee and the activities they carry out.
