Ecuadorian Municipalities Present Results of Their National Strategy

 

Quito, Ecuador – September 12, 2024

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, a project funded by the European Union in Latin America, held the Strategic Meeting for the Presentation of Results 2024, an event in which 15 Ecuadorian municipalities participated. Of these, 8 municipalities (Ambato, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Quito, Lago Agrio, Latacunga, Manta, and Montecristi) presented their projects and advances in the fight against climate change. The municipalities of Portoviejo and Joya de Los Sachas were also present, joining the exchange of ideas and experiences.

This event, organized by WWF Ecuador in collaboration with the Association of Ecuadorian Municipalities (AME), highlighted the achievements reached in the implementation of the Covenant’s National Strategy, which has the key support of the European Union.

“WWF Ecuador’s work with the Covenant municipalities has enabled them to strengthen their technical capacities on issues related to the fight against climate change,” stated Pedro Ponce, Environmental Cooperation Officer of the European Union Delegation in Ecuador. Ponce also emphasized the importance of decentralization in combating climate change.

Belén Jiménez, Technical Advisor of GCoM in the Americas, highlighted three key areas addressed in this national strategy: the importance of working with reliable data, the political representation of the mayors of Manta and Ambato, and the need for bankable projects that involve the private sector. “Cities need to develop bankable projects and engage in dialogue with the private sector to access climate financing,” affirmed Jiménez.

 

Local Climate Results: Roundtable 1

The initial roundtable featured presentations from municipalities that have made significant progress in their climate projects. The city of Ambato presented the results of its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory, where the main emitting sectors identified were transportation and energy. Latacunga, in turn, presented a climate risk analysis focused on precipitation and flooding, proposing adaptation measures such as Rain Gardens.

In Guayaquil, the results focused on the implementation of the climate project portfolio, designed to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. Quito, the host city of the event, presented its adaptation project based on the restoration of ravines, highlighting the need for climate financing to advance its sustainability agenda.

 

Tools and Financing for Climate Action: Roundtable 2

The second roundtable was dedicated to presenting key tools for municipalities. AME presented the advancements of its GHG Inventory Module, a platform designed to help municipalities collect and manage emissions data, and the self-paced climate change course that will be available starting in October. The Sub-secretariat of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE), which has worked closely with the municipalities adhering to the Covenant, also participated.

In this segment, Lago Agrio, the only Ecuadorian Amazon city in the Covenant, shared its experience within the Covenant, where the municipality has developed its first GHG inventory, highlighting the strengthening of mitigation capacities. Manta, a member of the Covenant’s Mayors Forum in Latin America, also presented its results after completing its emissions inventory, emphasizing the importance of having tools that facilitate informed decision-making.

Cuenca, an emblematic city, showcased the results of its GHG inventory, the preparation of its portfolio of climate initiatives, and its participation in the Covenant’s “Emblematic Cities” initiative, which has been fundamental in training its staff in green financing. Montecristi, one of the most industrialized Ecuadorian cities in the country, highlighted the importance of having an emissions inventory to reduce local pollution, a key challenge in its industrial environment.

 

Closing and Future Projections

The event concluded with the reaffirmation of the commitment of Ecuadorian municipalities to continue working to face the challenges of climate change. Final remarks were made by representatives of WWF Ecuador, AME, and the Global Covenant of Mayors, who highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration networks and continuing to develop sustainable projects at the local level.

This strategic meeting not only showcased the achievements reached in 2024 but also laid the groundwork for future climate actions in Ecuador, demonstrating that local climate action is key to a more resilient and sustainable future.

 

About the Global Covenant of Mayors

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy is the largest global alliance of cities and local governments committed to combating climate change. Through initiatives like this, it seeks to mobilize local actors to take a leading role in climate action, turning cities into the driving force for a healthier planet.

 

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