Joint statement on the 2nd anniversary of the UK-Colombia Partnership for Sustainable Growth
Published 29 July 2021
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The UK and Colombia have reaffirmed their commitment to work jointly towards greater climate ambition and action as they celebrate the second annual High-Level Dialogue of the “Partnership for Sustainable Growth”, on 29 July 2021.
The Partnership, signed in 2019, is demonstrating the transformative impact that international collaboration on climate action and environmental protection can have with a focus on emissions reductions and sustainable growth. The projects within the Partnership support Colombia to implement its ambitious policies to reduce emissions, fight deforestation and protect the environment, while supporting jobs, prosperity, and sustainable peace.
Over the last year, the UK and Colombia have worked together to deliver progress on the following.
Climate ambition
The Partnership supports knowledge-sharing and capacity building to deliver Nationally Determined Contributions, with both the UK and Colombia enhancing their respective commitments to reduce emissions in advance of 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). .
Addressing deforestation
The UK signed with Colombia the largest environmental programme of President Iván Duque’s administration: the TEFOS programme (Territorios Forestales Sostenibles in Spanish), a 5-year investment of £64 million aimed at halting deforestation and protecting tropical forests. The implementation of the multipurpose cadastre kicked off this year in deforestation hotspots as UK funds continue to strengthen environmental rule of law and supporting peace building in conflict-affected areas.
Biodiversity and nature
The Newton–Caldas Fund is supporting research on plants, fungi and sustainable agriculture to support bioeconomy, sustainable development and food security. Furthermore, building on a long-standing collaboration on biodiversity research that started in 2015, UK funds continue contributing to bioeconomy policy. In 2020 the Bioeconomy Mission was launched, looking to contribute up to 10% of national GDP by 2030, generating 2.5 million jobs and promoting 500 bio-products.
Green finance
The Partnership is supporting the development of Colombia’s green finance sector, for example, through the development of a Green Finance Taxonomy and through the issuance of Colombia’s sovereign green bonds. Over $84m has been leveraged from private sources through all projects delivered through the UK’s technical assistance programme UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions)
Sustainable mobility
Further, UK PACT has supported the electrification of Bogota’s bus fleet, now with 1,485 electric buses on the roads, while the CLIC programme has supported the development of bike-sharing and cycling infrastructure in 4 main cities: Bogotá, Cali, Monteria and Bucaramanga.
Energy
UK programmes have supported over 100 companies to put in place energy efficiency measures, saving around 3000 MWh in energy, as well as supporting energy auctions that will increase solar and wind generation into Colombia’s energy matrix from 1% to 12% by 2022.
In this third year of the Partnership, our countries recognise the importance of 2021 as a year for climate action, and the need to foster progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, building on the achievements mentioned above. The UK and Colombia acknowledge the importance of delivering on their respective Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and agree to build on existing collaboration through the Partnership for Sustainable Growth and the UK’s International Climate Finance, to ensure their speedy and robust implementation.
Both governments also commit to continue working closely to deliver a successful COP26 in Glasgow, noting Colombia’s leadership in supporting the UK Presidency’s goals for COP26, including in the key priorities such as adapting to protect communities, promoting nature and oceans protection, mobilising climate finance, securing global net zero and a sustainable energy transformation. Colombia will certainly contribute to a successful COP26 as a Champion for the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature. Through this continued commitment to high ambition and to the Paris Agreement, Colombia is setting an example to the region and to the world.