In order to reduce environmental pressures that occur in rural areas of Capital District (District Department of the Environment, 2007, cited by the Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, 2009), the Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, with the support of our consultant principal and guidance of the District Department of Development, developed a proposal for the implementation of a scheme of payments for ecosystem services in the rural area of ​​Bogotá DC, with the goal of reducing conflicts over land use in the area, and improve the socio-economic of the population involved, being through recognition of ecosystem services as a tool for sustainable development.

The actions to develop the communities related to the scheme, would be monitored based on the estimation of a baseline land use and its projection in the future in the absence of the proposed scheme. Then expect from the program, this negative trend is reversed, and there is a verifiable positive change on environmental conditions and the quality of life of communities.

Another important element of the proposal relates to the development of an economic feasibility analysis in which some alternatives for achieving the desired objectives are compared, evaluating the cost – effectiveness of the scheme and its funding scenarios.

Colombia is one of the countries with greatest water reserves. The environment is not only a beautiful landscape or home of endemic species (many of them endangered). It is also a source of services that benefit all the population. Healthy ecosystems favor the regular supply of drinking water and its purification, as well as collaborating naturally with the eradication of pests, providing pollination, clean air and other values. However, this is often ignored by the parameters of the traditional economy based on market values; and the destructive action of the man is deteriorating the environment. This implies degraded environmental services that, in definitely, translates in a great economic cost, besides damages that manifest at the detriment of the quality of life of plants, animals and humans.

In this situation, in 1993 the Colombian government promoted the law 99 that ordered at the territorial entities to allocate 1% of their resources to take care of natural water reserves. However, a 2010 study by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, revealed that most of these investments have not been supporting the natural supply of water, and the instruments of control to measure the implementation of this rule were not settle out.

In 2013, in order to clarify its application, the decree 953 was sanctioned, stating that “local authorities might recognize contractually at the owners and regular holders of lands located in areas with strategic importance, supporting the conservation of ecosystems, and in consequences improving the provision of environmental services related with water resources”. In this way, municipal entities have to spend at least the 1% of their current income in environmental conservation actions, either by purchasing farms and establishing there management plans, or as compensation to farmers for an environmental land use.

In order to implement properly this instrument is fundamental a proper technical designing and socially feasibility. It is important that each municipal entity delineates, evaluate and prioritize ecosystem of its territory to protect and manage them properly, with the support of the environmental authorities.

In Ecosimple we glad of been part of this initiative. Furthermore, actually we are designing a scheme working in the municipality of Villavicencio – Meta, in coordination with Cormacarena and other local actors. Previously, we have participated in the design of a similar scheme in the jurisdiction of Corpoguavio, Chiguanos River on Guasca municipality. Newly, we are pleased of been involved in this important challenge for the country.

 

Industrial revolution was not only puting in practice the first modern production modes, but rather also began a painful process of global pollution that reaches our days. As result, environmental degradation during almost two hundred years has made us to face huge challenges.

Fortunately, more companies and community in general have become aware that is necesary a drastic change for avoid the degradation of natural resources. Anyways, many companies still refuse to optimize their environmental performance remaining in old highly damaging practices. However, there are consumers who know the importance of environmental responsability and look increasingly by responsible brands concern of their environmental impact. Of course, in many cases marketing label products as “ecological” and “green”, without proper assessment.

Anyway, beyond advertising, one thing is certain: to reduce the environmental impact, using energy and raw materials is a trend that keeps growing. A Good environmental performance reduces costs, improve competitivenes and attract investors and new consumers. On the other hand, environmental laws in Colombia are stronger than ever with irresponsible companies; justice not only take action on the matter: The community and the GNOs condemn these companies, and start campaigns to alert consumers, between other actions

Due to this, there is no doubt that optimization of environmental performance is increasingly important to manufacture competitive products in markets with ecological awareness. This can be started with simple assessments in order to identify the best alternatives in each company, in addition of a constant monitoring and processes evaluation looking for a better performance.

Some environmentally practices as reducing energy consumption, cleaner production proceses and environmentally friendly management of waste is posible. Retrieve discarded materials, use less packing, look for reciclables and use of less contaminants materials; these and other similar practices, can make the difference for companies going forward in more clean new market trends.

Protected areas are zones that are declared of national, regional or local interest, according to the Convention of the United Nations on Biodiversity, “Law 165 of 1994”, that describe them as those geographically defined areas that have been designated or regulated and managed to achieve specific conservation objectives.

Protected areas are considered as important strategic ecosystems for the production of environmental goods and services, thus generating economic, social and cultural benefits to society. Also they ensure the conservation of biodiversity, landscapes and natural elements that are essential for ecosystems.

In return for the benefits accrued to society from protected areas, we should work together to ensure the sustainability of natural resources, so that not only the government and non-government agencies are part of these strategies, but also that private entities, productive sectors and the community in general constitute a vital link that contributes to conservation objectives as part of social responsibility.

In this sense, social responsibility to protected areas must be understood as the contribution of different actors, which enable the strengthening of the management of protected areas. PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT HAS NEVER EASY!!!

Today, the planet is not what it was two hundred years ago, or even a hundred. The increase in industrial activity and the increasing level of traffic in cities generate the greenhouse effect: a phenomenon involving global warming from the impact of the constant emission of gases in our atmosphere. This causes climate change, a growing problem that, although we are still not perceived, can jeopardize all humanity. To prevent this from happening, many international organizations put cards on the table according to search a number of regulatory standards that ultimately possible to preserve the health of the planet.

What is climate change and how is it generated?

As we mentioned, the process of industrialization, which occurred worldwide, is caused the famous greenhouse effect. Among other things, the emission of CO2, a gas that is released from burning oil, is affecting the natural balance of our delicate atmosphere.

According to some authors, it is expected that by 2020 climate worldwide increase, at least one degree centigrade. Perhaps, this figure does not seem like too. However, it is sufficient to modify the fragile ecosystems (already damaged by deforestation, pollution and illegal hunting, etc.). In addition, the temperature rise can generate powerful weather changes and the melting icecaps, causing the water level continues to rise, and flood some coastal areas.

What is the Kyoto agreement?

The agreement, or rather, the Kyoto protocol is a series of measures contained in the Framework Convention of the United Nations Climate Change. It is a multinational agreement that aims to lower the level of the emission of gases that produce the greenhouse effect.

In 1997, several industrialized countries committed in the city of Kyoto to regulate and reduce emissions of such gases. However, it was not just until 2004 that this protocol entered into force.

The protocol takes into account also the promotion of sustainable energy sources, and search for other more friendly production environment. On the other hand, it also promotes a common fund to address these problems and lessen the impact of climate change in developing countries.

While it is currently in force on the second commitment period of the protocol, nations continue to seek new alternatives and agreements that allow recudir climate change. In this sense, the voluntary markets, as well as bilateral agreements, among others, remain largely unexplored. In this sense, Ecosimple has participated in the management of bilateral agreements in Colombia and Costa Rica, supporting the work of Japanese companies contracted by the Ministry of Environment of Japan to promote such agreements.