What is included in Ecuador’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan

In May 2019, the Ministry of the Environment presented its National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change of Ecuador, in which it was explained that in three years the necessary enabling conditions would be generated for the proper management of adaptation to climate change in the country.

Among these were the creation of regulations, strengthening institutional capacities and the design of adaptation measures to be implemented in the territory.

Last January 31, the National Adaptation Plan of the Inter-institutional Committee on Climate Change and a week later it was already presented to the public.

For its preparation, workshops were held and more than 2,000 institutions and people participated.

This plan, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), seeks to be a key instrument of public policy that provides tools for the proper management of adaptation to climate change since Ecuador is susceptible to its effects.

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Karina Barrera, Undersecretary for Climate Change of the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE), indicated that this is one of the most important milestones in the country regarding climate change.

The official pointed out that the country did not have information regarding the subject as well as to understand what the challenges were in each of the sites.

“Perhaps climate change ends up being a national and global cliché with which financing is promoted, actions are promoted or perhaps international propaganda, but definitely understanding what climate change is and how it affects us in real life is one of the great challenges that the country has faced and that it has taken us four years to overcome,” he said.

Within the climatic projections they made, it is estimated that the country could increase two degrees Celsius in its worst years, as well as there could be a reduction of 4 millimeters of precipitation in some periods and in others an increase of 9 millimeters from the average that is had. between 1985 and 2015.

Regarding the oceanic projections, an increase in the average sea level was also expected, as well as an acidity of the ocean and a higher temperature.

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The information collected was adapted to each sector to identify the risks they may face. Barrera explained that this allows conservation actions and adaptation measures to be designed.

In the case of health, it was projected that temperature will affect the speed of propagation of vectors such as dengue.

“The implementation challenge begins today (Tuesday) with the launch of the National Adaptation Plan… we need to prioritize the areas of intervention, resources are finite and therefore it is necessary to prioritize where we are going to intervene,” he added.

He made a call not to disperse resources and to focus on actions that will have an impact on public policy.

Within four years, six sectors are included as prioritized (Human Settlements; Water Heritage; Natural Heritage; Health; Productive and Strategic Sectors; and, Food Sovereignty, Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries).

The plan is expected to be implemented between 2023 and 2027. (YO)