Outlook on climate change adaptation in the Tropical Andes mountains

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Agreement (UNFCCC, 2015). The international
acknowledgement of the importance of focusing
on vulnerable groups and incorporating traditional
knowledge brings the opportunity for including
women and indigenous peoples’ perspectives in
the policy instruments. However, funding, specific
mechanisms and institutions for such inclusion need
to be strengthened and/or created.
Regional and sub-regional level policy
instruments
Policy instruments at the regional and sub-regional7
level are primarily created in the framework of
the regional organizations in which the Andean
countries participate: the Union of South American
Nations (UNASUR), the Andean Community
(CAN), the Pacific Alliance and the Community
of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
These organizations aim to provide representation in
international negotiations on trade agreements and
on enhancing sovereignty for the region.
UNASUR is formed of 12 South American countries:
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador,
Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and
Venezuela. Its stated objective is to build a space for
cultural, economic, social and political integration. It
also aims to eliminate socioeconomic inequality and
expand social inclusion to increase civil participation.8
Key guiding documents of the organization
mention the relevance of: addressing causes and
effects of climate change; protecting biodiversity,
water resources and ecosystems and; cooperating
for disaster prevention. However, these aims have
not led to actions on climate change adaptation.
Moreover, UNASUR does not have an environmental
commission or any other agency responsible for
environmental issues or for implementing measures
to address climate change risks.
The Andean Community (CAN)9 was formed to
promote industrial, agricultural, social, and trade
cooperation between member countries (Bolivia,
Colombia, Ecuador and Peru). The environment has
been a top priority for CAN for many years. During
this time it has supported the development of the
Environmental Andean Agenda to guide multi-
country actions on climate change, biodiversity
and water resources; and actions to face climate
change effects in the Andes and its basins. Activities
undertaken as part of this agenda include but are
not limited to:
• The Climate Change Adaptation Programme in
the Andean Region, which compiled information
on climate change impacts on the ecosystems in
the Andean region.
• Project for Adaptation to the Impacts of Receding
Glaciers in the Tropical Andes (PRAA), which
implemented a pilot programme on adaptation
measures in glacial basins of Bolivia, Ecuador
and Peru.
• Climate Change and Environment in the Social
and Economic Cohesion Sector (ANDESCLIMA),
which is oriented towards mountain EbA to
climate change in the Andean Region.
• The establishment of research stations and
research projects for monitoring climate change
impacts on biodiversity (e.g. GLORIA-Andes10 ).