Colombia requires companies to plant two trees per employee per year in an effort to restore ecosystems – Noticias Ambientales

Report on Colombia’s Reforestation Mandate and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary: Law 2173 of 2021

The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia has enacted a resolution to regulate Law 2173 of 2021. This legislation mandates that all medium and large companies are required to plant a minimum of two trees annually for each employee. This initiative is a core component of the national strategy to advance several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The “Life Areas” Initiative: A Framework for SDG 15

Program Objectives and Implementation

The law establishes “Life Areas,” which are designated zones for ecological restoration and the conservation of native flora. The implementation process involves:

1. Delimitation of areas by municipal mayors in coordination with regional environmental authorities.
2. Official registration in the Single Registry of Ecosystems and Environmental Areas (REAA) to ensure systematic monitoring and management.

Prioritized Ecosystems for Restoration

The initiative prioritizes areas of high ecological value, directly contributing to the targets of SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). These areas include:

• Water sources and riparian zones.
• Wetlands and critical water ecosystems.
• Territories within the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP).
• The Biosphere Reserve of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina.
• Other zones of significant ecological importance.

Fostering Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Corporate Responsibility and SDG 12

The resolution outlines specific obligations for the private sector, promoting corporate environmental responsibility in line with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Companies must:

• Organize and participate in tree planting days.
• Develop comprehensive restoration plans.
• Submit annual reports to verify compliance.

Civic Engagement and Climate Action (SDG 13)

A certification system has been established to encourage broad participation and recognize contributions to national environmental targets. This system directly supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) by quantifying reforestation efforts as a contribution to carbon footprint compensation.

• Citizens who participate receive the “Plant Life Good Citizen” certificate.
• Companies receive the “Plant Life Corporate” certificate.
• Both certificates are issued free of charge and are valid for one year.

Inclusive Governance and Stakeholder Engagement

Recognition of Indigenous Communities

The framework acknowledges the autonomy of indigenous communities in the sustainable management of their forests and territories, ensuring that the implementation respects traditional knowledge and governance structures, a key principle for inclusive development under the SDGs.

Public Consultation Process

To ensure legal and social legitimacy, the Ministry of Environment conducted a robust public consultation process, exemplifying the collaborative approach of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This included two formal rounds of consultation, which gathered over 1,700 contributions from citizens, academic institutions, and the private sector.

Projected Impacts on Key Sustainable Development Goals

Environmental Contributions

The environmental benefits of the program are directly aligned with multiple SDGs:

• Climate Regulation: Absorption of CO₂ contributes to mitigating global warming (SDG 13: Climate Action).
• Water Management: Aquifer recharge and flood mitigation support water security (SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation).
• Biodiversity and Soil Health: Creation of habitats and prevention of erosion and desertification are central to protecting terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15: Life on Land).

Socio-Economic Co-benefits

The initiative is projected to yield significant socio-economic benefits, advancing additional SDGs:

• Public Health: Improved air quality and access to green spaces enhance physical and mental well-being (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being).
• Economic Well-being: The program is expected to boost ecotourism, create green jobs, and contribute to poverty reduction (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 1: No Poverty).

Strategic Alignment with National and Global Agendas

This resolution is a key action within the National Development Plan “Colombia World Power of Life.” It strategically positions the nation as a leader in ecological restoration and the fight against deforestation. By integrating corporate responsibility with citizen action, Colombia is implementing a tangible framework to address climate change and achieve its commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article’s central theme is the mandatory planting of trees, ecological restoration, conservation of native species, and the fight against deforestation. It explicitly mentions creating “Life Areas” to restore ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and protect areas of high environmental value like water sources, wetlands, and protected areas, all of which are core components of SDG 15.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article directly links tree planting to climate change mitigation. It states that trees regulate the climate by “absorbing CO₂ and mitigating global warming” and that the certificates issued to companies and citizens certify the planting as a “contribution to carbon footprint compensation.” This directly addresses the need for action to combat climate change and its impacts.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The initiative is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership. It involves the government (Ministry of Environment), the private sector (“medium and large companies”), and civil society (“citizens”). The article highlights how the resolution “articulates citizen action and corporate responsibility as pillars of sustainable development,” which embodies the collaborative spirit of SDG 17.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article emphasizes the inclusive and participatory process used to develop the regulation. It mentions “two rounds of public consultation” with contributions from citizens, companies, and academia to ensure “legal and social legitimacy.” Furthermore, it recognizes the “autonomy of indigenous communities in defining environmental guidelines,” which points to the development of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
5. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article notes that beyond environmental impacts, tree planting generates economic benefits, including the “boost to ecotourism, job creation, and poverty reduction.” This connects the environmental initiative to the promotion of sustainable economic growth and employment.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 15 (Life on Land):
   • Target 15.2: “By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.” The law mandating companies to plant trees is a direct action to increase reforestation and restore ecosystems within Colombia.
   • Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The focus on planting “native species” and establishing “Life Areas” in zones of high environmental value, including protected areas, directly contributes to this target.
2. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.3: “Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.” The program, with its “Plant Life Good Citizen” and “Plant Life Corporate” certificates, serves as an awareness and education tool, promoting shared environmental responsibility and action on carbon footprint compensation.
3. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.” The entire legal framework described is a public-private-civil society partnership, mandating corporate action, encouraging citizen participation, and being overseen by the government.
4. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.7: “Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.” The article explicitly details the public consultation process (“more than 1,000 contributions” and “769 additional comments”) and the inclusion of indigenous communities, which demonstrates a commitment to this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 15 (Targets 15.2 and 15.5):
   • A direct quantitative indicator is the number of trees planted annually, as the law mandates “at least two trees per employee per year” for all medium and large companies.
   • Another indicator is the number and total area of “Life Areas” officially registered in the “Single Registry of Ecosystems and Environmental Areas (REAA).”
2. For SDG 17 (Target 17.17):
   • The number of “Plant Life Corporate” certificates issued to companies can measure private sector participation.
   • The number of “Plant Life Good Citizen” certificates issued can measure the engagement of the general public.
3. For SDG 16 (Target 16.7):
   • The article provides specific numbers that can be used as indicators of participation in the legislative process: “more than 1,000 contributions” in the first consultation and “769 additional comments” in the second.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: noticiasambientales.com