Report on Conservation Efforts in Chilean Patagonia with Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Overview of Chilean Patagonia

Chilean Patagonia, located approximately 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) from Antarctica, is distinguished by its remarkable natural beauty and minimal human interference. The region encompasses diverse geographic and ecological features, including granite mountains, volcanoes, ancient forests, glacier-fed rivers, and a coastline with over 40,000 islands. This unique land-sea connectivity fosters exceptional ecological productivity and biodiversity.

Despite an extensive network of protected areas, inadequate funding and management threaten the effective conservation of these vital ecosystems.

The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Chilean Patagonia Project

The Pew Charitable Trusts, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, employs data-driven strategies to address global challenges. In Chilean Patagonia, Pew supports the establishment of new protected areas across land, marine, and freshwater environments, enhances management of existing protected areas, and promotes community involvement in conservation efforts.

Significance of Chile’s Biodiversity

Chile’s unique geography contributes to its rich biodiversity, hosting 88 of the world’s 110 known ecosystems across its 2,653 latitudinal miles (4,270 kilometers). Protected areas cover 42% of Chile’s ocean and 21% of its landmass. However, most of these areas lack essential management frameworks and sufficient budgets. Chile ranks among the lowest globally in national biodiversity expenditure.

Effective management of protected areas yields multiple benefits aligned with the SDGs, including:

• Ensuring access to safe and abundant drinking water (SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation)
• Preserving cultural heritage and local traditions (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities)
• Providing protection against natural disasters (SDG 13: Climate Action)
• Generating employment opportunities through sustainable tourism (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth)

Pew’s initiatives align with Chile’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, Nationally Determined Contributions, and the Global Biodiversity Framework’s Goal 3, which targets conserving and effectively managing at least 30% of ecosystems by 2030 (SDG 15: Life on Land; SDG 14: Life Below Water).

Creation of the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP)

The establishment of Chile’s Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP) marks a significant advancement in ecosystem conservation. SBAP is responsible for managing 242 public protected areas and future additions, and for implementing conservation strategies in non-protected zones. These include:

1. Management of threatened ecosystems
2. Ecological restoration and wetlands inventories
3. Plans addressing threatened and invasive species
4. Economic incentives promoting sustainable practices

Although SBAP’s creation increased funding, a substantial gap remains between current resources and the necessary budget for effective management.

Pew’s Collaborative Approach in Chile

Pew operates through public-private partnerships, providing technical and financial assistance to local, national, and international conservation organizations with proven expertise. Key activities include:

• Supporting research collaborations with universities to inform evidence-based decision-making (SDG 4: Quality Education)
• Empowering local governments via the Gateway Communities Protected Areas Strategy Group, involving regional governments, municipalities, and public agencies
• Assisting CONAF, Chile’s national forest service, in aligning with international conservation standards such as the IUCN Green List
• Developing the world’s largest government platform for biodiversity monitoring
• Promoting citizen participation in protected area management
• Establishing Chile’s first protected areas academy at Universidad Austral de Chile, with potential replication internationally

Capacity Building and Community Engagement

Through the Austral Patagonia Program at Universidad Austral de Chile, Pew has helped design training programs for park rangers, CONAF professionals, Indigenous and local community members, and municipal and regional officials, enhancing capacity for sustainable management.

Pew also supports community-driven initiatives to create new protected areas on land and sea, including protection of Patagonia’s rivers, balancing local development with conservation and cultural preservation.

Conclusion: Advancing Sustainable Development through Conservation

Pew’s work in Chilean Patagonia aims to secure adequate management and financing for protected areas, ensuring the preservation of some of the planet’s most diverse ecosystems. These efforts contribute directly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals by promoting biodiversity conservation, sustainable community development, climate resilience, and inclusive governance.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • The article discusses marine protected areas and the conservation of Chilean Patagonia’s coastline and ocean ecosystems.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Focus on land protected areas, biodiversity conservation, forest management, and ecosystem protection.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Protected areas help ensure access to safe, plentiful drinking water.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Alignment with the Paris Agreement and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to combat climate change.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Public-private collaborations, partnerships with universities, local governments, and civic organizations.
6. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Tourism-associated employment and sustainable development benefits for local communities.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 14 – Life Below Water
   • Target 14.5: Conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2020 (the article mentions protected marine areas and efforts to expand them).
2. SDG 15 – Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt biodiversity loss.
   • Global Biodiversity Framework Goal 3 (linked to SDG 15): Ensure at least 30% of ecosystems are conserved and managed effectively by 2030.
3. SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes.
4. SDG 13 – Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning (alignment with Paris Agreement and NDCs).
5. SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.
6. SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.9: Promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Protected Areas Coverage
   • Percentage of land and ocean area under protection (e.g., 42% ocean and 21% land mass protected in Chile).
   • Percentage of ecosystems conserved and effectively managed (Global Biodiversity Framework Goal 3).
2. Management and Funding Levels
   • Budget allocation and adequacy for protected area management.
   • Existence and implementation of management mechanisms and plans.
3. Biodiversity Monitoring
   • Use of government platforms for monitoring biodiversity.
   • Alignment with international standards such as the IUCN Green List for protected area management.
4. Community Involvement and Capacity Building
   • Number of training programs and participants (e.g., park rangers, local communities).
   • Level of local government and community participation in protected area management.
5. Sustainable Development Benefits
   • Access to safe drinking water.
   • Employment generated through tourism and conservation activities.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: pew.org