Outlook on climate change adaptation in the Tropical Andes mountains

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-regional 7 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-Andes 10 ).

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