Mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaptation into Public Policy and the territorial plans of Andean communities in Cusco, Peru

The project seeks to improve the effectiveness of climate change management in Cusco, Perú highlighting the importance and necessity of undertaking territorial management based on conserving biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, recognizing and validating traditional knowledge, which has been practiced for millennia. It will offer the ecosystem-based adaptation approach as a new strategy for regional climate change management in an area that is already experiencing significant impacts, such as glacial retreat and wetland degradation. The project uses a multi-level approach to ensure the generation of new skills and learning for both the local community and regional government officials.

The project will work with local communities, who are the caretakers as well as beneficiaries of this vulnerable landscape, with whom the organisation has worked with previously and who are already concerned about glacial retreat and what can be done about it. To this end, this project will provide them with information and training regarding climate change and the EbA methodology and support them in developing and implementing their communal territorial plans and replicate a successful project of degraded wetland restoration to recover their vital ecosystem services including water provision not only for local use but also downstream to the city of Cusco.

Project Status

The process of updating the Cusco Regional Strategy began in February 2023 and is expected to conclude in July 2024. The project has supported this process through: facilitating and systematising the work of the Regional Council on Climate Change (CORECC), who are charged with the update; supporting the thematic working groups on water, forests and ecosystems and agriculture. In addition, the project financed specific actions to provide evidence of climate risks for the education, tourism, energy and transport working groups, as a transversal issue. Information on historical records of climate emergencies at the provincial level was also provided and a review of regional Public Investment Projects that align with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).  The project financed part of the process of socialisation and systematisation of the provincial workshops by joining efforts with other actors of the CORECC. Finally, Cusco will be the first region in Peru to include gender indicators in its Regional Climate Change Strategy, thanks to the EbA Project. In addition, the team has supported advocacy to achieve a Regional Ordinance that promotes the empowerment of rural women, ensuring equality approaches with regards to small family farming activities, which, in the Cusco region, applies to 80% of the agricultural sector.

The project supported the updating of territorial plans for 3 communities within the RCA Ausangate and a characterization of their bofedales undertaken to prioritize 15 hectares of degraded wetlands for restoration pilot activities. The project provided materials to enclose these hectares and start the restoration process. They are expecting to see results in 12 to 24 months.