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

Component I:
60 regional actors trained in the EbA and Climate Change approach.

5 territorial management instruments analysed and prioritized where to influence the EbA approach.

Regional Climate Change Strategy. Support with the facilitation and systematization of CORECC workshops and socialization workshops at the provincial level, coordination with the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (MIDIS) to train dairy farmers and reach the most dispersed populations.

Advocacy to incorporate EbA approach in 10 management instruments: 1) ERFCC (tourism, agriculture, forests, water, energy, transportation, education and health roundtables), 2) ERDB Regional Biological Diversity Strategy, 3) ERDB update guide, 4) Water Governance Proposal for the Vilcanota Urubamba Basin Council, 5) Inputs to link climate management in the Regional Tourism Plan to 2050, 6) Regional Ordinance Empowerment of Rural Women in the agriculture sector, 7) Regional Ordinance to prioritize budget for green Infrastructure projects, 8) Early Safeguards Proposal for Project. Multipurpose of the Salcca River Project, 9) National Educational Project, 10) Regional Educational Project and 11) Proposal for the creation of the Indigenous Peoples Platform against Climate Change for Cusco.

Component II:
Characterization of wetlands and Wetland Management Plan for the three communities of the ACR Ausangate.

3 ACR Ausangate communities received information about the importance of wetlands and the EbA and CC approach. Seven 07 Yachaqs revitalized and trained in CC and EbA management.

27 hectares of wetlands in process of restoration ACR Ausangate.

Internship for the community members of ACR Ausangate to Japu to see the restoration of wetlands.