- Colombia has made important steps in the coordination of national climate change action through the design of a national climate change system, SISCLIMA (currently seeking formalisation). SISCLIMA brings together national and international actors developing work on climate change that have, to date, been spread widely with few inter-linkages.
- Essential government coordination and support across MADS, DNP and MFA has developed through informal work within the SISCLIMA and has gained momentum, largely thanks to international processes supporting climate change action and the impact of extreme weather events.
- Regional development banks can play an important role in developing climate change policies through programmatic approaches. IADB and the PBL provided to Colombia have played a fundamental role in the development of the SISCLIMA.
- Dealing with conflicting government priorities remains a big issue for effective climate change action. Identification of mutual benefits is now under way aiming to tackle this issue.
- Stronger stakeholder engagement of civil society, the private sector, subnational entities and law-makers is required to increase awareness and understanding of climate change vulnerabilities and opportunities. Improvements in terms of transparency of finance flows for climate related activities are also required; this could help identify financing gaps.
- International institutions such as the GCF could enable stronger stakeholder engagement. In addition, existing national and subnational entities could support implementation and MRV processes, however institutional strengthening, clear mandates and improved capacities will be required.
Marcella Jaramillo, E3G