La Paz to Take Action to Address Climate Change

CAF Development Bank of Latin America, in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Municipal Autonomous Government of La Paz, presented the project “Climate Change Vulnerability Index in La Paz,” which will identify and design concrete measures against climate change in the urban context. This climate change vulnerability and adaptation analysis will be conducted by area, and will enhance population resilience in case of extreme events related to climate change and variability. 

During the presentation of the initiative, Patricia Alborta, CAF representative in Bolivia, stressed that the study will benefit La Paz by determining the vulnerability level of the municipality and determining specific measures regarding adaptation to climate change and its direct impact on the population, economy and environment. She further stated that these type of studies increase the chances of accessing international funds within the framework of climate financing, generating a favorable context of complementarity and growth for the city.  CAF seeks to help countries honor climate change commitments in the context of new opportunities for sustainable, low-carbon and resilient growth in cities.

In addition, La Paz Mayor Luis Revilla Herrero emphasized that La Paz is leading the development and positioning of a municipal climate agenda locally, through a series of municipal actions to build adaptive, mitigative and climate resilient capabilities that will help devise policies, programs and projects to make La Paz a protected, safe and resilient city.

Mariela Sarmiento, AFD project director, emphasized that by opening offices in Bolivia in 2015, the French Development Agency reaffirmed its presence in Latin America, providing continuity to French development and support policy.

The new ADF Strategy for the 2018–2022 period is based on a vision of a common world, that is more just and sustainable for all, leading to structural commitments: 100% Paris Agreement, 100% social ties and 3D development (Defense, Diplomacy and Development). AFD and Bolivia have built a high-quality partnership in a short timeframe, where AFD is currently involved in two priority sectors: energy and water sanitation.

Against this backdrop, the “Climate Change Vulnerability Index in the City of La Paz” project is consistent with the objectives and goals of the AFD mission in the nation. This study will find feasible solutions for climate change and society. It will therefore anticipate and create rapid response mechanisms in the event of a natural disaster

Vulnerability analysis by area will consist of several phases in order to achieve better results. First, literature and field research will be carried out, contacting public, private and academic sector stakeholders, with the aim of identifying studies, vulnerability assessments, climate projections, action plans and other results from programs that have been carried out in the past three years.  Based on the results, the scope of the consultancy will be determined in terms of defining the methodology to be used to perform a detailed survey of current and future vulnerability by area, covering social, economic, territorial and environmental factors in the city of La Paz.

This study will elucidate the risks facing La Paz in case of a natural disaster in the context of climate change. It will also facilitate proper planning to counteract the effects of climate change and variability on disaster prevention.  Subsequently, the studies and experiences of other professionals will be reviewed and cross-checked with the results achieved in order to validate and complement the information obtained. Finally, two proposals will be developed in the form of a Green Climate Fund Concept Note, which will include climate adaptation and resilience measures.

This initiative is part of the LAIF project (the EU’s Latin America Investment Facility), developed by CAF and the AFD, an initiative that aims to promote sustainable, low carbon, climate-change resilient development in the region’s cities. The initiative also aims to integrate climate issues more efficiently into the project funding process, increase the awareness of local authorities on climate change and identify and support urban projects with climate-related added benefits in the region’s countries.