Loja takes action to combat climate change

CAF-development bank of Latin America- and the French Development Agency (AFD) presented the report “Climate Change Vulnerability Index in the City of Loja,” which will identify and prioritize specific measures of climate change adaptation based on a vulnerability and climate risk assessment by areas, with a view to increasing resilience of the city to extreme climate change and variability events. 

During the presentation of the initiative, the Mayor of Loja, Piedad Pineda, stressed the importance of the studies to be carried out in supporting urban development of the city, and said that the local government is well aware of the impact of climate change on a city like Loja, and the measures that need to be taken to deal with this reality. She also thanked CAF and the French Development Agency for their support in carrying out the studies.

In addition, Bernardo Requena, CAF representative in Ecuador, said that the study will benefit the city of Loja by identifying and prioritizing specific measures for adaptation to climate change, and its impact on the population, the economy and the environment. He also noted that this type of study increases the chances to access international funds as part of climate financing with subsequent economic benefits, ensuring competitiveness and growth for the canton.

The vulnerability assessment by area and sector will produce a better understanding of the risk faced by the city in case of a natural disaster in the context of climate change, and will facilitate appropriate planning. This activity will start with a preliminary analysis to collect climate-related information of the city, systematization and characterization of meteorological data, and analysis of historical records. This analysis will identify the main climate threats, for modeling and impact projections based on Loja’s vulnerability levels.

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