AGP Executive Report

Biodiversity: A new inventory records 738 bee species in Colombia, including 140 found nowhere else, underscoring the need to protect pollinator habitats. Clean Energy: A 144-megawatt solar plant in Tolima used a mix of tracking and fixed-tilt systems to adapt to steep terrain and limited space. Waste Reduction: A regional initiative involving Colombia’s Plastics Pact is investigating how to eliminate unnecessary fruit and vegetable packaging that contaminates compost and can contribute to landfill methane. Water and Development: A report on eastern Caldas warns that more than 40 hydroelectric and river-diversion projects are planned, raising concerns over how dams and water extraction reshape local rivers and communities. Environmental Defenders: A young activist was honored with the Goldman Environmental Prize for stopping fracking in towns along the Magdalena River. Endangered Flora: A giant waterlily discovered in Colombia may have only 30 to 50 plants left in the wild.

Sustainable Cities: Santiago de Cali was among five cities recognized at the 2026 Shanghai Award for sustainable development. El Niño Risks: Colombia is among countries activating emergency measures as the 2026–27 El Niño threatens drought, floods, fires and water shortages. Wildlife: A record seizure of 4,235 shark fins highlights trafficking pressures, while a giant waterlily found only in Colombia may have just 30 to 50 plants left in the wild. Environmental Defenders: A young activist won the Goldman Environmental Prize for helping stop fracking in Magdalena River towns. Nature and Funding: A UN report says restoration now covers 252 million hectares worldwide, but finance must rise sharply to meet 2030 goals; Colombia was among countries recognized for restoration work. At COP17, Indigenous communities pressed for greater decision-making power, while key biodiversity funding decisions remained unresolved. Pollution Concerns: U.S. lawmakers urged the administration to oppose aerial spraying in Colombia, citing health risks.

Natural Hazards: A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck near Chaparral, Tolima, early Tuesday, injuring one person and damaging buildings; tremors prompted precautionary evacuations in Bogotá. Urban Sustainability: Cali was named one of five winners of the 2026 Shanghai Award for sustainable urban development, recognizing cities’ efforts to build more inclusive, resilient communities. Environmental Defenders: Colombian activist Yuvelis Morales Blanco won the Goldman Environmental Prize for helping stop two proposed fracking projects near Puerto Wilches and securing a court ruling affirming her Afro-Colombian community’s right to be consulted. Biodiversity: COP17 ended with new recognition of Indigenous and local communities’ role in conservation, but key funding decisions remain unresolved. A UN report says restoration is underway across 252 million hectares worldwide, including projects in Colombia, but investment must rise sharply to meet 2030 targets.

El Niño Risks: BBVA is reviewing loans in Colombia and other Latin American markets as a strengthening El Niño threatens crops with drought and flooding; debt rescheduling may be considered for vulnerable borrowers. Indigenous Leadership: At COP17, Indigenous peoples and local communities gained a stronger role in biodiversity decisions through a body first created at the 2024 summit in Colombia. Nature Finance: The UN biodiversity summit ended with limited agreements and key funding decisions deferred, leaving a gap between global nature goals and the resources to meet them. Urban Sustainability: Cali was among five cities recognized with the 2026 Shanghai Award for sustainable development. Wildlife at Risk: A newly discovered giant waterlily in Colombia may number just 30 to 50 plants in the wild. Defender Safety: A global report recorded 39 killings of environmental defenders in Colombia in 2025, the highest country total.

Indigenous Decision-Making: COP17 fully operationalized a biodiversity body created at Colombia’s 2024 summit, giving Indigenous peoples and local communities a formal role in advising governments and drafting decisions. Biodiversity Funding: The summit ended with commitments to advance nature goals, but key financing decisions were deferred to COP18, leaving the funding gap unresolved. Defender Safety: Colombia recorded 39 killings of land and environmental defenders in 2025—the highest total worldwide, according to figures cited in a call for a Senate investigation. Sustainable Cities: Santiago de Cali won a 2026 Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities, recognizing its approach to urban development.

Nature Deal: COP17 ended with countries reaffirming 2030 biodiversity goals, but key funding decisions were postponed and conservation finance remains far short of what’s needed. Colombia’s Biodiversity: Researchers are using AI and 3D scans to identify frailejones—vital high-altitude plants—and measure carbon without cutting them down. A giant waterlily found in Colombia may have just 30 to 50 plants left in the wild. Wildlife Trafficking: Colombia seized 4,235 shark fins in what was reported as a record case. Urban Sustainability: Santiago de Cali won a global award recognizing its efforts in sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban development. Spraying Dispute: US lawmakers urged the Trump administration to oppose aerial fumigation in Colombia, citing health risks.

Biodiversity Talks: COP17 ended with new pledges and agreements to speed nature protection, but major funding decisions were deferred and progress toward 2030 targets remains off track. High-Andean Biodiversity: Colombian researchers are using AI and 3D scans, with local farmers’ help, to study frailejones and clarify how many species exist. Threatened Wildlife: A giant waterlily in Colombia may have only 30 to 50 plants left in the wild; authorities also seized 4,235 shark fins in a record wildlife-trafficking case. Sustainable Cities: Cali won a global award recognizing its efforts in sustainable urban development. Amazon Protection: US lawmakers urged the Trump administration to oppose aerial fumigation plans in Colombia, citing health risks.

Biodiversity: COP17 ended with countries renewing nature-protection pledges, but key 2030 targets remain off track and conservation funding is still far short of what’s needed. Colombia’s Wildlife: A giant waterlily found in Colombia may have only 30 to 50 plants left in the wild. Separately, authorities seized 4,235 shark fins in what was reported as a record wildlife-trafficking case. Amazon Policy: Colombia’s government is preparing an aerial-spraying pilot using glufosinate, while 19 U.S. lawmakers oppose American support, citing health risks. The plan still requires environmental licensing and health and safety checks. Research: Colombian researchers are using AI and 3D scans to identify frailejones, key plants in high-altitude páramo ecosystems. Sustainable Cities: Santiago de Cali received a 2026 global award recognizing its work on sustainable urban development.

Sustainable Cities: Santiago de Cali won a 2026 global award recognizing its work on inclusive, resilient urban development. Biodiversity: COP17 nations agreed to speed up nature protection, but funding remains far below the $200 billion annual target. Colombia’s newly reported giant waterlily may have only 30 to 50 plants left in the wild. High-Andean Research: Colombian researchers are using AI and 3D scans to study frailejones, with local farmers involved as co-researchers. Aerial Spraying: Nineteen U.S. lawmakers oppose U.S. support for Colombia’s proposed coca-crop spraying, citing health risks; the pilot still needs environmental approval. Energy and Drought: LNG imports supplied a record 31% of Colombia’s natural gas in July as domestic production fell and drought threatened hydropower. Wildlife Trafficking: Colombia seized 4,235 shark fins in a record case.

Global Biodiversity: COP17 nations adopted agreements to revive the 2030 nature goals, but key targets remain off track and progress on conservation funding and harmful subsidies was limited. The summit also approved a permanent body to strengthen Indigenous participation in biodiversity decisions. Colombia’s Paramos: Researchers at the National University of Colombia are using AI and 3D scans to identify frailejones, plants that help regulate water in high-altitude ecosystems, and measure carbon without cutting them down. Aerial Spraying: Colombia is preparing a trial of aerial coca spraying, pending environmental and health approvals; 19 U.S. lawmakers have urged Washington not to support it. Drought and Energy: Falling gas production has pushed LNG imports to a record share of supply, while an expected strong El Niño could strain hydropower and raise demand for gas-fired electricity. Wildlife: A giant waterlily discovered in Colombia may have only 30 to 50 plants left in the wild, underscoring the urgency of protecting the country’s biodiversity.

Energy and Drought: Colombia’s falling gas production is driving greater reliance on imported LNG, which supplied a record 31% of monthly gas in July. A forecast El Niño drought could further strain hydropower and increase demand for gas-fired power. Aerial Spraying: Nineteen U.S. lawmakers urged Marco Rubio to oppose support for aerial spraying in Colombia. A proposed glufosinate trial still needs environmental approval and health and environmental reviews. Indigenous Rights: COP17 adopted arrangements for a permanent body to strengthen Indigenous participation in biodiversity decisions, though its influence will depend on how governments follow its recommendations. Nature Finance: The summit ended with key disputes over conservation funding and harmful subsidies unresolved, as countries remain off track to meet 2030 biodiversity goals. Rare Colombian Flora: Researchers identified a giant waterlily in Guainía, but estimate only 30 to 50 plants may remain in the wild. Wildlife Crime: Colombia seized 4,235 shark fins in a record wildlife-trafficking case.

Rare Species: Researchers have identified a giant waterlily in Colombia’s Guainía department, with just 30 to 50 plants believed to remain in the wild. Amazon Protection: Nineteen U.S. lawmakers urged Washington not to support renewed aerial herbicide spraying in Colombia, warning of health and ecosystem risks; a court has temporarily frozen the proposed pilot. Marine Conservation: Illegal fishing continues in Pacific protected areas, including Malpelo and Gorgona, where authorities have intercepted fishers and prohibited gear. Biodiversity Talks: COP17 delegates entered their final day without agreement on nature finance, harmful subsidies or a global progress review. Climate Risks: The UN warns a powerful El Niño could worsen floods, fires and drought, putting up to 50 million people worldwide at risk of hunger. Restoration: Global ecosystem recovery now covers 252 million hectares and supports over one million jobs, but the UN says efforts and funding must grow to meet 2030 targets.

Aerial Spraying: Nineteen U.S. lawmakers urged Washington not to support renewed coca fumigation in Colombia, warning of risks to people and ecosystems. A court has temporarily frozen the proposed pilot. Amazon Protection: Colombia has revoked an order designating the Amazon as a permanent reserve, raising fresh questions about safeguards for the region. Pacific Wildlife: Colombia seized 4,235 shark fins in a record trafficking case. Illegal fishing also persists in protected waters, including Malpelo and Gorgona, highlighting the challenge of enforcing marine protections. Regional Energy: The Panama–Colombia power link moved closer to completion after two Indigenous territories in Panama approved the consent process; one territory’s agreement is still pending. Biodiversity Crime: A UN decision launched negotiations on a treaty protocol targeting crimes including wildlife trafficking, illegal mining and waste smuggling.

Wildlife Trafficking: Authorities seized 4,235 shark fins in Tumaco, Nariño—the country’s largest haul. Investigators say they may represent more than 1,000 sharks and were bound for overseas markets. Nature Restoration: A new UN report says 252 million hectares are being restored worldwide, but funding must more than quadruple to meet 2030 goals. Colombia was among five countries whose restoration initiatives received UN recognition. Climate Risk: The OAS warns a powerful El Niño in 2027 could bring severe drought to Colombia’s Andean and Caribbean regions, threatening water, energy and food supplies. Amazon Protection: Colombia has revoked an order designating the Amazon as a permanent reserve, raising fresh questions about safeguards for the region. Nature Finance: COP17 talks remain deadlocked over who should pay for biodiversity protection, even as countries fall behind on global targets. Environmental Crime: Indigenous leaders secured agreement to negotiate a global protocol against transnational environmental crime, a growing threat to forests and communities.

El Niño Alert: The OAS warns the 2027 event could bring severe drought to Colombia’s Andean and Caribbean regions and the Amazon, with major risks to water, energy and food supplies. Governments are urged to prepare now. Nature Finance: COP17 biodiversity talks remain stalled over who should pay for conservation, even as countries fall behind on 2030 targets. Colombia and Finland are set to lead efforts to reform subsidies that harm biodiversity. Amazon at Risk: Colombia has revoked an order designating the Amazon a permanent reserve. A new regional report also maps criminal groups across six Amazon countries, while mining and deforestation are contributing to water loss for local communities. Forest Spotlight: An exhibition in Tolima’s tropical dry forest uses driftwood recovered from the Magdalena River to draw attention to an ecosystem that has lost much of its original cover.

Amazon at Risk: Colombia revoked a measure that blocked new mining and oil and gas deals across roughly 483,000 square kilometres of the Amazon. The government cited missing community consultation; the move removes a region-wide safeguard. El Niño Watch: The OAS warns a strong 2027 El Niño could bring severe drought to Colombia’s Andean and Caribbean regions and the Amazon, threatening water, food and energy security. Amazon Under Pressure: A new regional map finds criminal groups or networks in 98% of Colombian Amazon municipalities. Researchers say gold has become the region’s most lucrative illicit trade, while armed groups coerce communities. Biodiversity Talks: Colombia and Finland will lead efforts to reform subsidies that harm nature as COP17 negotiations face concerns that global 2030 targets are slipping. Eight Latin American countries are also backing talks on a UN protocol against environmental crime networks. New Discovery: Photos of giant water lilies in Colombia led researchers to identify a new species.