AGP Executive Report

Climate Warning: A new global report says the rate of warming has doubled since 2010, with seven climate indicators at record extremes. Forests: Global forest loss fell 15% in 2025, while Latin America and the Caribbean saw a 28% decline. Colombia recorded four consecutive years of reduced deforestation, but the gains depend on continued protection. Climate and Health: Colombia ranked first among 132 countries for including health in its climate plan, covering air pollution, climate-related illness, nutrition and food security. El Niño Readiness: UNDP and Asocapitales have issued a roadmap to help 32 Colombian capital cities prepare for El Niño risks. Wildlife Trade: Investigators found jaguar parts still sold in local markets in Colombia, while wider research traces hidden routes in Amazon wildlife trafficking. Nature Finance: Ahead of COP17, a UN assessment says funding for biodiversity falls far short of global targets; private companies have contributed just $6,000 to the Cali Fund.

Nature Finance: Ahead of COP17, a UN review says funding to protect biodiversity falls far short of global targets; the Cali Fund has received just $6,000 from private companies. Climate Readiness: Colombia has launched a plan to help 32 capital cities prepare for El Niño, as the phenomenon threatens food security and one in five Colombian families faces hunger. Wildlife Crime: An investigation spanning seven countries, including Colombia, found jaguar parts traded in local markets and links to international trafficking; researchers have also traced hidden routes in the Amazon wildlife trade. Climate and Health: Colombia ranked first among 132 countries for integrating health into its climate plan, which addresses air pollution, nutrition and climate-related illness. Endangered Flora: A giant water lily species discovered after a botanist spotted it on Instagram may have fewer than 50 plants left in the wild.

Climate and Health: Colombia ranked first in a new scorecard of 132 countries, scoring 29 out of 32 for integrating health into climate plans. El Niño Risks: Colombia’s power system faces possible supply shortfalls by April 2027 if drought strains reservoirs; a separate roadmap aims to help 32 cities prepare for El Niño. Amazon Forests: Global deforestation fell in 2025, with Latin American forest loss down 33%, but researchers warn the gains are fragile and could be reversed. Ocean Protection: Colombia is part of a regional marine corridor for migratory species, but conservation depends on enforcing protections, not just declaring them. Wildlife Trafficking: Researchers say Colombia is among the routes used to move Amazon wildlife to overseas markets, underscoring the need for better cross-border tracking. Satellite Monitoring: Colombia plans to launch FACSAT-3A in 2028, with Earth-observation imagery potentially helping detect deforestation and illegal mining.

Satellite Monitoring: Colombia plans to launch FACSAT-3A in 2028, adding Earth-observation capacity that could help track deforestation, illegal mining and disaster risks. El Niño and Power: The government warns electricity shortages could begin in April 2027 if demand stays high and new generation projects lag. A new UNDP–Asocapitales guide gives all 32 capital cities steps to prepare for water shortages, fires, heat and other El Niño threats. Forest Protection: Global forest loss fell 15% in 2025, with Latin America down 33%, but researchers say the progress is fragile and could be reversed, including in Colombia. Fuel Subsidies: Colombia’s phaseout of diesel and gasoline subsidies may curb fossil-fuel use and pollution, but its social costs remain contested.

El Niño Preparedness: A new UNDP–Asocapitales roadmap gives all 32 capital cities steps to protect water supplies, prepare for fires and keep essential services running as El Niño risks grow. Food Security: One in five Colombian households remains unsure where its next meal will come from; experts warn that El Niño, rising costs and regional inequality could undo recent gains in food security. Energy and Equity: Colombia’s fuel-subsidy phaseout may encourage electric-vehicle use and cut pollution, but its social costs remain disputed, with calls for protections for vulnerable households. Wildlife: Researchers have confirmed Victoria colombiana, a giant waterlily found in the Inírida region; only a few dozen plants are thought to remain in the wild. Environmental Law: Colombia’s proposal to add widespread, prolonged or severe environmental destruction to crimes against humanity is drawing international attention.

Food and Climate: One in five Colombian households remains unsure where its next meal will come from. Food insecurity has eased, but rising prices, regional inequality and the looming El Niño threaten those gains. Amazon Enforcement: A regional crackdown led to 233 arrests and flagged 60,000 hectares in connection with environmental crimes; investigators linked 161 firms to Amazon clearing. Water and Wildlife: Organizations warn of efforts to intimidate defenders of the Santurbán páramo, while a newly identified giant water lily in Colombia may have fewer than 50 wild plants left. Urban Pressure: Bogotá’s mounting waste and Medellín’s rising heat underscore the environmental strain facing the country’s cities.

Climate Science: Pressure from Saudi Arabia and Russia, joined by India and China, to delay the IPCC’s next major climate report from 2028 to 2029 could leave vulnerable countries without key findings ahead of a UN climate summit. Environmental Crime: A regional Interpol crackdown led to 233 arrests and exposed 60,000 hectares linked to illegal mining and other environmental crimes; a separate probe traced 161 firms to Amazon forest clearing. Biodiversity: A newly identified giant water lily in Colombia may have fewer than 50 wild plants remaining, underscoring the urgency of protecting rare species. El Niño: IDEAM has confirmed the phenomenon in Colombia, where adverse weather helped drive coffee production down 15% to 12.65 million bags in 2025/26. Urban Environment: Reports highlight mounting trash in Bogotá and faster-rising heat in Medellín despite efforts to add green space.

Amazon Crime: An Interpol sweep across Latin America and the Caribbean led to 233 arrests and linked 161 companies to forest clearing. In Colombia, investigators tied more than 52,000 hectares of protected forest to suspected illegal activity. Climate: Colombia has officially declared El Niño and warned of strong impacts, as reports say the phenomenon is already taking a toll. Biodiversity: A newly identified giant water lily in Colombia may have fewer than 50 wild plants left. Environmental Policy: More than 30 regional experts have proposed a model law making severe, extensive or long-lasting environmental damage punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Land and Energy: Plans to revive fracking in Magdalena River wetlands raise fresh concerns for ecosystems, while Bogotá’s mounting trash highlights the city’s growing waste challenge.

Amazon Crime: Interpol reports 233 arrests and 60,000 hectares of illegal forest clearing across Latin America and the Caribbean. In Colombia, investigators linked Amazon destruction to 161 companies across several continents; 16 people were arrested. El Niño: Colombia has officially entered the climate pattern, with authorities warning of strong impacts as drought, floods and heat threaten the region. Rare Flora: Scientists have identified Victoria colombiana, a giant water lily in the upper Orinoco with an estimated 30–50 plants in the wild; it may qualify as critically endangered. Energy and Land: Colombia’s revived fracking plans in Magdalena River wetlands put the clash between fossil-fuel development and ecosystem protection back in focus. Water and Farming: Colombia is seeking Israeli irrigation technology to boost agriculture in drought-prone La Guajira.

Biodiversity: WWF’s latest report says monitored wildlife populations fell 73% globally from 1970 to 2022, linking nature loss to food, energy and financial systems. Orinoco Discovery: A newly described giant waterlily in eastern Colombia may be critically endangered, with just 30 to 50 plants estimated in the wild. Climate and Coffee: Colombia has officially declared El Niño, warning of strong impacts; coffee production fell 15% to 12.65 million bags. Environmental Crime: A regional INTERPOL operation involving Colombia led to 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Regional Alert: Panama’s powerful earthquakes prompted a tsunami warning for Colombia and other Pacific coasts; the tremors were felt in parts of the country.

Biodiversity: Botanists identified Victoria colombiana, a giant waterlily in Colombia’s upper Orinoco watershed, with just 30 to 50 plants known in the wild. It may qualify as critically endangered. Marine Conservation: Researchers from Colombia joined a regional course in Costa Rica to study fish eggs and larvae, information that can help protect fisheries and identify breeding grounds. Natural Hazards: A 7.6-magnitude earthquake in Panama shook parts of Colombia and prompted a tsunami warning for its coast. El Niño: Colombia has declared the phenomenon’s onset and warned of strong impacts, as forecasts point to unusually intense conditions. Water and Farming: Colombia is seeking Israeli irrigation expertise for drought-prone La Guajira, where water scarcity limits agriculture. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries led to 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest; Colombia was among the countries involved.

El Niño Alert: Colombia has officially declared El Niño and warned of strong impacts. UNICEF says the 2026–27 cycle could put 347 million children worldwide at risk from climate extremes. Water and Farming: Colombia is seeking Israeli irrigation expertise for drought-prone La Guajira, where scarce water limits agriculture. Coffee: Production fell 15% in the 2025–26 coffee year, to 12.65 million bags. Environmental Crime: An Interpol-led operation across nine countries, including Colombia, made 233 arrests, recovered more than 1,000 live animals and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Regional Hazard: Powerful earthquakes in Panama were felt in Colombia; tsunami alerts covering Colombia were later lifted.

Regional Emergency: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake and strong aftershocks struck southern Panama, damaging buildings and shaking parts of Colombia. Tsunami warnings included Colombia but were later lifted. El Niño: Colombia has officially declared the phenomenon underway and warned of strong impacts as Pacific waters continue to warm. Water & Farming: Colombia is seeking Israeli irrigation and water-management expertise for drought-prone La Guajira, where scarce water limits farming. Biodiversity: Researchers identified a new giant water lily in Guainía; only an estimated 30 to 50 wild plants may remain. Energy & Ecosystems: Plans to revive fracking in wetlands along the Magdalena River are renewing debate over the risks to sensitive ecosystems.

Earthquake and Tsunami Risk: A magnitude 7.7 quake in Panama sent tremors into Colombia and prompted tsunami warnings for Colombia’s Pacific coast and neighboring countries. Panama reported building damage and aftershocks. El Niño Alert: IDEAM has officially confirmed El Niño, citing Pacific temperatures 3.49°C above average. The phenomenon could cut rainfall during the October–December rainy season and raise risks of water shortages and wildfires; the government has ordered agencies to activate contingency plans by Nov. 30. Biodiversity: A new WWF report warns of steep wildlife declines across Latin America and the Caribbean, while highlighting Colombian conservation successes. Wetlands and Water: Plans to revive fracking in the Magdalena River wetlands near Puerto Wilches are renewing debate over extraction and ecosystem protection. International groups have also raised concern about pressure on defenders of the Santurbán páramo, a vital water source.

El Niño Alert: IDEAM confirmed a strong to very strong El Niño, expected to persist into the first half of 2027, bringing hotter weather and possible rainfall deficits. Colombia has halted electricity exports to Ecuador to protect domestic supply. Biodiversity: WWF reports a 95% decline in monitored wildlife populations across Latin America and the Caribbean. Colombia’s Andean bear is highlighted as a conservation success, but habitat loss remains a major threat. Bogotá’s Waste Burden: Neighbors of the Doña Juana landfill describe flies, odors and effects on daily life as waste continues to pile up beside homes and farms. Water Defenders: International organizations warn of escalating intimidation against the committee defending the Santurbán páramo, a key water source for more than two million people. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across nine countries led to 233 arrests and more than 1,000 animals recovered; Colombian raids resulted in 16 arrests tied to suspected forest-clearing networks. Energy and Ecosystems: Colombia’s new government is backing fracking plans in Magdalena River wetlands, sharpening concerns over the region’s ecological future.

Water Defenders: International organizations warn that intimidation of the Santurbán páramo’s defenders is escalating after new protections were adopted. The high-altitude ecosystem supplies water to more than two million people and faces pressure from mining. Bogotá’s Waste Burden: At Doña Juana landfill, nearby residents describe persistent flies and odors as the site takes the city’s waste around the clock, raising concerns about whose health and environment bear the cost. Environmental Crime: An Interpol-led operation across nine countries led to 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. In Colombia, 16 people were arrested in a probe linking suspected Amazon deforestation to a wider network of companies and individuals. Climate and Wildlife: A new study warns that one fruit bat species could lose up to half its suitable habitat, much of it in the Amazon, potentially disrupting seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Energy and Wetlands: Colombia’s renewed push for fracking in the Magdalena River wetlands is adding to debate over the country’s energy future and environmental risks.