The Antioquia Community Ecosystems Infrastructure REDD + Project in Colombia by The Ecotropics Group
Please find below the
Finalist Evaluation
Judges'' comments
This complex, multi-faceted proposal to reduce deforestation and increase farmer wellbeing represents important work that could address GHG emissions and help Colombia in a new post-war economy. The large proposal, however, has many parts, some seemingly already on-going, and no breakdown of how the budget will be used. It would be useful to see a framework or table of costs and benefits along the value chain including social and environmental impacts. Additionally, while this is a visionary proposal, it may be challenging to overcome political and social obstacles and also depends on functioning carbon credit system.
Semi-Finalist Evaluation
Judges'' ratings
| • | Novelty: | |
| • | Feasibility: | |
| • | Impact: | |
| • | Presentation: |
Judges'' comments
This proposal is quite large in scale, and though individual aspects may not be novel, pulling together a project of this scope is relatively novel. You have considered many aspects of sustainability and the associated challenges, which is helpful to understanding the project. It's not entirely clear what the potential GHG emissions reductions are or how they can be computed, but I'd like to hear more about how that may happen. It sounds like there will be many political hurdles to clear as well, and I think the political aspect of this project is the most intriguing piece of the proposal to me. Considering "replicability" of the project, it is not necessarily an easily replicable project in other countries, but the experience gained by creating a politically feasible project here could be valuable to other projects internationally.
 Arturo Restrepo Aristizabal Nov 5, 2017 06:32  | Proposal creator Aside from including both general and detailed Judge's comments. We made general formatting improvements, proof-reading and wordsmithing while crafted substantive changes in some sections. Regarding the proposed actions and highlighting other key benefits, we included extended information in some of them. To streamline the impacts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions clearer, we elaborated self-explanatory sentences on the calculations and the Business-as-Usual scenarios. Finally, we modified the project challenges section to better describe what we mean about navigating Colombian political arena and our role of mitigating political risk. Please be advised, Colombia is a country with a long legacy and tradition for enacting The Rule of Law, with Judiciary independence, and is a country Member of United Nations and Organization of American States International Treaties, Accords, and Conventions. |
Arturo Restrepo Aristizabal Dec 18, 2017 01:33 | Proposal creator Complexity is Ecotropics favorite action word. That's why we are so proud by delivering pragmatic resilient solutions on the ground, due to our highly qualified team, that embraces complexity with existing market-based mechanisms. It is worth to note that the MIT Colab existing template do not provide a section asking officially about a budget. Neither a breakdown section of how a specific budget will be used. Indeed, we do have extensive and detailed budget data (CAPEX/OPEX) with financial projections over 30 years for our project and program investments. Having said that, we do have a table delving out every specific cost as well as a framework and log frame of a sharing benefit mechanism to farming families. In addition, social and environmental safeguards are required by local and national government to ensure that any project is compliant with Colombia's stringent social and environmental regulations. Colombia spearheads and pioneers the Latin America Carbon Tax system, this circular economics and green growth infrastructure has structured a highly functional Carbon Credit System responding to a National Carbon Tax and Emissions Reductions registrar where up to date has earmarked US $129 millions. This tax funds have been invested on infrastructure ecosystems at watershed level to ensure payments for ecosystems services are well funded, up and running. As a result, of effective climate policy-making, they have reduced 4.3 Millions tons of CO2 which is the expected reduction between 2017 and 2030. Likewise a Carbon Neutral policy has been successfully launched to the corporate sector (i.e. SMB and large-scale corporations) to become zero emissions using climate responsible policies. Thank you to the MIT Colab for letting us participate with this novel and integrated proposal, we are no longer creating solutions, we are delivering ! We look forward to participate in the near future. The Ecotropics Group - Applied Ecology for Tropical Resources Program Inc Washington DC, USA |
