CDKN and the Development Bank for Latin America (CAF) supported the Carbon Footprint and Water Footprint Projects in three Andean cities- La Paz, Quito and Lima- In order to promote actions for mitigation and adaptation to climate change at the municipal level.

The project was implemented by the consultant Servicios Ambientales S.A. (SASA) of Bolivia, with the follow-up and facilitation of the Latin American Future Foundation (FFLA) of Ecuador, as CDKN Regional Coordinator for Latin America, and in coordination with the Municipal Governments of the cities mentioned.

The cities of the Andean countries are being affected by the impacts of climate change, with the most serious impacts hitting the poorest of the respective populations and peri-urban areas. In addition, greenhouse gases from sectors such as industry, transport, water, sanitation and waste contribute significantly to the problem. As a result of climate change, studies show that the availability of water resources in the cities of La Paz, Quito and Lima is being reduced due to the melting of the Andean glaciers. According to projections, by 2025 climate change could contribute to a 70% increase in people with limited access to water sources in the Andean region, a situation that is exacerbated by the growing trend of urban migration and increasing demand of the water.

Faced with this problem, the project supported the implementation of municipal strategies for mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the cities of La Paz, Lima and Quito, through carbon and water footprints, both at municipal and city level, using these analyses to promote actions to reduce emissions (mitigation) and water management (adaptation) and to share knowledge and promote partnerships between the key players in the public and private sectors, and society as a whole.

Since the project, Action Plans have been produced to guarantee the sustainability of the actions, enhancing the capability of municipal governments to implement climate change strategies in an effective way.

The project thus became the first experience in Latin America to measure "footprints" at the city level. For this, it had the technical support of Carbonfeel - a Spanish network of universities, consultants and experts in the calculation of carbon footprints - and The Water Footprint Network - creators of the concept of water footprint of the University of Twente in the Netherlands.

For more information about the Project please visit the following website: www.huelladeciudades.com

Project funding: £ 212,865

Partners: CAF (co-financier), Municipalities of La Paz, Quito and Lima

Implementing organisation: Environmental Services S.A. Of Bolivia (SASA)