CDKN and the Development Bank for Latin America 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.

Cooperative agreements for ecosystem services have become increasingly important tools for reducing conflicts. These agreements include voluntary cooperation, corporate-private agreements and Payments for Environmental Services (PES – also known as Payments for Ecosystem Services). Countries as diverse as Costa Rica, Mexico, and China are using national tax revenues to pay citizens to conserve forests and natural vegetation. National forest conservation PES schemes seem perfect precursors for national REDD (Reduced Emissions from Degradation and Deforestation) schemes given their economies of scale for equitable disbursement of benefits to providers of public goods.

Using reliable and verifiable information, this project aims to assess the vulnerability of ecosystems, people and their livelihoods, within the city of Quito, Ecuador, to climate change. The information gathered will underpin an adaptation programme aimed at helping Quito become more resilient.