A new report, Plan 4C: A Competitive and Climate Compatible Cartagena outlines the strategies in place for the World Heritage City of Cartagena, Colombia to become an icon of climate compatible development, where the risk of climate change is converted into an opportunity for development.

The future of Cartagena is uncertain and vulnerable to climate change. Even a 2C increase in temperatures will likely raise sea levels in the area by 60cm by 2040. Further risks of drought, and increased rainfall have motivated action to prevent such events unfolding and hampering the future of its citizens.

The vision of Plan 4C is that by 2040, Cartagena de Indias will be recognised as a city that is a model of urban and coastal planning based on climate compatible development: where adaptation and mitigation measures will reduce indices of vulnerability to climate change, improve efficiency of public investment, the quality of life of its inhabitants and the competitiveness of its sectors.

This is a bold, clear and ambitious vision but the business, community and local government of Cartagena are committed to achieving adaptation and mitigation measures that reduce indices of vulnerability to climate change, improve efficiency of public investment, the quality of life of its inhabitants and the competitiveness of its sectors.

Seldom do we see the opportunities that come with climate change being grasped with both hands like the example of Cartagena.  A city that thrives off its port and tourism for economic growth and stability is, via Plan 4C, holding climate change at the heart of its planning and decision-making while simultaneously bringing about opportunity for its citizens, many of whom still fall below the poverty line and are most vulnerable to the risks of a warmer climate.

Five strategies are outlined in this new report which detail how Cartagena - the first coastal city to have created a long-term vision in which the future climate will be an opportunity for economic development - are achieving climate compatible development:

1. Climate compatible ports and industries
2. Tourism sector committed to climate change
3. Protection of historic heritage
4. Neighbourhoods adapted to climate change
5. Ecosystem-based adaptation

Read the full report here to find out more about the Plan 4C story.