Bolivia
USAID’s climate change activities in Bolivia promote sustainable land use and forestry management practices, improve the management of parks and protected areas, and support redesign of industrial production processes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Local capacity building, training, and public-private partnerships that promote environmental and resource protection are important strategies in these endeavors.
Background
Bolivia is richly endowed with natural resources, with forest resources greater than those of Mexico and Central America combined. This abundance of natural capital is starkly contrasted with the significant development challenges Bolivia faces including income inequality, social exclusion, lack of opportunity and conflict.
In addressing these issues USAID’s program in Bolivia focuses on: improving the effectiveness, responsiveness and transparency of democratic institutions; increasing economic opportunities for the poor; improving community health practices and services; enhancing the sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity management; and promoting the social and economic development of rural farm families to reduce illicit coca production.
Sector-Specific Climate Change Activities
USAID’s environment program seeks to improve forestry management; conserve biologically significant parks, protected areas, and landscapes; and reduce urban and industrial pollution through improved environmental management.
Reduced Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Land Use Sector
Under the BOLFOR II project, USAID/Bolivia promotes the sustainable use of Bolivia’s rich natural resources while at the same time addressing a number of root causes of instability and conflict in Bolivian society by increasing jobs for Bolivians, generating more economic growth, improving democratic practices at the local level, and enhancing inclusion of historically marginalized indigenous populations. Specifically, BOLFOR II is working to: improve business practices to increase forestry exports; broaden the benefits of forestry by including more community forest operations; and conserve Bolivia’s forest lands by engaging municipalities and generating local economic development through community forestry. This activity contributes to climate change through conserving carbon stocks by promoting sustainable use and protection of Bolivia’s natural tropical forest resources. Activities include improved timber management through promoting best logging practices, forest fire tracking and management, and promotion of forest certification. Conservation of the Bolivian forest lands is also achieved by engaging municipalities and generating local economic development through community forestry, ensuring land rights are clear, addressing issues of illegal logging through improvements to the regulatory system, and promoting better private business practices.
One of the goals of the BOLFOR II program is to increase benefits to communities from their forest resources within the framework of Bolivia’s existing Forestry Law. By increasing benefits to communities through legitimate and sustainable enterprises, the program helps to avoid illegal logging which causes environmental damage and biodiversity loss, and undermines Bolivia’s globally recognized success in sustainable forest management. USAID’s efforts in 2007 ensured that indigenous communities strengthened their ability to participate in local, regional, and national chains of production, and receive fair compensation for their products and services. Specifically, USAID helped over 36 indigenous community forest operations put almost 800,000 hectares of forest lands under sustainable management; and increasing family income generated from forestry activities by 30% over the last year.
The U.S. Forest Service provides technical assistance in forestry, information, and forest policy directly supporting the effective implementation of USAID/Bolivia’s forestry program. U.S. Forest Service’s assistance has helped establish wood processing protocols, wood analyses, integrated forest management, and sustainable forest road rehabilitation and construction. Additionally, training and workshops have strengthened Bolivia’s capacity to prevent and manage forest fires, and develop lumber drying protocols. These activities contribute directly to conserving carbon stocks and avoiding greenhouse gas emissions.
Partners
USAID’s partners in climate change activities in Bolivia include:
- Centro Amazonio de Desarrollo Forestal (CADEFOR)
- Centro de Promoción de Tecnologías Sostenibles (CPTS)
- Conservation International (CI)
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Because partners change as new activities arise, this list of partners is not comprehensive.
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