The SCALA and Future Landscapes projects of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) focus on sustainable land management and resilient farming methods to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. During visits to the project areas in the departments of La Guajira and Casanare, as well as discussions with government institutions and the private sector in Bogotá from January 13-20, 2026, members of the International Climate Adaptation Division of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety – BMUKN, learned about the progress of both projects and the current and future challenges.
In La Guajira, SCALA’s focus is on the creation of community demonstration centers (CDCs) in ten communities of the Wayúu indigenous population. The CDCs grow vegetables and fruits for human consumption, as well as pasture for raising goats, combining traditional agricultural practices and new techniques adapted to climate change.
The Future Landscapes project aims to establish models of regenerative agriculture that take into account local conditions and use natural ecosystems to increase value. The direct impact in the Orinoco region alone extends to 17,000 hectares along the meat, milk and palm oil value chains, with a focus on traditional practices.
The visit showed the great commitment of the executing entities; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – FAO, the United Nations Development Program – UNDP and The Nature Conservancy – TNC, as well as the indigenous and local communities that have transformed their agricultural practices in a sustainable manner. It also highlighted the great pressure to which both regions are subjected, caused by climate change, as well as by economic and political interests.