Risaralda seeks to become Colombia's first carbon-neutral department

The department of Risaralda, Colombia, is pursuing a goal to become the first department in the country to achieve carbon neutrality certification. The initiative involves measuring carbon footprints, improving energy efficiency, promoting sustainable mobility, and managing solid waste.

Led by the firm Civiforest with resources from the General Royalty System and in coordination with Empresas Públicas de Risaralda, the project engages 32 public entities across 11 municipalities. These include fire departments, local governments, and various utility companies. To reach neutrality, entities must mitigate their emissions through carbon credits or bonds, which fund the conservation of protected ecosystems and certified forests.