Colombia

Overall rating: Highly insufficient

Policies & actions: Insufficient; < 3°C World

Internationally supported target: Highly insufficient; < 4°C World

Fair share target: Insufficient; < 3°C World

Climate finance: Not applicable

Net zero target: year
2050; Comprehensiveness not rated as
Information incomplete

Land use & forestry: historically considered a
Source

Summary

We evaluate Colombia’s net zero target as: Target information incomplete.

In April 2021, Colombia announced its Colombia Carbon Neutral strategy with 2050 as the target year, but provided few details about it (Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible Colombia, 2021a). According to the “Estrategia 2050” (E2050) website, a full strategy was due to be released in the first half of 2021, but, as of September 2021, the full strategy had not been released (Gobierno de Colombia, 2020a).

A full assessment of the net zero target is not possible given the preliminary status of net zero announcement.

A concrete strategy and timeline that clearly states the sectors and emissions included in its net zero target, along with intermediate targets on the path to 2050, are needed to effectively assess Colombia’s net zero target.

Scope

Target year: 2050

Emissions coverage

No information on the target’s emission coverage

International aviation and shipping

No information on the target’s intention to cover international aviation and shipping

Reductions or removals outside of own borders

Provides no information on intention to use international offset credits to meet net zero

Architecture

Legal Status

Net zero target announced

Separate reduction & removal targets

No information on intention to separate emission reduction and removal targets

Review Process

Country provides no information on its intention to establish a review cycle for its net zero and intermediate targets (note: this option applies to countries that have only announced a target, with no accompanying law / policy)

Transparency

Carbon dioxide removal

No information on intention to communicate transparent assumptions on carbon dioxide removals

Comprehensive planning

Country provides no information on anticipated pathways or measures

Clarity on fairness of target

Country provides no information on its intention to explain the target’s fairness.

CAT analysis of net zero target

Ten key elements

Scope

Target year – Colombia aims to reach net zero by 2050.
Emissions coverage – Colombia’s target is described as ‘carbon neutrality’ which could mean CO₂ only; however we find its intention is unclear.
International aviation and shipping – No information available.
Reductions or removals outside of own borders – No information available.

Target architecture

Legal status –Colombia released its initial net zero strategy in April 2021 (Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible Colombia, 2021b). It is working on a complete strategy at the moment. Colombia has not submitted an LTS to the UNFCCC.
Separate reduction & removal targets – No information available.
Review process – No information available.

Transparency

Carbon dioxide removal – No information available.
Comprehensive planning – Colombia has provided a general planning roadmap and timeline for developing its net zero strategy on its E2050 website (Gobierno de Colombia, 2020b). Some deadlines indicated on the website have not been met. Colombia has not yet released any information on interim targets or decarbonisation pathways.
Clarity on fairness of target – No information available.

Good practice

The Climate Action Tracker has defined the following good practice for all ten key elements of net zero targets. Countries can refer to this good practice to design or enhance their net zero targets.