Colombia and the IPDC

Colombia faces diverse climate and water challenges linked to its geography, which includes Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, large river systems and vulnerable low‑lying areas. Climate change is intensifying risks such as flooding, drought, landslides and coastal erosion. Shifts in rainfall patterns affect water availability for cities, agriculture and ecosystems, while sea level rise and changing coastal dynamics threaten coastal settlements and infrastructure.

Focus and priorities

In 2025 and 2026, IPDC support to Colombia focuses on strengthening the implementation of projects for climate adaptation, with particular attention to water and coastal related risks. This support is organised around three complementary strands:

Building capacity for coastal erosion management

Through a dedicated training programme on modelling, monitoring, and institutional approaches to coastal erosion, IPDC strengthens technical and decision‑making capacity across Colombian institutions.

Understanding coastal erosion at scale

IPDC supports large‑scale analysis of coastal erosion in the southern Colombian Caribbean, providing region‑wide insights into shoreline dynamics, future scenarios, and priority risk areas to inform long‑term planning.

Exploring Nature-based Solutions in island contexts

In the San Andrés and Providencia Islands, IPDC advances applied research, field assessments, and technical analysis to explore locally relevant solutions with an ecosystem-based approach for coastal erosion and risk management.

Across all three strands, activities combine technical studies, field work, capacity development, and knowledge exchange, and count with the participation of national, regional, and local stakeholders, bringing together international expertise and local knowledge.

Coordination and support

IPDC activities in Colombia are coordinated with national institutions, research organisations and local partners. Through flexible support tools, technical assistance and collaboration across sectors, the IPDC contributes to strengthening Colombia’s capacity to move towards the implementation of climate adaptation actions that are robust, inclusive and forward‑looking.

Want to know more about IPDC support in Colombia?