Santiago, Chile, December 2024 – Three Chilean municipalities will receive expert support in developing critical climate action plans through a new partnership between Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) and leading Chilean research institutions. The initiative, "Strengthening Capacities and Civic Participation for Climate-Resilient Communities in Chile," will help municipalities meet requirements under Chile's 2022 Climate Change Framework Law while strengthening local climate resilience.
The partnership unites Columbia's NCDP, the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP), the Columbia Global Center in Santiago, the Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR2), and the Institute for Disaster Resilience (Itrend) to support the municipalities of Alto del Carmen (Atacama Region), Coquimbo (Coquimbo Region), and San José de Maipo (Metropolitan Region of Santiago).
These municipalities emerged from a competitive selection process involving 65 applicants. Selection criteria included each region's socio-ecological significance, climate change vulnerability, environmental challenges, and demonstrated commitment to climate action.
The program is funded by Columbia Global through Columbia World Projects, a Columbia University initiative that mobilizes researchers and experts to collaborate with governments, organizations, businesses, and communities to address pressing global challenges.
A Participatory Approach to Climate Resilience
Chile’s Climate Change Framework Law mandates that all municipalities develop PACCCs by June 2025. However, many local governments face financial and human resource challenges in meeting this requirement. In response, the project will provide technical assistance to the three mentioned municipalities, integrating strategies for climate adaptation and disaster resilience into local plans. The initiative also emphasizes community engagement by encouraging the participation of local leaders and residents in decision-making processes related to climate impacts.
“Climate change compels us to broaden our development perspective and strengthen coordination across sectors and levels of government. The Climate Change Framework Law represents a significant opportunity in this regard, but many local governments lack the resources and capacity to carry out inclusive, effective, and integrated planning processes. This project aims to fill that gap by supporting municipalities in creating their climate action plans while also empowering communities to participate actively in these processes. It’s an opportunity for local governments, community leaders, and citizens to work together to develop adaptive solutions that effectively address climate challenges and contribute to realizing the resilience goals and visions set by the communities,” said Antonia Samur, project manager and Senior Staff Associate at Columbia University’s NCDP.
This initiative will be carried out in two phases: the first, from October 2024 to June 2025, will focus on developing the PACCCs; the second, from July 2025 to June 2026, will accompany the implementation and monitoring of these plans.
For more information about the project, click here.
About the Participating Organizations
Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP): Part of Columbia’s Climate School, the NCDP focuses on enhancing preparedness, response, and recovery capacities for disasters. Its work emphasizes the readiness of governmental and non-governmental systems, community engagement, and addressing the vulnerabilities of at-risk populations.
The Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation (GSAPP): at Columbia University is one of the world’s leading academic institutions in its field. With an interdisciplinary approach, GSAPP trains professionals to address complex challenges in design, urbanism, sustainable development, and the preservation of built heritage. Through its research and academic programs, it fosters innovative and sustainable solutions for global communities.
Columbia Global Center Santiago (CGC): One of Columbia University’s 11 global centers, the CGC Santiago serves as a physical and intellectual gateway for the university’s engagement with the world. Drawing from Columbia’s world-class research and resources, the center focuses on topics such as climate change, journalism, and the humanities, among others. The Global Centers are part of Columbia Global, which brings together major global initiatives from across the university to advance knowledge and foster global engagement. In addition to the Global Centers, those initiatives include the Committee on Global Thought, Columbia World Projects, and the Institute for Ideas and Imagination.
Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR2): A Center of Excellence funded by Fondap/ANID, CR2 is led by the University of Chile in partnership with Universidad Austral and Universidad de Concepción. CR2 specializes in interdisciplinary research on the impacts of climate change on Chile’s ecosystems and society, focusing on applied science for climate adaptation and mitigation.
Institute for Disaster Resilience (Itrend): Itrend works on developing strategies to reduce vulnerability to disasters while promoting resilience at both local and national levels. Its multidisciplinary team collaborates with government agencies, industry, academia, and civil society to achieve its objectives.
For more information, please contact:
Carla Magri: [email protected]
Gemita Navarrete: [email protected]
Michael Lieberherr: [email protected]