Andes

The Mira and Mataje binational rivers’ basins, shared by Ecuador and Colombia, are part of the Tropical Andes and the Chocó biogeographical region, making them one of the world’s most biodiverse and threatened areas. SDSN Andes works to strengthen biodiversity protection in the region. In collaboration with partner organizations in both countries, it has created and published a comprehensive biodiversity database, supported the identification of new species, helped establish and promote a binational conservation strategy, and launched Wiki Mira Mataje, an online information platform designed to expand knowledge and democratize access to information on this critical biodiversity hotspot.

In today’s hyperconnected world, countries affect one another in multiple ways, with significant implications for their progress toward the SDGs. SDSN Andes contributes to the evaluation of SDG-Spillover Effects, from supporting early conceptual definitions, to performing country-level assessments, and contributing to global policy briefs that help to inform and strengthen global policy coherence, thus, transforming concepts into evidence and actionable ideas for decision-makers.

SDSN Andes seeks to help identify and implement solutions to catalyze the energy transition and transform the current linear economy into a truly sustainable circular system, while assessing impacts through the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus. In this context, SDSN Andes advocates for sustainable transitions. During the 16th United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, SDSN Andes chaired a panel titled, “Threats to Biodiversity from Climate Change and the Energy Transition," highlighting the need to ensure that the shift away from fossil fuels respects and safeguards biodiversity.