Solving with Nature ANNUAL REPORT ATLANTIC Gulf of Mexico OCEAN
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2018 LATIN AMERICA Solving with Nature ANNUAL REPORT ATLANTIC Gulf of Mexico OCEAN MEXICO BELIZE HONDURAS Caribbean Sea GUATEMALA Nature’s NICARAGUA EL SALVADOR COSTA RICA PACIFIC OCEAN PANAMA Powerhouse COLOMBIA ECUADOR Latin America is a land of superlatives: from the vast Amazon basin to frozen glaciers high in the Andes, the region holds a third of the PERU world’s fresh water. Its wonders include the largest rainforest on BRAZIL the planet, the mightiest river, the highest waterfall and the longest mountain range. The region holds a quarter of the world’s forests BOLIVIA and is home to more plant and animal species than any other place CONTENTS in the world. PARAGUAY 6 Protect Land and Water This unparalleled natural wealth has fueled Latin America’s Our Legacy and Our Future economies, and—as we hurtle toward a world with 10 billion CHILE people—will play a pivotal role in meeting global demand for food, 16 Tackle Climate Change Nature’s Path to a Stable Climate water and energy. Latin America’s immense forests—powerful storehouses of carbon that filter our air and regulate our climate— ARGENTINA 28 Produce Food and Water Sustainably are essential to the health of our warming planet. Feeding our World, Saving our Planet Simply put, there is no place more important—for plant and Latin America animal diversity, for climate regulation and for the global 40 Build Healthy Cities is the world’s most Thirsty Cities Turn to Nature biodiverse region economy—than Latin America. 16% The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been working in the region Across Latin America, four strategic priorities of Earth’s Land surface unite us: protecting land and water, tackling for the past four decades. Built upon a strong foundation of science, climate change, providing food and water sustainably, and building healthy cities. 40% partnerships and field innovation, TNC’s work in Latin America of all species is advancing collaborative conservation solutions to address our N world’s toughest challenges. 0 500 mi 25% of all forests 0 500 km 30% of all fresh water ON THE COVER: A native tree sapling is prepared for planting in the Mantiqueira range of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Reforestation is a powerful tool in the race to stop climate change. © FELIPE FITTIPALDI 2 | THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 2018 LATIN AMERICA ANNUAL REPORT | 3 ne of our sons believes his Ochildren—our grandchildren—will ask: “Why didn’t you do more about climate change when you had the chance?” Latin America’s vast forests are critical to slowing climate change and are core to The Nature Conservancy’s worldwide strategies. We support TNC specifically because its conservation work cares for the world our grandchildren will inherit. We want our grandchildren to be proud of how we have helped. — Joyce and Les Coleman Joyce is Chair of TNC’s Global Ambassadors and Trustee of the Maine Chapter After decades of turning forests into pasturelands, Brazilian farmers are reversing the trend. Itamar da Silva, a farmer in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, has safeguarded native forests on his land and adopted sustainable practices that combine crops and native trees. 4 | THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 2018 LATIN AMERICA© FELIPE ANNUALFITTIPALDI REPORT | 5 Solving with Nature Defining our Legacy Latin America, the world’s most biodiverse rations, governments and civic society orga- Our world is standing at a crossroads between two paths, and region, is at a turning point. Climate change, nizations, finance institutions and develop- the choice we make today will define the legacy we leave for biodiversity loss, alarming deforestation, ment agencies, producers and researchers. future generations. and overexploitation of oceans are straining Our long-standing ability to leverage If we stay on the “business as usual” path, we face increasing the very natural systems that are critical resources and knowledge is key to our suc- environmental challenges that will affect all our lives deeply, for our survival. But nature itself, with its cess. We use private investments to mobilize such as declining water and food security. But there is another mighty regenerative power, holds the key to ever-greater commitments for conservation way, a sustainable path, where people recognize nature’s role in addressing some of our world’s most press- and capitalize upon our standing in the mar- improving their lives and decide to take better care of it. As Co- ing challenges. ketplace of ideas to push best practices. Chair of the Latin America Conservation Council (LACC), I am © ANA GARCIA/TNC Today, more than ever, we must work Given the magnitude and urgency of the © ERIKA NORTEMANN committed to working with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to with nature, instead of against it. And today, challenge, our strategy is to rapidly replicate chart the course for the sustainable path. more than ever, we must work together. successful models—figuring out what works Conservation and economic development are inseparable. Across Latin America, The Nature on a large scale and encouraging others, We need to work on both, simultaneously, for the effects to Conservancy (TNC) is harnessing innova- through market and regulatory incentives, be truly lasting. This conviction inspires LACC members to tion, creativity and partnerships to chart the to follow suit. In Latin America’s cities, recruit other influential leaders in the political, corporate, course to a sustainable pathway. We are us- home to 80 percent of the region’s popu- financial, and social sectors to endorse and invest in scaling ing the power of nature to restore the health lation, we are making major strides in this the benefits of TNC’s nature-based solutions. of our soils and oceans, so they may continue direction with water. Pioneered in Ecuador, Whether preventing floods, growing more food, capturing nourishing our planet. We are working with the Water Fund model has been adapted in carbon, or ensuring water flows to our growing cities, TNC’s farmers and agribusinesses to transform the 11 countries from the United States to China work in Latin America is unleashing the power of nature and way we grow our food to be more productive to Kenya. This year, we launched a Water the ingenuity of people to make a more sustainable future a on less land. We are tapping technology Fund Accelerator in Colombia to test the reality. to help plan infrastructure with the least feasibility of doubling Water Funds in half There is a lot at stake, and yet these are hopeful times. environmental impact. We are integrating the time, at half the cost. As you will see in this report, we are making progress bring- traditional knowledge and science to steer None of this would be possible without ing people together to drive change across food production development away from ecological and cul- your support and the tireless efforts of our systems, watersheds, and energy grids for sustainable develop- tural assets. We are galvanizing partnerships 300 staff who bring their passion, expertise ment with significant climate benefits, thus helping countries to launch massive reforestation projects that and commitment to our mission each day. reach their Paris commitments. translate climate commitments into action We hope that the accomplishments high- We are grateful for your support at this crucial moment. while creating jobs and boosting economies. lighted in this report inspire you. We depend We all have a part to play in choosing the path forward for our Collaboration is the common thread on—and are grateful for—your support as we planet. Only together can we create a new paradigm of devel- running through each of our actions. The work together, solving with nature, our most opment with conservation. Please join us! changes the world needs can only come critical challenges. about through the efforts of many actors: local communities and multinational corpo- Sérgio Rial CEO, Grupo Santander, Brazil Santiago Gowland Co-Chair, Latin America Conservation Council Executive Vice President for Global Innovation laconservationcouncil.org and Managing Director for Latin America Region The Nature Conservancy 6 | THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 2018 LATIN AMERICA ANNUAL REPORT | 7 PROTECT LAND AND WATER Our Legacy and Our Future The Nature Conservancy has been pioneering ways to protect Latin America’s lands and waters for the past four decades. That spirit of innovation and bold vision that propelled our very first “debt-for-nature” “ We have a great swap to support the conservation of Braulio Carillo National Park in Costa Rica in 1988, continues to opportunity to guide us today. build a legacy for Through a combination of old-fashioned protec- our children and tion, cutting-edge science and innovative part- grandchildren if nerships, we have helped safeguard some of the we work together region’s most iconic places, from the sun-soaked with governments, coasts of Baja California to the windswept grass- corporations, lands of Patagonia. We partner with indigenous peoples and local communities and communities to strengthen their rights and roles as conservationists and environmental stewards. We engage corporations use science to make and governments to apply smart infrastructure nature a full partner siting principles to ensure the $3 trillion predicted in our development.” to be spent on Latin America infrastructure over the Roberto Hernandez coming decade advances economic, community Member of the Latin America and environmental objectives. We spur the creation Conservation Council of novel financial models and forward-thinking poli- cies to amplify the scale and speed of conservation. A student at the Amazon Indigenous Training Center Protecting lands and waters is our legacy and in the Brazilian Amazon, Manaus, Brazil. Indigenous our future. peoples’ long-standing knowledge of natural systems makes them vital and inspirational allies in the pursuit of a sustainable future.