5. South America

Abstract

This document references key aspects of selected regulation issued in Colombia during 2017 regarding protection of the environment. Therefore, the following document presents laws, decrees, and resolutions issued by the Colombian Congress and Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, from the approval of international treaties (the Paris Agreement) to the delimitation of new areas of páramos or wetlands of international importance. The Paris Agreement was approved by Law 1844 of 2017. Colombia subscribed to the Paris Agreement adopted at the twenty-first Conference of the Parties (COP-21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 2015. According to Colombia’s commitments derived from Paris Agreement, the country must meet an unconditional reduction target of 20 percent of its projected greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Decree 585 of 2017 establishes the National Water Council, which aims to coordinate and articulate the policies, plans, and programs of the public entities with the National Policy for the management of water resources.