Executing entities: © World Bank | Flore de Preneuf Location: Colombia Dates: 2012–2020 Ecosystem: Terrestrial production landscape Silvopastoral Systems for Climate Change Context Colombia is a biodiversity hotspot, with forests and natural ecosystems covering over half the country. However, unsustainable land use is driving ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, with the agricultural sector alone producing 38% of Colombia’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Whilst cattle ranching employs 28% of the rural population, it provides poor livelihoods for small farms and is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.Prevailing livestock techniques also leave land degraded and unproductive, forcingfarmers onto new land and contributing towards more deforestation and biodiversity loss. Silvopastoral systems (SPS) integrate agroforestry with livestock farming and can increasethe efficiency of cattle production, whilst providing substantial environmental benefits.However, there is limited uptake of SPS across Colombia due to a lack of knowledge,high initial costs and technical complexity. This project aimed to demonstrate howSPS can reduce GHG emissions, reduce poverty and provide environmentalbenefits, to promote wider uptake of SPS across Colombia. Project objectives: To convert approximately 28,000 ha of open pasture into SPS in seven regions of Colombia. To determine if SPS can reduce GHG emissions and deforestation caused by cattle ranching. To make SPS accessible for small and medium scale farmers to reduce poverty across society. To promote wider adoption of SPS in Colombia. Funding: Co-funded by the UK’s ICF Fund: £15.3 million (GBP). Built on previous work initiated through funding from the Global Environment Facility: $7 million (USD). Mitigation and Poverty Alleviation in Colombia’s Livestock Sector with four project partners Federación Colombianade Ganaderos Nature-based Solution: Silvopastoral agroforestry systems Biodiversity Intervention areashad a 32% increase in birds and a 47% increase in beetles. Climate Mitigated over 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. People Enhanced livelihoods on 4,100 farms, increasing incomesby as much as$523 (USD)/ha/year. Achievements as of 2019: 154