Coal mining activity has been a key piece in Colombia’s economic puzzle for decades. Its macroeconomic contributions and its fundamental role in the development of producing regions such as La Guajira and Cesar They have been undeniable. However, the signing of international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement in 2015has placed Colombia at a crossroads, forcing it to rethink its dependence on thermal coal for the sake of the energy transition and the fight against climate change.
During the five-year period from 2016 to 2020, coal mining represented on average 1% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 16% of Colombian exports. These numbers are magnified in producing regions such as La Guajira and Cesar, where coal contributes more than 35% of GDP and 70% of exports. These data paint a telling picture of the economic importance of coal for these regions. (MME, 2021).
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However, the environmental implications and the international commitments acquired by Colombia have raised alarms about the sustainability of this dependency. The signature of Paris Agreement marked a firm commitment to make concrete changes in the energy matrix and take measures significant to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change. This involves a gradual reduction in thermal coal production and a transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
This paradigm shift poses a crucial challenge for departments highly dependent on coal, such as Cesar and La Guajira. The need to diversify production and prepare for an eventual energy transition becomes imperative. The window of opportunity is still open, and it is crucial to take advantage of it to plan and execute in an organized manner an economic transformation that not only replaces dependence on coalbut also generates a positive impact on the sustainable development of the region.
AN OPPORTUNITY
The upcoming productive diversification implies the revitalization of economic sectors other than mining. Deconcentrating the productive matrix and redistributing labor and capital markets becomes the roadmap to a more sustainable future. Therefore, it is essential that departmental and local governments, citizens, business associations and academia join in a collective effort to bet with determination on sectors such as tourism and agribusiness.
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In this context, the newly elected leaders find themselves faced with a valuable opportunity and an unavoidable responsibility. The new political landscape offers the unique possibility of incorporating a specific chapter in your government plans, dedicated exclusively to the energy transition and diversification of these regions. This inclusion will not only allow the conception, but also the execution of strategies, projects and policies. public services designed to address in a focused manner the critical needs of these areas and their long-term sustainability.
Finally, despite the challenges of the transition, these departments undoubtedly have the capacity to forge a more prosperous and sustainable future. The key lies in embracing a development model that not only safeguards our environment, but also promotes job creation and raises the quality of life of current and future generations. And the time to build that future is now.
This is how local events such as those proposed by the Andean Area University Foundation Valledupar headquarters, in cooperation with the consulting firm Ir-Consulting, the University of La Guajira and the Regional Center for Sustainable Finance of the University of Los Andes In agreement with UK Pact -Colombia, they open dynamic spaces to bring the National Government, the new local leaders, the authorities and territorial planning bodies, the academy and citizens in general closer to dialogue around the Just Energy Transition, Productive Diversification and Territorial Development Plans.
These meetings will take place next March 14 in Valledupar at the headquarters of the Andean Area University Foundationand on March 15 in Riohacha at the headquarters of the University of La Guajira. An added value of this meeting will be the delivery of the guide “Energy transition and productive diversification in territorial development plans: the role and strategic issues of territorial entities”.
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