Nature Positive Cities Efforts to Advance the Tranistion Barranquilla 2025

2 Assessment of the enabling environment 2.2 Governance Overview Barranquilla’s nature management and governance structures include numerous bodies and agencies that manage elements of nature from water bodies to green spaces. These agencies continue to evolve to align more closely with the city’s nature objectives and national and international policies. Various municipal institutions are taking the lead in promoting sustainability and environmental protection in the city. They work with the public parks administration and port management, and they integrate sustainability into the activities of numerous government agencies and departments. Outside the municipal governance structure, the private sector remains a core partner in developing and implementing solutions.Governance operations In the public sector, numerous agencies, bodies and committees influence environmental governance at the city level. These include, but are not limited to: –The Barranquilla Industrial and Port Special District plans, executes and monitors policies and actions, guides the strategic vision and finances positive actions.Districts, as in the case of Barranquilla, are a special category of municipality. The central sector of the District of Barranquilla is administratively organized into secretariats, management departments and offices. It may also create working groups attached to these departments to assist in carrying out institutional tasks. –With this in mind, the district, through the City Management Office, the Secretariat of Urban Control and Public Space, the Planning Secretariat, the Secretariat of Social Management and the Risk Management Office, promotes concrete actions for ecosystem conservation, sustainable territorial planning and the inclusion of environmental programmes in urban planning. This is conducted in accordance with the provisions of its territorial development plan, Barranquilla a Otro Nivel Plan de Desarrollo 2024–2027. –The district, through its Planning Secretariat, monitors and manages development and investment plans, including the implementation of public policies, ensuring that all development is sustainable. Likewise, through the Risk Management Office, it manages disaster risk coordination, guaranteeing risk reduction and ensuring a resilient city by integrating climate change adaptation policies. –The District Sustainability Committee monitors indicators and progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). –The Public Environmental Agency of Barranquilla – Barranquilla Verde – serves as the city’s official environmental authority. It is responsible for leading the formulation, implementation and oversight of policies related to climate, biodiversity and natural resource protection. As the governing body for environmental matters at the municipal level, Barranquilla Verde plays a key role in promoting sustainable land management, ensuring regulatory compliance and advancing actions that strengthen the city’s ecological resilience. –The Corporación Autónoma Regional del Atlántico (CRA) serves as the environmental authority for rural areas, defining strategies and principles for environmental protection. –The Territorial Planning Council creates, monitors and evaluates territorial development plans, ensuring ample citizen engagement in decision-making to align outcomes with local needs. FIGURE 2 Port District of Barranquilla Nature Positive: Cities’ Efforts to Advance the Transition – Barranquilla 21