Considering these dynamics, a sustainable development framework for the Gran Chaco must address four core challenges: 1. Limited international visibility: The Gran Chaco faces significant challenges due to limited visibility in conservation and sustainable land-use efforts, which hampers the attention and funding required to implement effective policies across all levels. Internationally, this lack of visibility reduces engagement from demand-driven markets and global cooperation, with fewer efforts and resources allocated to the Gran Chaco compared to other biomes in the region. Regionally, it obscures the interconnected risks across biomes, potentially shifting deforestation pressures to less- regulated areas. 2. Local misinformation: At the local level, misinformation about the causes of and solutions to climate change and environmental impacts diminishes efforts, hindering the implementation of effective and sustainable measures to address the challenges facing the biome. 3. Climate vulnerability: Climate change and human activities intensify threats to the Gran Chaco, resulting in heat spikes, prolonged droughts and wildfires that degrade ecosystems, reduce agricultural productivity, threaten biodiversity in the biome and endanger local communities. 4. Institutional instability: Institutional fragility and a lack of resources hinder the effective enforcement of environmental regulations. Frequent institutional changes erode confidence in the political system, leaving the region vulnerable to unsustainable practices and hindering progress toward sustainable development. Addressing these core challenges is key to establishing a framework that fosters the resilience of the Gran Chaco, creates enabling conditions to tackle unsustainable agriculture and land-use change, balances economic development with conservation and empowers local communities in the region. Throughout the following chapters, this white paper will explore the Gran Chaco’s regional and global economic significance, examine the environmental and social challenges within the biome, highlight opportunities for various stakeholders to drive its sustainable development and conclude with a call to action outlining the critical roles each stakeholder should play in this transition. 14 The Gran Chaco: Pathways Towards a Sustainable Future

The Gran Chaco Pathways Towards a Sustainable Future 2025