The Gran Chaco Pathways Towards a Sustainable Future 2025

Such approaches rely on specific metrics and monitoring mechanisms to assess their impact, ensuring measurable progress.106 A noteworthy example is the PCI (Produce, Conserve, Include)107 strategy implemented in Mato Grosso, Brazil, which integrates public and private stakeholders to balance agricultural production with environmental preservation and the social and economic inclusion of local communities. Drawing lessons from PCI, the Gran Chaco could adopt similar approaches to harmonize conservation outcomes with economic opportunities, benefiting ecosystems, supply chains and local communities. Enhance tri-national governance and international collaboration Strengthening and establishing new cooperation mechanisms among the countries sharing the Gran Chaco is essential to addressing the ecological and socio-economic challenges in the region and preventing the displacement of negative environmental and social impacts to less regulated and protected areas. Developing a tri-national governance framework can enable integrated natural resource management, promote conservation and ensure coherent and effective policies across all participating countries, fostering an aligned approach that transcends national boundaries. Inspired by the Pan-Amazonian framework – which encompasses all countries that share the Amazon biome, including Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname – a Pan-Chaco initiative could serve as a unified governance mechanism to align development and conservation strategies while respecting and valuing the plurinational identity of the biome and its people. The Amazon region has demonstrated the effectiveness of such cooperation through initiatives like INPE’s satellite monitoring systems, which provide real-time data on deforestation and land use108 and the Forum of Pan-Amazonian Cities, which connects local governments to coordinate sustainable urban and rural development within the Amazon biome.109 This collaborative effort can enhance land-use planning and ensure that sustainability initiatives deliver positive outcomes for biodiversity and local communities. Additionally, partnerships with international organizations, NGOs and governments committed to sustainability should be forged. International funding, technical support and regulatory alignment can ensure continuity even amid local policy changes.Leverage private sector commitment Private sector players, particularly global companies and local leaders in the beef and soy value chains, should adopt sustainable practices that explicitly include the Gran Chaco in their commitments and scope of work. Incorporate environmental criteria in trade agreements Exporters, importers, Mercosur negotiators and chambers of commerce should include environmental clauses in trade contracts. The EU-Mercosur agreement serves as a key example, incorporating not only requirements related to broader environmental standards but also mechanisms to reward compliance through improved market access. This approach highlights the potential to align trade policies with sustainability goals, ensuring that environmental considerations are integral to international trade negotiations. Boost infrastructure and productivity while preserving the region’s ecological balance Water availability and infrastructure are two critical factors shaping development in the Gran Chaco. Despite its arid and semi-arid conditions, the region holds significant water storage potential, with Mennonite communities pioneering efficient water harvesting and retention systems – essential for sustaining agriculture and livestock across Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. At the same time, infrastructure development, particularly in Paraguay, is advancing, with projects like the Bi-Oceanic Corridor set to transform regional connectivity. This corridor, linking the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, presents both economic opportunities and conservation risks. To maximize benefits while safeguarding the biome, strategic planning and coordinated action among governments, the private sector and multilateral organizations are crucial. Integrating infrastructure expansion with sustainable land-use policies and improved water management will be key to enhancing productivity while preserving the region’s ecological balance. Inspired by the Pan-Amazonian framework, a Pan- Chaco initiative could serve as a unified governance mechanism to align development and conservation strategies. The Gran Chaco: Pathways Towards a Sustainable Future 45