The Gran Chaco Pathways Towards a Sustainable Future 2025

5Call to action Businesses, governments, financial institutions and academia must unite to demonstrate how the Gran Chaco can strengthen economic production alongside ecological protection. The Gran Chaco has achieved significant economic and social development over the past decades, reinforcing its key role in agricultural and livestock production. However, to fully unlock its enormous potential, as outlined in this white paper, it is essential to foster stronger dialogue and collaboration in policy-making and public- private partnerships to ensure a more sustainable and resilient future. Addressing deforestation, soil degradation and land conversion in a balanced manner will not only secure local livelihoods but also align the region with global climate goals. According to the IPCC, achieving sustainability goals requires a focus on conservation, improved production management practices and the restoration of forests and ecosystems – among these strategies, reducing deforestation in tropical regions remains the most cost-effective and impactful approach to climate mitigation.110 The Gran Chaco must not be left behind in this global effort. This challenge is also a profound opportunity. The Gran Chaco has the potential to lead in reconciling economic growth with ecological preservation, demonstrating how sustainable practices can transform a biome into a global model for progress. However, this transformation requires urgent and coordinated action from a coalition of diverse stakeholders, including businesses, governments, financial institutions, local communities and academia.By uniting, stakeholders can amplify their impact, pooling resources and expertise to implement solutions that halt degradation and foster resilience. Collaborative efforts can align regulatory frameworks across national boundaries, promote innovative solutions like traceability systems to combat deforestation and scale-up green financing mechanisms to reward sustainable practices. These actions not only address environmental challenges but also position the Gran Chaco as a destination for international funding and investment in sustainability. Crucially, this coalition must prioritize local engagement, ensuring initiatives respect cultural values, empower communities and deliver tangible economic and social benefits. By fostering shared learning and tailoring solutions to the region’s realities, stakeholders can drive transformative change that benefits people, nature and the planet. The time to act is now. With a unified vision of environmental stewardship, community resilience and economic opportunity, the Gran Chaco can emerge as a leader in sustainable development – offering lasting benefits and a blueprint for global action. According to the IPCC, reducing deforestation in tropical regions remains the most cost-effective and impactful approach to climate mitigation. 46 The Gran Chaco: Pathways Towards a Sustainable Future