Colombia | NDC x SDG Insights | SDG Push

How To Read This Report

The NDC x SDG approach focuses on identifying the key interlinkages and pathways through which priority climate actions can accelerate a country’s most vital development goals. In doing so, it helps craft a clear, evidence-based narrative that brings together broad coalitions across government to drive coordinated progress.

The report is divided into four categories of analysis →

NDC x SDG Moment — human progress within planetary boundaries is the next development frontier. This section provides a snapshot of key climate and human development data.
NDC x SDG Alignment — maps climate commitments and national development priorities using custom machine learning tool that draws from an SDG vocabulary of 100k terms.
NDC x SDG Interlinkages — identifies national-level actions through enhanced NDCs that accelerate SDG achievement and advances a robust development case.
Finance & Stimulus — charts fiscal constraints and stimulus opportunities to ensure climate and development policy choices can be advanced with greatest impact.

1. NDC x SDG Moment

This section takes stock of the country’s current climate and sustainable development context, providing a clear snapshot of key climate and human development data and setting the scene to identify climate–development synergies.

As part of their NDC Colombia has set a target of reducing emissions by

169.4 MtCO₂e

(51%)

Human activities are causing significant climate change with severe environmental and socio-economic consequences. Integrating climate action for emissions reduction and enhanced resilience into development strategies can advance human development and provide multiple co-benefits.

All countries are navigating through a period of profound global uncertainty and shrinking development space that is affecting the landscape of global growth. The vulnerability of debt is at its highest level in decades in many developing economies, coinciding with a period when donors are making substantial cuts to aid flows. With these global challenges, it’s important to leverage finance and resources nationally to drive development prior

Colombia is in the high human development category (83rd of 193 countries) and the country’s IMF Adapted ND-GAIN index indicates vulnerability to climate disruptions and challenges to leveraging investments to adaptation actions.. With a score of 9.3/100 for projected emissions levels in 2050, Colombia is making progress towards achieving carbon neutrality. Colombia’s projected Biodiversity Intactness Index indicates a low impact on biodiversity in 2050.

Colombia’s National Development Plan 2022–2026 aims for inclusive growth by reducing social gaps, promoting regional equity, and advancing a green economy. It focuses on health, education, housing, rural development, innovation, and climate resilience, with citizen participation and environmental sustainability as key foundations. The plan commits to cutting emissions by 51% by 2030 through renewable energy, reducing deforestation, and improving infrastructure, linking climate goals with poverty reduction and biodiversity protection.

Sources European Commission 2023 (INFORM Climate Change Risk Index), IMF 2022 (IMF-Adapted ND-GAIN Index); Environmental Performance Index 2024 (GHG growth rate adjusted by emissions intensity & Projected Emissions in 2050); Helen Phillips; Adriana De Palma; Ricardo E Gonzalez; Sara Contu et al. 2021 (Biodiversity Intactness Index).

NDC x SDG Alignment

Goal Level

This analysis shows the most prominent SDGs in each of the two national strategies on climate and development. This identifies areas of common action and potential synergies across national climate and development priorities.

Nationally Determined Contributon (NDC)

Note: Based on Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (2020)

National Development Plan(s) (NDP)

Note: Based on National Development Plan 2022-2026

These visuals are generated by analyzing the NDCs and National Development Plans through the SDG framework at goal level.

NDC x SDG Alignment

Target Level

This analysis shows how the country’s climate actions, both mitigation and adaptation, align with and drive impact across the SDGs at the target level.

Mitigation NDCs

Adaptation NDCs

These visuals are generated by analyzing NDC actions through a custom-built AI tool and categorized using the SCAN tool to surface relevant SDG synergies at the Goal level. For additional information on the NDC-SDG mapping, please visit: https://ambitiontoaction.net/scan_tool/

NDC x SDG Alignment

Action Level

This section breaks down the NDC categories into specific country commitments identified through a custom-built AI tool. The bubble sizes show how many actions fall under each category, helping pinpoint where NDC–SDG acceleration is most likely.

Colombia 's NDC includes actions in these sectors:

Mitigation

Adaptation

3. NDC x SDG Interlinkages

NDC x SDG interlinkages reveal how climate actions can impact human development progress. Building from the country's NDC actions and SDG priorities, the following integrated SDG pathways reflect NDC actions with the most potential to accelerate the SDGs.

SDG 1.2

Reduce poverty by at least 50%

The implementation of these actions contributes to SDG target 1.2 by reducing multidimensional poverty through nature-based solutions and informed adaptation. Enhancing climate data systems supports targeted policies; restoring ecosystems protects livelihoods, improves food security, and reduces vulnerability in rural and coastal communities, enabling more resilient, sustainable development for populations most at risk of falling deeper into poverty.

Achieving these actions will yield broad co-benefits. Enhanced climate data supports SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 11 (resilient cities) by enabling informed planning. Ecosystem restoration advances SDG 15 (life on land) and SDG 14 (life below water), improving biodiversity and coastal resilience. Sustainable mangrove management also supports SDG 6 (clean water) by improving filtration and further strengthens mitigation-adaptation synergies through nature-based solutions.

SDG target 1.2, which aims to reduce multidimensional poverty, connects strongly with several development priorities. It can accelerate SDG 11.6 by fostering cleaner, healthier environments for vulnerable populations; SDG 16.3 by reducing poverty-related justice gaps; and SDG 16.6 by promoting more responsive and inclusive institutions. Together, these targets reinforce the need for integrated social, environmental, and governance solutions to ensure sustainable and equitable development.

Priority NDC Activities

Activity 1

Develop over 80% of the Integrated Information System to assess climate vulnerability, risk, and track national adaptation progress, linked to SNICC.

Activity 2

Restore, rehabilitate, and/or recover 18,000 hectares within protected areas of the National Natural Parks System and their buffer zones.

Activity 3

Reduce vulnerability of mangroves and seagrasses by implementing ecosystem-based adaptation measures in Coastal Environmental Units.

Activity 4

Implement over 25% of the National Mangrove Program, focusing on planning and zoning tools for sustainable management.

NDC synergies with the priority SDGs

SDG 11.1

Safe and affordable housing

Implementing adaptation guidelines for settlements in mitigable risk zones enhances local capacity to reduce vulnerability in informal urban areas. By equipping municipalities with strategic planning tools, this action supports safer, more resilient housing in at-risk communities. It directly contributes to reducing the proportion of people living in inadequate or informal settlements.

Integrating climate adaptation criteria into new housing design improves safety and durability in formal urban development. This approach ensures that construction considers future climate variability from the outset, resulting in higher-quality, more secure housing. By promoting resilient urban infrastructure, it helps reduce the share of the population living in substandard dwellings.

Implementing adaptation guidelines in high-risk settlements influences SDG 11 by improving housing safety, reducing exposure to climate-related hazards, and enhancing urban resilience. These outcomes also support climate adaptation goals of SDG 13, helping communities respond effectively to climate variability while planning for long-term sustainability.

SDG Target 11.1 (access to adequate housing) accelerates SDG 1.4 by reducing multidimensional poverty through improved living conditions. It also supports SDG 8.5 by enabling labour market participation through residential stability, and SDG 10.1 by narrowing urban inequality gaps, particularly for vulnerable and informal populations.

Priority NDC Activities

Activity 1

Guidelines to strengthen resilient settlements in high-risk urban areas.

Activity 2

Climate adaptation criteria for new buildings, linked to preferential financing.

NDC synergies with the priority SDGs

SDG 11.5

Reduce the adverse effects of natural disasters

The implementation of the selected NDC actions will enhance disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in urban areas by: (1) expanding the coverage of real-time monitoring systems connected to early warning networks; (2) integrating climate adaptation and risk management into Territorial Land Use Plans (POT) tailored to local capacities; and (3) implementing a coordinated sectoral policy that leverages GIS tools and technical guidelines. Together, these actions reduce vulnerability, improve preparedness, and strengthen institutional capacity, directly contributing to SDG 11.5 and supporting SDGs 13, 9, and 3.

Accelerating these NDC actions will directly advance SDG target 11.5 and generate co-benefits across multiple SDGs. Strengthening resilience and early warning systems supports SDG 13 (climate action), while nature-based solutions and improved land-use planning contribute to SDG 15 (life on land). Risk-informed infrastructure fosters SDG 9, while the transition to sustainable systems promotes SDGs 7, 8, and 12 through clean energy, green jobs, and more efficient resource use.

SDG target 11.5 aims to reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable populations by enhancing urban resilience and infrastructure. Investments here will directly supports SDG 1.5 by reducing exposure to climate-related shocks and preventing people from falling into poverty due to disasters. It also aligns with SDG 1.3 by reinforcing the role of social protection systems in disaster response. Furthermore, encouraging climate-related investments and partnerships, will contribute to SDG 17.3 through the mobilization of financial resources for sustainable development.

Priority NDC Activities

Activity 1

Implement an integrated sectoral policy to strengthen DRM and CCA through GIS tools, technical guidelines, and institutional coordination.

Activity 2

Guidelines to incorporate climate adaptation and risk management into Territorial Land Use Plans (POT), based on local capacities and scenarios.

Activity 3

Increase the percentage of the monitoring network with real-time transmission (from 24% to 35%) connected to early warning systems.

NDC synergies with the priority SDGs

4. Finance & Stimulus

This section examines a country's fiscal space and public investment priorities, highlighting opportunities to align stimulus measures with SDG progress and accelerated climate action.

Many countries are facing reduced fiscal space, high debt levels, rising interest rates and downgrades on credit ratings. Fiscal and financial constraints tend to slow or even reverse SDG progress.

Public Finance

Financing needs

SDGs: Over 12 billion USD per is required to reach growth targets necessary for achieving SDGs

NDC: Total: Estimated 6.1 billion USD total by 2030

1.6 billion USD for mitigation
4.5 billion USD for adaptation

Financing strategy

Colombia financing strategy:

National Sustainable Finance Strategy launched
NDC financing framework under development
SDG implementation guided by CONPES
Climate Finance Broker Facility operating

Expenditures & budgets

Between 2011 and 2023, public expenditure was USD 10.3 billion.
The spending in 2023 amounted to USD 1.2 billion.
The domestic public expenditure accounts for 77.5% of the total climate change spending.
The climate budget in Colombia is formally incorporated into the Budget Law through Law 2169 of 2021 and National Development Plan. Public entities must include specific budget items to meet the climate goals aligned with the National Development Plan and the NDC.

Debt instruments

Colombia primarily uses Sovereign Thematic Bonds (Green, Social, and Sustainable) and Debt-for-Nature Swaps to finance climate action. The Thematic Bonds Reference Framework is the regulatory core. Sovereign Social Bonds lead the ranking by amount raised.

International climate finance

Between 2011 and 2023, the total international public expenditure was USD 2.05 billion.
International public expenditure in 2023 was USD 207 million.
In 2023 international public expenditure accounts for 13.22% of the total climate change expenditure.

Private Finance & Economy

Policy & Regulatory Measures:

Innovative Instruments:

The main private debt instruments for financing sustainability and climate action projects in Colombia are Green Bonds, Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLB), Private Debt Funds, and Green Loans. The market has mobilized over USD 2.4 billion in VSS+ debt, with Green Bonds being the most popular, targeting sectors like renewable energy and sustainable construction, all supported by the SFC's regulatory framework.

International Investment:

Colombia is a key destination for international private investment (IPI) in climate action. The country promotes a portfolio of projects (Plataforma País) aiming to attract over USD 36 billion in IPI, focusing on solar, green hydrogen, and sustainable mobility. This effort is supported by a robust regulatory framework and multilateral banks. International private investment has boosted Colombia's climate action, with 27 new renewable energy projects entering in 2025. Firms like Atlas Renewable Energy and Ecoener are involved, while USAID mobilizes over US$450 million, and green hydrogen could attract up to US$45 billion in future investments.

Domestic Investment:

The graph shows Domestic Private Investment as a percentage of GDP peaked at over 17% around 2008. It subsequently declined and became volatile, stabilizing between 9.5% and 12% in the most recent years shown, around 2020-2024.

SDG Investor Map

SDG Investor Map Investment Opportunity Areas (IOAs) that contribute to the government's NDC priorities and meet SDG needs.

Technology and Communications

Renewable resources and energy

Food and agriculture investments

Infrastructure

Healthcare

Finance

Development Breakthrough
Policy Brief

Each NDC x SDG Insights policy brief is a focused, country-specific deep dive that builds on the broader Insights report to unpack a single development breakthrough, outlining its policy implications and the SDG-positive actions driving it forward.

Read Colombia's Policy Brief