Ecuador

Executive Summary

Ecuador has an important role in contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions due to its natural carbon reservoirs. However, it is responsible for only 0,1% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which means that its contribution to global warming is minimal, and its objectives lie mainly in adaptation. As a developing country, Ecuador needs support to address climate change. The country is highly affected by climate change due to its location, low population resilience and threatened biodiverse ecosystems, in addition to its volatile economy and political instability. Taking into account the important natural resources that Ecuador possesses, and the situation already mentioned, the country should not lead in terms of emissions reductions, but it should prioritize adaptation and capture adequate financial support thanks to its high degree of vulnerability.

Ecuador and the climate crisis

• According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) website, Ecuador is responsible for approximately 0,1% of total global emissions, having emitted 4,1 tonnes of GHG per capita in 2018.

• Projections related to the mitigation of climate change in the Energy, Agriculture, Industrial Processes and Waste sectors show an estimated potential for reducing GHG emissions by 9% compared to the trend scenario for 2025, and a potential reduction of 20.9%. during the same period, subject to international cooperation support to implement the lines of action established in this conditional scenario, which would increase mitigation ambition by 11.9% in reference to the trend scenario for 2025.

• In the Land-Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, a potential reduction in GHG emissions of 4% was identified with respect to the reference level in 2025. However, if sufficient international cooperation is secured, there would be an additional mitigation potential of 16%, that is, a total reduction in GHG emissions of 20% compared to the reference level for the year 2025.

• Ecuador, like many other developing countries, has not yet reached peak GHG emissions.

NDC Highlights

• The participation of men and women in the NDC development process was equal (50% and 50% approximately.

• Likewise, the public and private sectors, alongside academia and civil society, were part of the formulation process.

• The NDC mentions good and realistic plans to mitigate climate change.

NDC Lowlights

• There is no mention of youth in the NDC, and there is no mention of women or members of the LGBTQ+ community as vulnerable groups.

• There’s no part of the NDC that mentions the participation of young people in its development. Similarly, the manual titled: "Methodology for the formulation of NDC through participatory processes" used by Ecuador to craft its NDC, does not mention youth inclusion either. Rather, it just mentions that participation in this process was equitable in terms of gender.

• They only mentioned the participation of women and men equally in the formulation process of the NDC but there was no measure or initiative in this same NDC that contemplates gender equality or helps reduce this gap.

Key Recommendations on intergenerational justice

• Create roundtables with young people from different careers, allowing them to propose ideas and give their opinions from their own unique experiences and knowledge.

• Create a government organization supported by the Ministry of the Environment where young people can be part of the creation of environmental policies.

• Create training institutes on climate change for school and university students.

• Incorporate interdisciplinary subjects in schools and universities where climate change is taught, empowering young people to participate in these spaces.

• Create contests at the institutional, municipal or national level for the creation of sustainable projects.

• Ensure that young Ecuadorian delegates participate in climate conferences such as COP.

Key Recommendations on Gender Equality

• Have a broader range of civil society participants that includes men, women and people from the LGBTQ+ community in the formulation of the NDC.

• Include initiatives in the different mitigation and adaptation sectors that involve women and people from the LGBTQ+ community in these processes, including them in their implementation plans and helping to reduce the existing gender gap.

• Train women from vulnerable or low-income communities in initiatives such as bioentrepreneurship or in sectors such as energy or LULUCF with a sustainable approach so that they can have tools that allow them to access more opportunities for a dignified life.

• Carry out data collection on the vulnerability of women and people from the LGBTQ+ community.

Key Recommendations on Emissions Reduction

• Increase carbon sinks:  The government should reforest land-based forests as well as mangroves. It should also declare new national protected areas to promote their conservation and bolster carbon capture.

• Establish clear commitments and objectives: Ecuador should define emissions reduction objectives in the short, medium and long term. These goals must be specific, measurable and aligned with the Paris Agreement and international best practices.

  Invest in renewable energy: Ecuador has great potential to generate renewable energy, such as hydroelectric, solar and wind, as well as biogas from landfills. Investing in these alternatives would help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and associated emissions.

• Promote sustainable mobility: The public sector should promote electric public transport

• Promote educational programs and awareness campaigns: Teaching the importance of reducing emissions and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle play an important role in this regard. Also, young people in higher education should be accounted for to develop sustainable and viable projects that help create a cleaner state.

• Promote international cooperation: Ecuador can seek international partners and financing for climate change mitigation projects, which will facilitate the implementation of ambitious measures.