1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA La Paz (FUA) Region Latin America and the Caribbean Native title of the NBS intervention Un paceño, un arbol Short description of the intervention The initiative consists of an afforestation campaign promoted by the local government of La Paz, with the objective of planting 10,000 trees and shrubs (1 & 2). Carried out between 2023 and 2024, the campaign included plantations across all the macrodistricts of La Paz (1). To ensure the campaign's success, the municipality encouraged the participation of volunteers from various institutions, such as public services, environmental groups, schools and universities, neighborhood associations, church groups, and even Army and Navy units (1 & 2). The trees play specific roles in mitigating climate change, improving air quality, reducing odors from nearby landfills, and decreasing the risk of landslides and soil erosion (3 & 4). Furthermore, the campaign aims to foster environmental awareness among citizens and replace trees lost due to illegal deforestation (1). The species selected for planting were provided by EMAVERDE, the public company responsible for managing green spaces in the city. The selection included primarily native species, along with a few introduced ones, all chosen for their resilience to La Paz's varying climate conditions (1, 2 & 4). Given the challenging climate and difficult soil conditions, the municipality informed volunteers about the importance of maintaining the saplings, particularly during drought periods, to ensure their proper growth (1 & 2). The campaign also supported the municipality’s urban development plan (Plan Territorial de Desarrollo Integral "Para Vivir Bien") and the "Plan Integral de Recuperación de la Tormenta a la Esperanza," the latter developed in response to extreme rain events and floods that occurred during the campaign months (5). Website of the intervention https://lapaz.bo/empieza-campana-de-forestacion-un-paceno-un-arbol-para-plantar… Principal problems Climate-Related Hazards Landslides & mudslides Environmental Degradation Deforestation and forest degradation Soil degradation and loss Health, Well-being and Social cohesion Disconnection from nature Poor community engagement Implementation area characterization Climate Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter) Ecosystem Urban or built environment Address La Paz Bolivia Location The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city Area boundary (map-based) Area description Urban (main city) Type of area before implementation of the NBS Public Greenspace Area Waste disposal site or landfill Vacant or abandoned land Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) 2023 Start date of intervention (implementation process) 2023 End date of the intervention 2024 Present stage of the intervention Completed 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention To encourage environmental awareness and change the mentality of different generations regarding the care of the biosphere (1). To reforest areas affected by deforestation, particularly due to illegal logging (1 & 2). To engage various institutions, community organizations, associations, schools, universities and citizens in the afforestation campaign (1 & 2). To mitigate the risk of landslides caused by heavy rains, flash floods and deforestations and prevent soil loss as type of soil in the city is clayey predisposed to shrinking and swelling (4, 5). To prevent and mitigate the effects of climate change, including carbon sequestration (3, 5). To reduce odors from landfills through strategic tree planting and restore air quality (4). Key Priorities Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation) Social Justice and community Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13) Climate change adaptation Climate change mitigation Environmental quality Air quality improvement Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Green space creation and/or management Water management (SDG 6) Flood protection Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10) Environmental education Sense of community and community engagement Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Implement measures that prevent/manage desertification, soil erosion and landslides Restore and protect forests for soil stabilisation and prevention of landslides Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets? Increase the availability of green urban space for carbon storage (street tree cover) Restore degraded forests thorough reforestation or ecological restoration to increase carbon storage in degraded forests (e.g. result of logging or fires) Raise public awareness of behaviours, lifestyle and cultural changes with mitigation potential Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities The initiative involves the plantation of 10,000 tree saplings and shrub species across various areas of the city, focusing on locations where growth can be most easily achieved (1 to 4). Specifically, 1,500 trees were planted near a working landfill, while 300 trees were planted next to a closed landfill (3 & 4). A total of 500 volunteers from 50 different institutions contributed to the planting efforts (2 & 3). Schools from primary to secondary, environmental groups, Army and Navy units and neighborhood associations have been involved. These volunteers are also expected to provide ongoing maintenance for the newly planted saplings, ensuring their healthy growth and sustainability by applying periodic irrigation in case of lack of rain in the area (2 & 3). To prepare for this ambitious planting initiative, a nursery was established to cultivate saplings until they are ready for planting. The species selected include both native and introduced varieties that are resilient to local climate conditions. In all macro-districts volunteers planted native species such as Mutu mutu, Acacia Albicia, Acacia floribunda, Privet tree, Eucalyptus guni, Ornamental plane tree, Eucalyptus baby blue, Dodonea purple that are resistant to the variable climate of the city. (1 & 2). Type of NBS project Creation of new green areas Creation of any other green urban spaces Transformation of previously derelict areas Landfill reclamation Transformation of vacant land into green spaces Knowledge creation and awareness raising Educational and awareness raising programs 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Grey infrastructure featuring greens Alley or street trees and other street vegetation Parks and urban forests Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces Other Please specify "other parks or (semi)natural urban green area" Trees on sloppy hills (1) Amenities offered by the NBS Unknown Design elements for well-being None of the above Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Regulating services Air quality regulation Carbon storage/sequestration Flood regulation Mediation of smell / noise / visual impacts Cultural services Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational) Physical and experiential interactions with plants and animals Social and community interactions Scale Spatial scale Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area In la Paz there are 755 732 inhabitants (6). The 24,3% are between 0-14 years old, the 68% are between 15 and 64 and the 7,4 left are older than 65 years (7). The 37,6% of the population are in condition of poverty (7). There 3,9 person per average on each household (7). In the city of La Paz, in 2012, out of 714.802 inhabitants, 619.595 are of spanish native language, 83940 of indigeneous native language, 3.592 foreign and the rest unknown or not specified (8). Socio-economic profile of the area Mixed income Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Unknown Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities Informal settlements or slums Primary Beneficiaries Citizens or community groups Specify primary beneficiaries Citizens or community groups: "Forestation seeks to mitigate the odors emanating from the former Alpacoma landfill, which "is typical because garbage is buried and this gradually decomposes." “So there are many benefits that these trees will give us in the future" (4). Marginalized groups Unknown Other beneficiaries Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators) City infrastructure (e.g., reduced flooding, improved water quality) Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress) 4. Governance and financing Governance Governance arrangements Government-led Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative The municipality of La Paz started the campaign, provided the land and the saplings through their public institutions and also members of the City Hall volunteered to carry out the work (1- 4). Up to 50 institutions signed up to help with the plantation actions, with and approximate of 500 volunteers from these groups participating in them (1). They comprised public services, environmental groups, schools and universities, neighborhood associations, church groups and even Army and Navy units, and others (1 - 3). Volunteers were also encouraged to maintain the plants to ensure their growth (2 & 3). The local government of La Paz has financed itself for this plantation action and similar through their own budget but also private banks (5, p. 108). Key actors - initiating organization Local government/municipality Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Public sector institution Non-government organisation/civil society District/neighbourhood association Citizens or community group Stages of citizen and community engagement On-the-ground implementation Monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes Level of citizen and community engagement Moderate Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives Formation of community-led groups responsible for the the implementation, maintenace or monitoring of the project Establishment of mentorship programs or partnerships with local institutions (e.g. schools, kinder gardens, hospitals, nursing homes) Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Dissemination of information and education Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting) Co-management/Joint management Citizen monitoring and review Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Community & Social Groups Churches and other religious organisations or faith communities Activist groups (e.g. climate, environment, justice, etc) Public Services Schools Ministry of Defence / military and law enforcement authorities Land owners Public space owned by the city Policy drivers NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy Unknown NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan Unknown NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan Yes Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan" Plan Territorial de Desarrollo Integral “Para Vivir Bien” del Municipio de La Paz 2021-2025 / Plan Integral de Recuperación de la Tormenta a la Esperanza (5). - Comprehensive Territorial Development Plan “To Live Well” of the Municipality of La Paz 2021-2025 / Comprehensive Recovery Plan from the Storm to Hope (5). Relevant strategy or plan General municipal plan Other Please specify other local relevant strategy City recovery plan after disaster (5). Mandatory or voluntary intervention Mandatory (based on policy) Intervention is mandatory Other Please specify other type of mandatory intervention City recover plan after disaster as mentioned above (5). Enablers & Barriers Type of enablers Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city) Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives. Plan Integral de Recuperación de la Tormenta a la Esperanza informs the funding for NBS projects in the city to recover from disaster (5, p. 108). Governace and decison-making instruments Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans) Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES)) Arrangements for governance cooperation Formal coordination mechanisms to oversee project implementation and decision-making (e.g., multi-stakeholder steering committees, working groups) Performance monitoring and evaluation frameworks (e.g. adoption of KPIs, or establishment or monitoring and evaluation processes) Barriers Harsh climate conditions, water stress, difficulties with soil where plantation is implemented (2). Financing Total cost €500,000 - €2,000,000 Please specify total cost (EUR) 1039275,96 (5, p. 91). What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements? 1039275,96 (5, p. 91). Source(s) of funding Public local authority budget Commercial banks Type of fund(s) used Earmarked public budget Loan Non-financial contribution Yes Who provided the non-financial contribution? Citizens (e.g. volunteering) Type of non-financial contribution Provision of labour Provision of expertise Co-finance for NBS Yes Co-governance arrangement A fund / grant Entrepreneurship opportunities No Business models Business models Risk reduction model Green densification model Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Public actor (e.g. municipality) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Climate change Enhanced carbon sequestration Expected enhanced carbon sequestration Improved resilience against landslides Expected improved resilience against landslides Environmental quality Improved air quality Expected improved air quality Green space and habitat Increased green space area Achieved increased green space area Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems Description of environmental benefits -Expected enhanced carbon sequestration: "Forestation aims to recover the space and repopulate it with tree cover in order to counteract the effects of climate change" (3). -Expected improved resilience against landslides: "Tree planting is a mitigation measure, since the roots of trees tend to stabilize the soil and thus prevent landslides and soil loss" (4). -Expected improved air quality: "Thanks to trees, we can have adequate air quality for humans" (3). -Achieved increased green space area: "With the campaign “One paceño, one tree”, implemented by the Mayor's Office, it was possible to reforest La Paz with at least 7,000 seedlings and bushes in 2023" (1). -Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems: "There are certain areas that overwhelm, cut down and deforest; So, we have to replace and find a way to stop that" (1). Economic impacts Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation) Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation) Description of economic benefits -Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation): "The afforestation of 300 seedlings was successfully carried out in the green areas adjacent to the former Mallasa landfill, more than 80 people participated in the activity along with municipal personnel" (3). Social and cultural impacts Social justice and cohesion Improved liveability Expected improved liveability Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces Cultural heritage and sense of place Increased appreciation for natural spaces Expected increased appreciation for natural spaces Social and cultural impact indicators Number of participants in outdoor activities or exercise programs in green spaces 500 Description of social and cultural benefits -Expected improved liveability: "Forestation seeks to mitigate the odors emanating from the former Alpacoma landfill, which "is typical because garbage is buried and this gradually decomposes." “So there are many benefits that these trees will give us in the future." (4). -Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: "The participation of more than 500 voluntary participants is expected, including neighborhood associations, schools, educational units, universities, alumni groups, volunteer environmentalists, public officials, among others" (2). -Expected increased appreciation for natural spaces: "The La Paz Mayor's Office seeks to encourage environmental awareness and a change of mentality in different generations regarding the care of the biosphere" (1). Evidence for use of assessment Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process Yes Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts Public sector institution Citizens or community group Presence of indicators used in reporting Yes Type of indicators Outcome indicators Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports No evidence in public records Availability of a web-based monitoring tool No evidence in public records Name of any specific impact assessment tools Unknown. Use of GIS in mapping impacts No evidence in public records Cost-benefit analysis Unknown Transparency Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.) Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets Justice Community satisfaction Unknown Trade-offs & Negative impacts Unknown Please specify Trade-offs & Negative impacts Selected Unknown. Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement Unknown High-quality & Transformative NBS Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community) Yes Goal setting and impacts delivery No, although benefits were delivered in all the 3 key areas, but in the planning phase, the project did not aim to address issues in all the 3 key priority areas. Reaching original project goals Most of the project goals were achieved Please specify the achievements of the project goals Climate action: -Expected enhanced carbon sequestration: "Forestation aims to recover the space and repopulate it with tree cover in order to counteract the effects of climate change" (3). -Expected improved resilience against landslides: "Tree planting is a mitigation measure, since the roots of trees tend to stabilize the soil and thus prevent landslides and soil loss" (4). -Expected improved air quality: "Thanks to trees, we can have adequate air quality for humans" (3). -Achieved increased green space area: "With the campaign “One paceño, one tree”, implemented by the Mayor's Office, it was possible to reforest La Paz with at least 7,000 seedlings and bushes in 2023" (1). -Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems: "There are certain areas that overwhelm, cut down and deforest; So, we have to replace and find a way to stop that" (1). Social justice and community: -Expected improved liveability: "Forestation seeks to mitigate the odors emanating from the former Alpacoma landfill, which "is typical because garbage is buried and this gradually decomposes." “So there are many benefits that these trees will give us in the future." (4). -Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces: "The participation of more than 500 voluntary participants is expected, including neighborhood associations, schools, educational units, universities, alumni groups, volunteer environmentalists, public officials, among others" (2). -Expected increased appreciation for natural spaces: "The La Paz Mayor's Office seeks to encourage environmental awareness and a change of mentality in different generations regarding the care of the biosphere" (1). Long-term perspective Yes Cost-effective solutions No Equitable impacts A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project Transformative capacity Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution) Magnitude of change Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation Application of lessons learned Unknown Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Agencia Municipal de Noticias La Paz (2024). En La Paz plantan al menos 7.000 arbustos en campaña de forestación. Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. Gobierno Autónomo Municipal de la Paz (2023). Empieza campaña de forestación “Un paceño, un árbol” para plantar 10 mil nuevos arbolitos en La Paz . Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. Agencia Municipal de Noticias La Paz (2023). Campaña “Un paceño, un árbol”_ más de 300 plantines, arbustos y arbóreas son plantados en Mallasa . Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Opinión (2024). La Paz_ Forestan exrelleno sanitario de Alpacoma con 1.500 plantines. Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 5. Gobierno Autónomo Municial de La Paz (2024). PLAN INTEGRAL DE RECUPERACION DE LA TORMENTA A LA ESPERANZA. p. 91 & 108. Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 6. Instituto Nacional de Estadística Bolivia (2024). Censo población 2024. Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 7. Secretaría Municipal de Planificación (2018 ). Cartillas Macrodistritales - Tablas Dinámicas. Gobierno Autónomo Municipal de La Paz, Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 8. Instituo Nacional de Estadística (2012 ). Ficha_Comunidades_La Paz. Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Public Images Image Volunteers planting saplings https://amun.bo/en-la-paz-plantan-al-menos-7-000-arbustos-en-campana-de-forestacion/ Image La Paz planting https://amun.bo/un-paceno-un-arbol-foresta-tu-barrio-y-unete-a-esta-iniciativa/ Image La Paz planting https://amun.bo/un-paceno-un-arbol-foresta-tu-barrio-y-unete-a-esta-iniciativa/ Image Volunteers planting saplings https://amun.bo/campana-un-paceno-un-arbol-mas-de-300-plantines-arbustos-y-arboreas-son-plantados-en-mallasa/ Image La Paz planting https://amun.bo/un-paceno-un-arbol-foresta-tu-barrio-y-unete-a-esta-iniciativa/
Image Volunteers planting saplings https://amun.bo/en-la-paz-plantan-al-menos-7-000-arbustos-en-campana-de-forestacion/
Image La Paz planting https://amun.bo/un-paceno-un-arbol-foresta-tu-barrio-y-unete-a-esta-iniciativa/
Image La Paz planting https://amun.bo/un-paceno-un-arbol-foresta-tu-barrio-y-unete-a-esta-iniciativa/
Image Volunteers planting saplings https://amun.bo/campana-un-paceno-un-arbol-mas-de-300-plantines-arbustos-y-arboreas-son-plantados-en-mallasa/
Image La Paz planting https://amun.bo/un-paceno-un-arbol-foresta-tu-barrio-y-unete-a-esta-iniciativa/
