1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Lima (FUA)
Region
Latin America and the Caribbean
Native title of the NBS intervention
Lima Verde
Short description of the intervention
Lima Verde is one of the pillars of the metropolitan mayor's government plan and is supported by SERPAR. It aims to reforest hillsides, hills, and central berms of metropolitan and local roads, as well as public recreational spaces, to create urban lungs that generate oxygen and scenic beauty for the benefit of the health of all residents (Ref 1, 3). Its goal is to plant one million trees in four years (2022 - 2026) in different parts of North, East and South Lima (Ref 3, 5, 6). This project is being carried out to respond to the increasing problem of urban heat islands that are being generated, especially in the most vulnerable districts where there is no shade due to a shortage of trees (Ref 1, 4). It is therefore focused on areas where the environmental quality is low, where the pollution is high and where there is more danger of higher temperatures (Ref 1, 7).
This programme aims to include youth volunteers, district municipalities, educational institutions, grassroots social organisations, neighbourhood leaders, residents and other entities that favour environmental conservation (Ref 1, 2, 3, 5).
Website of the intervention
https://www.serpar.gob.pe/arborizacion/
Principal problems
Climate-Related Hazards
Heat stress & Extreme temperatures
Environmental Degradation
Air pollution
Land use and Socio-economic change
Unequal availability and access to public green spaces
Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
Physical health harm (from pollution, wildfire, extreme temperature)
Inadequate access to recreational opportunities
Implementation area characterization
Climate
Arid (Desert, Steppe)
Ecosystem
Urban or built environment
Please specify other ecosystem
Coastal Lomas
Address

Pucusana
Pucusana
Peru

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)
Other urban area outside city center (e.g. another municipality in the FUA, commuting zone)
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Industrial
Residential
Public Greenspace Area
Vacant or abandoned land
Mixed-use development (combination of residential, commercial, and/or industrial)
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
unknown
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2022
End date of the intervention
2026
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
- To increase the number of trees in Lima to improve the quality of life of the citizens and recover public green spaces (Ref 1, 3).
- To reduce urban environmental pollution (Ref 1, 6), particularly air quality by capturing CO2 with vegetation (Ref 2)
- Counteract the effects of the heat islands that are being generated in the city, and increase shaded spaces, especially in areas where the number of green spaces is reduced (Ref 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)
- To promote reforestation in spaces with scarce green areas (Ref 2, 3, 5, 6)
- To increase recreational areas for citizens and social integration (Ref 1)
- To promote spaces for citizenship education and healthy recreation (Ref 1)
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
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Environmental education
Environmental and climate justice
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect
Reducing socio-economic vulnerability to climate impacts (e.g. awareness raising)
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)
Improve carbon sequestration through selection of more adaptable species
Implementation activities and NBS focus
Implementation activities
The ongoing program, involving SERPAR, district municipalities, and social organizations, develops the following activities:
SERPAR delivers selected trees to municipalities and social organizations (1), after previously identifying the most suitable species for each urban area, such as coastal molle, highland molle, tecoma, meijo, tara, parkinsonia, and huaranguillo (1, 5). Additionally, SERPAR offers workshops, training, and logistical support for the maintenance and conservation of these species (5, 7), as well as during tree planting activities (1). Urban forest characteristics and information are also provided to help formulate joint activity plans, goals, and objectives (1).
The collaboration between SERPAR, municipalities, and social organizations includes organizing events for planting, caring, irrigating, agronomic management, and maintaining the newly created green areas, ensuring their proper conservation (1). Additionally, campaigns are conducted to raise community awareness about the importance of urban forestry and its positive environmental impact (1). Social organizations are required to report the outcomes of these activities to the Green Areas Management of SERPAR LIMA every six months (1)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests
Creation of any other green urban spaces
Maintenance and management of urban nature
n.a.
Strategy, plan or policy development
Creation of city-wide or neighborhood green and blue infrastrcuture protection or enhancement strategies/plans
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
Riverbank/Lakeside greens
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Other
Please specify "other parks or (semi)natural urban green area"
Hillsides, central berms of metropolitan and local roads, and public recreational spaces
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Design elements for well-being
Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Regulating services
Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)
Air quality regulation
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Demographics in implementation area
The project is mainly implemented in North, East and South Lima (Ref 6). These last two areas of the city are where Lima's low-income households are located (Ref 6). However, it is not limited to these areas, as the programme's activities are designed to take place around the city (Ref 2, 9, 10).
Socio-economic profile of the area
Mixed income
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Low-income neighborhoods
Urban heat islands
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Young people and children
Marginalized groups
Specify primary beneficiaries
Citizens of Lima from various districts of the city, youth volunteers, local communities, educational institutions and social organisations (Ref 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9)
Marginalized groups
Children, young people or youth groups
Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed)
Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups
Agreements have been established with 30 districts, including Ancón, Ate, Barranco, Breña, Carabayllo, among others, some of which are considered marginal or low-income (Ref 1, 4). It also focuses on engaging young volunteers and neighbourhood and grassroots associations to organise and carry out tree-planting campaigns (Ref 1, 3, 8)
Specify measures taken for vulnerable or marginalized communities
Implementation of specific programs to address the needs of these communities
Provision of resources tailored to the unique challenges faced by vulnerable or marginalized groups
Collaboration with local community organizations or advocacy groups representing these communities
Other beneficiaries
Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification)
Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Government-led
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
Servicio de Parques (SERPAR): leading the project (Ref 1)
Agreements with 30 district authorities and 5 non-district organisations (Ref 1):
1. Regional Government - Gobierno Regional Metropolitano de Lima (Ref 1)
2. Municipal company for the supply and marketing of agricultural and livestock products - Empresa Municipal de Mercados S.A. (Ref 1)
3. Asociación Circuito Ecoturístico Lomas de Paraíso Villa María del Triunfo (Ref 1)
4. Regional Department of Education of Metropolitan Lima (DRELM) (Ref 1)
5. National Forestry and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) (Ref 1)
NGOs such as Olla Común Alimentando Sonrisas (Ref 2)
Social Organisations such as Sociedad de Vivienda Civil Militar My. E.P. Marko Jara (Ref 5) and Asociación Nueva Juventud (Ref 11)
Private Sector such as BanBif (Ref 9)
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Non-government organisation/civil society
District/neighbourhood association
Citizens or community group
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Stages of citizen and community engagement
On-the-ground implementation
Level of citizen and community engagement
Moderate
Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives
Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings
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)
Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")
Community & Social Groups
Youth-led organizations/ citizens
Private Sector
Local businesses (e.g. stores, restaurants)
Please specify other missing actor
Private
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
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers & Barriers
Type of enablers
City network or regional partnerships focused on climate change, sustainability, GI or NBS in the city
Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives.
A partnership developed by the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima, the Park Service (SERPAR), district authorities, NGOs, private sector and social organisations
Governace and decison-making instruments
Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans)
Public - community agreement (e.g. citizen science programs; citizen assemblies)
Public - private business agreement (e.g. public private collaborations, public-private-partnerships (PPP))
Arrangements for governance cooperation
Capacity-building initiatives for governance actors (e.g. training workshops for local government officials/ community leaders)
Other
Please specify other form of governance cooperation
Capacity-building initiatives for social organisations (workshops for citizens, community groups) or private organisations involved in the programme
Barriers
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
Unknown
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
Unknown
Type of fund(s) used
Unknown
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
Unknown
Entrepreneurship opportunities
Unknown
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)
Private for-profit actor (e.g. firm, insurer)
Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)
Citizens / local communities
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Lowered local temperature
Expected lowered local temperature
Enhanced carbon sequestration
Expected enhanced carbon sequestration
Environmental quality
Improved air quality
Expected improved air quality
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Expected increased green space area
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Expected increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Description of environmental benefits
Lowered local temperature: "With the planting days, neighbours benefit from beautiful landscaping, air purification, CO2 capture, reduced heat waves, increased shade, and a better quality of life" (Ref 2)
Enhanced carbon sequestration: "With the planting days, neighbours benefit from beautiful landscaping, air purification, CO2 capture, reduced heat waves, increased shade, and a better quality of life" (Ref 2). It is expected that it will capture up to 3 million kg of CO2 by the end of the year (Ref 10)
Improved air quality: "To create urban lungs that generate oxygen and beautiful landscapes for the benefit of the health of all residents" (Ref 3)
Increased green space area: "It aims to increase the number of trees in the city of Lima, to improve the quality of life of citizens and to recover public green spaces" (Ref 1, 4). 134.136 donated trees and 120.203 planted trees (Ref 1). Up to December 2023, the survival rate of the trees delivered was 87.98%, meeting the 85% survival target established in the agreement (Ref 4)
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems: "Planting these trees not only preserves biodiversity, but also strengthens the collective commitment to the environment" (Ref 4)
Environmental impact indicators
Carbon storage (kg carbon/m2)
It is expected that it will capture up to 3 million kg of CO2 by the end of the year (Ref 10)
Other indicators
134.136 donated trees and 120.203 planted trees (Ref 1). Up to december 2023, the survival rate of the trees delivered was 87.98%, meeting the 85% survival target established in the agreement (Ref 4)
Economic impacts
Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
Expected generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
Description of economic benefits
Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation): "Youth volunteers will be involved in the reforestation of the capital's avenues and hills" (Ref 4)
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Expected improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Expected increased opportunities for social interaction
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Education
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Description of social and cultural benefits
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "Its purpose is to increase the number of trees in the city of Lima, to improve the quality of life of citizens and to recover public green spaces, such as: riverbanks, buffer zones of coastal hills, hillsides, central and lateral berms of metropolitan roads and public recreational spaces" (Ref 1)
Improved access to urban green space: "The approach of environmental conservation within the framework of sustainable development that benefits the community's inhabitants and allows for social integration, citizen education and healthy recreation." (Ref 1)
Improved social interaction: "The approach of environmental conservation within the framework of sustainable development that benefits the community's inhabitants and allows for social integration, citizen education and healthy recreation." (Ref 1)
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature: "To carry out dissemination campaigns for grassroots social organisations in the district to be afforested, with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of urban afforestation." (Ref 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
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
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
Unknown
Justice
Community satisfaction
Positive: The majority of feedback and reports indicate high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the NBS project within the community.
Description of locals satisfaction with the project
One private actor (BanBif) has stated their commitment to the program and has shared positive feedback about the tree-planting days they have participated in, highlighting the workshops and educational spaces, the participation of the community in a tree-planting day and benefits for the surrounding neighbourhoods (Ref 9)
Trade-offs & Negative impacts
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.
Long-term perspective
Yes
Cost-effective solutions
Unknown
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
References
1.
SERPAR Servicio de Parques de Lima (2024). Programa de Arborización. Accessed on August 6, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
2.
SERPAR Servicio de Parques de Lima (2024). Serpar entregó más de 3,500 árboles a Ollas Comunes de Lima Norte en el mes de julio. Accessed on August 6, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
3.
Peruvian Government (2023). Alcalde López Aliaga lanzó programa de arborización "Lima Verde". Accessed on August 6, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
4.
Romero, R. (2023). Islas de calor en Lima: el sol no golpea igual en Villa María del Triunfo que en San Borja. Accessed on August 6, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
5.
Peruvian Government (2024). Día Mundial del Medio Ambiente: Serpar plantó más de 2,000 árboles del programa “Lima Verde”. Accessed on August 6, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
6.
Peruvian Government (2023). Reforestación de espacios de Lima Metropolitana. Accessed on August 6, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
7.
Camones, I. (2024). Serpar entregará primer lote de “Bono Árbol” a la Municipalidad de Pucusana. Accessed on August 6, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
8.
Andina Agencia Peruana de Noticias (2023). Municipalidad de Lima impulsa programa que apunta a sembrar un millón de árboles. Accessed on August 7, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
9.
BanBif (2023). BanBif se suma a programa de arborización Lima Verde. Accessed on August 7, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
10.
Peruvian Government (2024). “Bono Árbol” de Serpar beneficiará a 100 mil habitantes de Ancón. Accessed on August 7, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];
Comments and notes
Additional insights
No relevant information on costs and budget management was found for this project. But in the course of the data collection, I found that a previous project, also linked to the Municipality of Lima, with similar characteristics is being investigated for possible cost overruns. The project is the following: "Expansion of the forest tree service in the districts of Central, South and East of Metropolitan Lima", approved in October 2015.
Public Images
Group of volunteers planting trees
Group of volunteers planting trees
Municipalidad de Lima Facebook profile
Group of volunteers planting trees
Group of volunteers planting trees
Communication Office of Peruvian Government
Group of a diversity of actors in a tree planting day within the Lima Verde Program
Group of a diversity of actors in a tree planting day within the Lima Verde Program
Communication Office of Peruvian Government