Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the main challenges to stopping climate change; in particular, the building sector acts as one of the main emitters. In response, governments have been developing nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and roadmaps to establish measures to achieve net-zero emissions. One of the main barriers to implementing these measures, particularly in the building sector, underlays in stakeholder integration. Through social network analysis (SNA) concepts, this research explores the roles of the actors whose participation is required in decarbonizing the Colombian building sector. These stakeholders engage in enabling categories (e.g., policy, finance, technology, and capacity development) required to achieve net-zero emissions, according to the goals proposed by the Colombian Green Building Council (CGBC). For the network analysis, we employ the results of semi-structured interviews led by the CGBC within the framework of the Zero Carbon Building Accelerator (ZCBA) project. Findings show highly interconnected networks characterized by redundant connections among actors. Three types of actors are identified within each enabler network: prominent actors with high centrality values, in charge of coordinating most of the actions required to achieve net-zero emissions; second-level actors limited to specific roles in policy-making processes; and perimeter actors focused on a few particular actions.

The signatory countries of the Paris Agreement must submit their updated Intended National Determined Contributions (INDCs) to the UNFCCC secretariat every five years. In Colombia, this activity was historically carried out with a wide set of diverse non-interconnected sector-specific models. Given the complexity of GHG emissions reporting and the evaluation of mitigation actions on a national scale, the need for a centralized platform was evident. Such approach would allow the integration and analysis of potential interactions among sectors, as well as to guarantee the homogeneity of assumptions and input parameters. In this paper, we describe the construction of an integrated bottom-up LEAP model tailored to the Colombian case, which covers all IPCC sectors. An integrated model facilitates capturing synergies and intersectoral interactions within the national GHG emissions system. Hence, policies addressing one sector and influencing others are identified and correctly assessed. Thus, 44 mitigation policies and mitigation actions were included in the model, in this way, identifying the sectors directly and being indirectly affected by them. The mitigation scenario developed in this paper reaches a reduction of 28% of GHG emissions compared with the reference scenario. The importance of including non-energy sectors is evident in the Colombian case, as GHG emission reductions are mainly driven by AFOLU. The first section describes the GHG emissions context in Colombia. Next, we describe the model structure, main input parameters, assumptions, considerations, and used LEAP functionalities. Results are presented from a GHG emissions accounting and energy demand perspective. The model allows for the correct estimate of the scope and potential of mitigation actions by considering indirect, unintended emissions reductions in all IPCC categories, as well as synergies with all mitigation actions included in the mitigation scenario. Moreover, the structure of the model is suitable for testing potential emission trajectories, facilitating its adoption by official entities and its application in climate policymaking.

This paper introduces the Colombian case study developed under the Mitigation Actions Plans and Scenarios Initiative and the Endesa Colombia Electric Vehicles Initiative. It is aimed to consider the use of electricity in the transportation sector, particularly in the city of Bogotá, Colombia. A model for assessing the economic and environmental impacts of the introduction of electric vehicules for private, utility and public services is proposed. Diversification of the energy basket by introducing electricity in the transportation sector is a plausible development strategy for the country. Colombian electricity is relatively clean because of the high hydro component in the generation basket; therefore the substitution of fossil fuels for electricity represents net savings in emissions of greenhouse gases as well as a reduction of particulate matter. The increase in electricity demand as a result of this new use is not high enough to stress installed generation capacity or supply security.

The study applied a climate change (CC) perception survey in Colombia between 2021 and 2022 to gather information about the national academic community from UNAD University (Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia). The survey's fundamental component was the use of Yale's Six Americas Super Short Survey (SASSY) questions and algorithm, which allows the segmentation of the population into six audiences based on their views on climate change. In addition, the study analyzed the perception regarding causes and consequences of extreme climate events, personal engagement to reduce CC, opinions on public policies, and the willingness to participate in CC campaigns. This study contributes to increasing the understanding of the CC perception of specific community groups in developing countries. Furthermore, these pilot results can help orient universities and the academic community in designing their CC communication and education strategies.