Desafíos Y Oportunidades En La Implementación de Políticas Ambientales En Colombia

This research addresses the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of environmental policies in Colombia, with a particular focus on the hydrocarbon sector, which is critical to the national economy but has a significant impact on the environment. The study highlights the disconnect between public policies formulated at the national level and local dynamics, which hinders their effective implementation in specific territories. This gap underscores the need for a more participatory and adaptive approach that integrates local needs and sociopolitical dynamics. The research employs a mixed-methods approach divided into two phases. In the qualitative phase, the legal and regulatory framework of environmental policies is analyzed through document review and the implementation of semi-structured interviews, focusing on the case of the oil block identified as CPO-09 in the Meta Department, Colombia. In the quantitative phase, the Corine Land Cover (CLC) methodology is used to evaluate land cover changes between 2002 and 2022. This analysis is based on satellite imagery to identify land use patterns and their environmental impact. The study revealed significant changes in land cover within the study area. Between 2002 and 2022, a decrease in areas with shrub vegetation and clean pastures was observed, while open areas with little or no vegetation increased considerably. These changes are associated with extractive activities that affect biodiversity and ecosystem services. Additionally, an increase in urban areas and water bodies was identified, reflecting human expansion in the region.