Interview with the Ministry of the Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition
- Marcos Chiluisa
- Apr 15, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 27
By Marcos Chiluisa
Marcos: Thank you so much Minister for your time. HiExpat magazine seeks to inspire and inform North American expatriates who have chosen our country as a destination to spend their golden years. As a leader in your field, you have more than 21 years of experience in environmental issues. Likewise, you are recognized for being a successful entrepreneur and faithful pioneer for Ecuador when it comes to the environment. In this new position as head of the Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador, in which you have served for almost a year, how has your experience in the private sector contributed to the implementation of public policies that are in accordance with reality and the current needs of Ecuador? We are specifically curious to know how you have balanced the conservation of marine life and fishing, knowing that this economic reality is the livelihood for many Ecuadorian families.
Minister: My experience in sustainability issues, as well as my vocation in the environmental field, have allowed me to put my knowledge to the service of Ecuador. In this service, the government has begun focusing on objectives which prioritize the sustainable use of nature and water capital, restoration of ecosystem gradients, implementation of financial sustainability mechanisms for protected areas, creation of water recharge zones, and an inclusive and participatory strategy for the reduction of deforestation.
Thus, one of the most important milestones of this government has been the prioritization of public policy which has focused on finding solutions to environmental issues from various productive sectors in Ecuador. A good example of this is the creation of our National Transition Plan Towards Decarbonization. Rolled out from the national government, and still prioritizing economic growth, the plan creates a roadmap to reduce and neutralize greenhouse gas emissions until at least 2050. This roadmap will allow technological innovation to be incorporated in the different productive sectors and promote the generation of new inclusive economic models based on bio-economies, circular economies, knowledge management, renewable energies, and others.
