Plan 4C A Competitive and Climate Compatible Cartagena

Plan 4C is a strategic framework designed to make Cartagena de Indias the first coastal city in Colombia to implement a long-term vision for climate compatible development by 2040. The plan addresses the city's high vulnerability to sea level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather, which threaten its critical port, industrial, and tourism sectors, as well as its UNESCO World Heritage status. It proposes five core strategies: creating climate compatible ports and industries, committing the tourism sector to climate action, protecting historic heritage, adapting neighborhoods, and implementing ecosystem-based adaptation. To support these, the plan identifies 36 projects and three cross-cutting axes focused on information, education, and planning. The total estimated cost for adaptation, including complementary city projects, is approximately COL$1.5 trillion. Implementation is to be managed by the Cartagena Climate Action Center (CACC) and supported by the Inter-Institutional Commission on Climate Change (CICCC).

• Cartagena de Indias faces significant climate risks by 2040, including a projected sea level rise of 60 cm if temperatures increase by 2°C. Without adaptation, 27.5% of the population and 26.2% of houses could be flooded, and 86% of the city's historic heritage is projected to be affected by flooding.
• The city's economic competitiveness is tied to sectors highly vulnerable to climate change: the port zone handles 60% of Colombia's maritime trade, and the Mamonal industrial zone contributes 6% to the national GDP.
• Plan 4C organizes its response around three structural axes: integrated adaptation for economic development (covering ports, industry, and tourism), citizens and adaptation (focusing on neighborhoods), and ecological restoration (emphasizing water and life).
• The plan proposes five specific strategies to achieve its 2040 vision: Climate Compatible Ports and Industries, a Tourism sector committed to climate change, Protection of historic heritage, Neighborhoods adapted to climate change, and Ecosystem-based adaptation.
• The total estimated cost for the adaptation of Cartagena, including the specific Plan 4C proposals and complementary city projects, is approximately COL$1.5 trillion (2014 values).
• To ensure implementation, the plan proposes the creation of the Cartagena District Climate Change Fund (FDCCC) for financing and the Cartagena Climate Action Center (CACC) to serve as the coordinating body between public and private sectors.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (n.d.). Plan 4C A Competitive and Climate Compatible Cartagena. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Executive-Summary-Plan4C1.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Plan 4C A Competitive and Climate Compatible Cartagena. n.d. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Executive-Summary-Plan4C1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Plan 4C A Competitive and Climate Compatible Cartagena |url=http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Executive-Summary-Plan4C1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetworkndplan, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Plan 4C A Competitive and Climate Compatible Cartagena}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, url = {http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Executive-Summary-Plan4C1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }