ESTUDIO COMPARATIVO ENTRE LAS TAXONOMÍAS DE COLOMBIA Y LA UNIÓN EUROPEA

This report compares the Green Taxonomy of Colombia and the EU Taxonomy, finding a high degree of similarity (47%) in technical eligibility criteria for climate mitigation, particularly in Energy and Manufacturing. While Colombia's criteria are less ambitious in 27% of cases, it is more detailed in some 'Do No Significant Harm' (NHDS) areas, specifically the circular economy. Key differences include Colombia's focus on land-use sectors (Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock) and the EU's more advanced framework for climate adaptation and mandatory disclosure requirements.

• The Colombian and EU taxonomies show a high degree of similarity in their technical eligibility criteria (CTE) for climate change mitigation, with 47% (24 activities) being 'very similar'. The sectors with the most similarities are Energy and Manufacturing.
• Colombia's CTEs are less ambitious or detailed than the EU's for 27% (14 activities) of the evaluated economic activities, primarily in the Water and Waste sectors, as well as Energy, Transport, ICT, and Construction. Only 6% (3 activities) in the Waste sector are more ambitious in Colombia.
• Regarding 'Do No Significant Harm' (NHDS) criteria, 42% (106 NHDS) are very similar, particularly in Energy and Waste. Colombia's NHDS are more strict or detailed for 16% (41) of the criteria, largely due to specific requirements for the circular economy that the EU Taxonomy currently lacks in general appendices.
• The EU Taxonomy addresses climate change adaptation as a substantial contribution across 13 economic sectors, whereas the Colombian Green Taxonomy has not yet developed this as a standalone objective. In Colombia, adaptation is treated as a co-dependent general objective via NHDS or integrated into land-use sectors.
• The Colombian Green Taxonomy includes specific sectors for land use—Forestry, Agriculture, and Livestock—which are highly relevant as they contribute 59% of the country's GHG emissions. These are not yet addressed in the EU Taxonomy.
• Colombia's minimum safeguards (SM) are considered less strict or detailed than the EU's. Colombia focuses on six IFC performance standards, while the EU integrates four core themes aligned with the Taxonomy Regulation and references OECD Guidelines and UN Guiding Principles.
• The Colombian Green Taxonomy, published on April 13, 2022, is currently a voluntary guide without legal status, though the SFC has issued circulars (e.g., Circular Externa 005-2022) to encourage its use for green bond labeling and ESG portfolios. In contrast, the EU Taxonomy is a mandatory regulation for large companies and financial market participants under the CSRD and SFDR.
• Certain activities are unique to one taxonomy: Colombia includes energy production from non-recyclable waste fractions (RC6) and investments for efficient water use (A4), while the EU includes nuclear energy, gaseous fossil fuels for energy generation, and direct air capture of CO2.

APA

Dagnino, V., Peláez, A., González, I., & Porras, E. (2023). ESTUDIO COMPARATIVO ENTRE LAS TAXONOMÍAS DE COLOMBIA Y LA UNIÓN EUROPEA. Climate Bonds Initiative. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Comparison-Study-Between-the-Colombian-and-EU-Taxonomies_ES_Jul-2023.pdf

Chicago

Dagnino, Valeria, Adelaida Peláez, Isabel González, and Erika Porras. ESTUDIO COMPARATIVO ENTRE LAS TAXONOMÍAS DE COLOMBIA Y LA UNIÓN EUROPEA. Climate Bonds Initiative, 2023. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Comparison-Study-Between-the-Colombian-and-EU-Taxonomies_ES_Jul-2023.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Dagnino |first1=Valeria |last2=Peláez |first2=Adelaida |last3=González |first3=Isabel |last4=Porras |first4=Erika |title=ESTUDIO COMPARATIVO ENTRE LAS TAXONOMÍAS DE COLOMBIA Y LA UNIÓN EUROPEA |publisher=Climate Bonds Initiative |date=July 2023 |url=https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Comparison-Study-Between-the-Colombian-and-EU-Taxonomies_ES_Jul-2023.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{dagnino2023estudio, author = {Dagnino, Valeria and Peláez, Adelaida and González, Isabel and Porras, Erika}, title = {{ESTUDIO COMPARATIVO ENTRE LAS TAXONOMÍAS DE COLOMBIA Y LA UNIÓN EUROPEA}}, institution = {Climate Bonds Initiative}, year = {2023}, month = jul, url = {https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Comparison-Study-Between-the-Colombian-and-EU-Taxonomies_ES_Jul-2023.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }