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This case study by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the Campoalegre river basin in Colombia to demonstrate the limitations of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) when based solely on geographic watershed boundaries. Using coffee production and hydroelectric power as examples, the document argues for a 'Water without Borders' approach that accounts for multiscalar tele-connections, such as global agricultural markets and cumulative downstream impacts, which operate beyond local basin limits.

The 2020 Energy Trilemma Index for Colombia analyzes the electricity sector across its departments, highlighting a strong dependence on hydroelectric power (72% of the national matrix) and significant regional disparities. While departments like Antioquia, Boyacá, and La Guajira show high energy security, there are stark gaps in energy equity, particularly between the National Interconnected System (SIN) and Non-Interconnected Zones (ZNI). The report also notes that environmental sustainability is compromised in departments relying on fossil fuels, with Casanare and Atlántico recording high CO2 emissions per capita.