National Plan for Good Living (2013-2017)
The National Plan for Good Living (2013-2017) sets out to ensure sustainable management of Ecuador’s resources and biodiversity, and develop strategies for the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change (Objective 7). This plan aims to implement the Constitution, which remarkably defines nature as a rights-bearing entity, which “has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its evolutionary processes.”
The Plan proposes several strategic policies and guidelines for sustainable development, including:
• Guarantee the promotion and respect of rights of the nature
• Improve the sustainable management of forests
• Promote energy efficiency and development of renewable energies to reduce emissions
• Promote sustainable, rational and efficient consumption patterns
• Implement measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation to reduce the vulnerability of the economy and environment, especially concerning groups with special needs
• Consolidate the Yasuní-ITT initiative and use international mechanisms to keep the crude oil in the ground
It further sets a number of goals to be reached by 2017, including:
• Increase the share of territory under specific conservation scheme to 35.9% (30.5% in 2012)
• Increase the area dedicated to reforestation to 300,000 ha (46,185 ha in 2012)
• Develop and use 60% of the renewable energy potential of Ecuador (43.1% in 2012)
• Reach 76% national energy independence (71.1% in 2011).
