GREEN TREASURES
When Ecuador’s latest constitution was passed in 2008, it became the first to recognize the rights of nature and make them enforceable by law. Article 71 states eloquently that, “Nature, where life is reproduced and exists, has the right to exist, persist, maintain, and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions, and evolutionary processes,” also adding, “Every person, people, community, or nationality will be able to demand the recognitions of rights for nature before public authorities. The application and interpretation of these rights will follow the related principles established in the constitution. The state will motivate natural and juridical persons as well as collectives to protect nature; it will promote respect toward all the elements that form an ecosystem.”
Among its natural treasures, Ecuador counts the Yasuní area, which is considered one of the most biodiverse places on earth, as well as the famous Galápagos Islands, the main airport of which was the first “ecological” airport in the world. Despite this level of legally provided environmental protection, the country is facing challenges regarding the balancing of environmental protection and development needs, especially in areas such as the streamlining of extraction licenses. Ecuador’s push for higher environmental standards, though, has fueled demand for environmental services. Over the course of this research, we sat down with several companies providing solutions in this area and helping companies develop and implement successful circular economy business models. A particular well-known case is that of Seginus, or the Ecuadorian System for Complete Management of Used Tires, developed by the consultancy service provider Sambito, which is helping to recycling 2 million tires per year. The country is also implementing strategies and initiatives that provide incentives to environmentally friendly products, as is the case with electric mobility. Electric vehicles have zero import tax, and cities like Guayaquil, Cuenca, and Loja are betting on renewing their public transport fleet with electric buses and improving mobility through electric taxis. Ecuador is expected to have at least 30 charging stations by the end of the 2020.
Elsewhere, Ecuador is also working on boosting its renewable energy game, with two wind projects‚ Villonaco II (46MW) and Villonaco III (56MW)—as well as a solar photovoltaic project, El Aromo (200MW), expected to diversify the generation matrix away from hydrocarbons.