Climate Resilience Project Begins Work in San José de Maipo

Project members met with representatives from the municipal government, civil society and the Municipal Council. 

February 10, 2025

On Wednesday, February 5, a team from the “Strengthening Capacities and Civic Participation for Climate-Resilient Communities in Chile” project visited San José de Maipo to meet with representatives from the municipal government, civil society, and the Municipal Council. The meeting focused on reviewing the project's work plan, which aims to support three Chilean municipalities in addressing climate change by providing technical assistance and planning support for the development and implementation of Local Climate Action Plans (PACC, in Spanish).

The delegation included representatives from the project's partner institutions: Antonia Samur, from the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) at the Columbia Climate School; Chris Molinari and Carla Magri, form the Columbia Global Center Santiago; Danilo Miranda from the Institute for Disaster Resilience (Itrend); and Javiera Gárate, from the Center for Climate and Resilience Science (CR2).

During the meeting, participants discussed the key environmental challenges facing the municipality, particularly its unique geography, where 70% of the territory is rural, and its total area accounts for one-third of the Metropolitan Region’s size. The discussion also highlighted the high level of civic engagement in environmental issues, though there are complex challenges in addressing local demands and petitions. Additionally, the team recognized the strong turnout for environmental activities organized by local social groups. The meeting concluded with a discussion on key areas and priority actions for the development of the PACC.

The meeting was attended by key municipal and civil society representatives, including Karina Cabello and Manuel Maldonado from the San José de Maipo Environmental Unit; Kassandra Prado, Director of Community Development; Felipe Acevedo, Risk Prevention and Disaster Management Coordinator; Muriel Vicencio, Head of the Productive Development Unit; Felipe Moreno, Legislative Monitoring Coordinator at ONG Chile Sustentable; and Anthony Prior, President of the Environmental Commission of the Municipal Council.

San José de Maipo, located in the Cordillera Province of the Metropolitan Region, is situated 48 kilometers from Santiago and has a population of approximately 19,500 residents. The municipality plays a critical role in supplying water to the capital city. However, climate change poses an increasing threat, with risks including prolonged droughts, landslide hazards, extreme weather events, and heightened vulnerability to wildfires. The PACC seeks to address these challenges through a collaborative and evidence-based approach. 

The project’s fieldwork will continue in March with the first visit to Coquimbo, in Chile’s IV Region, where the same methodology will be applied to support local climate planning efforts.