Climate Change Action Plan for Aysén Region

Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan

A climate strategy for Chile’s far south

Client

Ministry of the Environment, Chile

Population

104,000

Schedule

2022-2023

The Problem

The Aysén Region in southern Chile is vulnerable to climate change, facing biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and coastal flooding. Addressing these risks requires a clear, participatory regional roadmap for adaptation and mitigation, as required by Chile’s Framework Law on Climate Change.

The Problem

How can Aysén take climate action that is effective, coordinated, and tailored to its territorial realities?

1.130k

tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in Aysén (CO2eq, 2020)

>30k

hectares affected by wildfires since 1996

The Solution

SSG supported the Regional Government of Aysén in developing a Climate Change Action Plan that integrates technical knowledge, citizen participation, and collaboration between government institutions and agencies to address biodiversity loss, water shortages, and increased coastal flooding.

A participatory process—including interviews, workshops, and sectoral meetings involving over 80 interested and affected parties—informed every stage of emissions, mitigation, and vulnerability assessment.

SSG used the impact chain methodology—which maps how climate hazards lead to specific consequences—to evaluate 47 climate risks in the region, including previously unassessed risks like increased power outages, loss of native forests from wildfires, reduced aquaculture productivity, loss of wetlands and glaciers, and declining tourism.

In accordance with Chile’s Framework Law on Climate Change, the draft plan outlines adaptation and mitigation measures including clean heating solutions, water management, strengthening aquaculture infrastructure, and reducing forest fire risk. Each measure includes recommended actions, responsible entities, and potential partners.

The Outcome

The Regional Climate Change Action Plan includes the following emissions reduction targets:

1.26 Mt

CO₂e reduction in total annual emissions

709kt

CO₂e reduction in emissions from actions related to forests and biodiversity.

24,5 Mt

CO₂e cumulative reduction between 2024 and 2050

The Outcome

Key Takeaways

Shifting to clean heating solutions reduces residential emissions.

Residential wood combustion—mainly for winter heating—accounts for over 80% of regional carbon emissions in Aysén. The plan includes replacing wood heaters with heat pumps and deploying low-carbon district energy systems using hydro, solar, or biomass to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

Coastal risk management strengthens aquaculture resilience.

Aquaculture in Aysén faces climate-related risks, including salmon stock losses, operational interruptions from storms, harmful algal blooms, and damage to infrastructure. The plan calls for public–private working groups to improve contingency planning, coordination, and ecosystem restoration.

Reducing forest fire risk starts with coordinated planning.

Aysén’s forests are vulnerable to fires due to warming, strong winds, limited access, the quantity of combustible fuels, and human ignitions. Collaboration between government, businesses, and community groups can protect people, communities, and infrastructure, enhancing the region’s resilience.

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