Potential Development of Natural Infrastructure Projects for Water Security

Abstract

Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the regions most affected by climate change, particularly in vulnerable countries such as Peru, where havoc is caused in sectors such as agriculture and livestock. At the same time, the issue of water insecurity, exacerbated by changes in rainfall, highlights the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation actions. Based on a study in the community of San Pedro de Casta, in the province of Huarochirí, we highlight the importance of natural infrastructure projects such as the rehabilitation of ancestral canals (amunas), which capture, store and divert rainwater. These projects contribute to the ensuring of water security, biodiversity protection and ecosystem recovery. This policy brief calls for the scaling up of these projects, in order to address the climate crisis and create sustainable opportunities for Peru.