Breathing Hope
The Programme Climate and Clean Air in Latin American Cities (CALAC+) pursues a vision of healthier cities that reduce their emissions of short-lived climate pollutants such as black carbon, atmospheric gases and greenhouse gases, by promoting a shift towards soot-free and low-carbon urban buses and off-road machinery.
How can we keep skies clean while cities keep running? The solution lies in applying sustainable and innovative practices in our urban lives. Switzerland, a pioneer in technologies to improve air quality, is helping to transform cities in Latin America with technologies that reduce emissions, promote clean transport, and encourage eco-friendly construction. This will not only cut down on pollutant emissions but also create new businesses and green jobs.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) takes on a key role, as for over a decade it has gone beyond being a donor of financial resources. Its approach, focused on providing technical assistance, sharing knowledge, promoting political dialogue, and innovating, has brought about big changes. «This evolution is transformational and has had a profound and sustainable impact on Latin America. This cooperation model is modern and allows us to reach more countries, being more efficient in the use of resources», highlighted Rafael Millán, Regional Programme Officer of the Regional Hub Lima of the SDC.
The Clean Air for Latin American Cities Programme
SDC initiatives travel from Switzerland to Latin America and then among the countries of the region themselves. Thus, they ensure that actions are sustainable and beneficial for all. An inspiring example is the Climate and Clean Air for Latin American Cities Programme (CALAC+) that since 2018 has been implemented through Swisscontact in Bogotá, Mexico City, Lima, and Santiago de Chile.
CALAC+ bolsters the abilities of government officials to improve air quality. Efficient transport schemes are assessed and emissions from construction machinery are regulated, allowing the countries themselves to fund their modernisation. Its positive impacts include the implementation of measures that have improved people’s lives, reduced respiratory diseases, and increased environmental awareness among citizens.
Switzerland, with its expertise and specialised support, has technically empowered the governments of Chile and Colombia. Thanks to this backing, these countries have funded and increased their fleets of electric buses in their capital cities by 2,268 new vehicles between 2020 and 2023. This joint effort has managed to reduce pollutant emissions by up to 88%, as demonstrated by Santiago and Bogotá over the last 10 years. Moreover, in Santiago de Chile, an innovative bus powered by green hydrogen will soon be put to the test. Lima and Mexico City are learning and advancing ambitiously, following the path already taken.
Saving 7 million tons of CO2
Years ago, in Switzerland, a silent enemy was identified: construction machinery, which affects air quality. Today, thanks to the CALAC+ initiative, this Swiss knowledge has been transferred and Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru have detailed inventories of this machinery and are building public policies and taking actions to reduce this pollution.
But CALAC+ goes further. Reducing the soot that dirties our skies also prevents it from depositing on glaciers, slowing their melting.
And what are the figures? Thanks to the measures driven by CALAC+, it is expected that thousands of people will live longer with a better quality of life. It will prevent the generation of more than 7 million tons of CO2 from polluting our skies and 444 tonnes of soot from melting glaciers, making the air we breathe cleaner and healthier.
Combining economic development with environmental sustainability
Although CALAC+ ends in July 2025, the SDC remains committed to sustainable, transformative and innovative technical cooperation. Every Swiss franc invested in this effort is a bet for a cleaner and more hopeful future. Moreover, this Swiss initiative stands out for its low investment cost and high multiplier value, serving as inspiration and an effective and replicable model for other nations seeking to combine economic development with environmental sustainability.
From Switzerland, we reaffirm our commitment to the creation of clean and sustainable cities, where we breathe better air to enjoy a life in harmony with the environment. If we follow this path and replicate these good experiences, the future that awaits us will be greener and more hopeful for everyone.
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