The Ministry of Environment and Energy in Ecuador has launched the process to develop the National Strategy for Sustainable Production and Consumption (ENPCS). The event, held at the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, brought together over 100 representatives from national authorities, the private sector, academia, civil society, and international cooperation.
The ENPCS is designed to align with the Organic Environmental Code and its regulations. It will be built on five main pillars: sustainable production, sustainable consumption, sustainable food systems, sustainable value chains, and an enabling framework to ensure implementation.
Acting Minister Alicia Jaramillo stated that sustainability is now essential for national development. “Producing cannot mean depleting resources, but rather optimizing, innovating and regenerating,” she said. She also emphasized that ecological transition is crucial for Ecuadorian products to access and remain in both domestic and international markets.
The strategy’s development is supported by the United Nations Development Programme through the Ecuador Verde Project. Technical assistance comes from international partners such as the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and Germany’s GIZ Ecoadvance Project.
A symbolic activity during the launch involved participants from various sectors assembling a digital puzzle. Each piece represented their role in transforming unsustainable production and consumption models. The Ministry completed the puzzle with a piece representing the public sector.
With this initiative, Ecuador aims to create a transparent and participatory process that will include further dialogue and collective planning. According to organizers, failing to act could result in lost competitiveness and higher environmental costs. Taking action now is seen as an opportunity for innovation, job creation, strengthening local economies, and ensuring a greener future for coming generations.
“The New Ecuador has taken the first step. Now, we invite everyone to join efforts to build a development model that protects our resources and enhances opportunities for present and future generations,” concluded officials at the event.
