Peru: when inclusivity addresses climate change

From the rapid melting of Andean glaciers to the destruction of the Amazon forest, Peru is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. The arrival of the El Niño phenomenon, which intensifies extreme weather events every 2 to 7 years, further exacerbates the situation. Two regions are currently bearing the brunt of its effects: Huánuco, in the Andes, and Loreto, in the Amazon. HI has joined the movement to protect against and mitigate the effects of climate change and is ensuring that no one is left behind.

Two sides of the same crisis

In Huánuco, there are two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. With the arrival of El Niño, rainfall intensifies, leading to flooding, rivers bursting their banks and landslides.  

“Last year, even without El Niño, these phenomena caused at least twenty deaths in areas close to where we operate. Experience and historical data show that such events are likely to increase,” explains Christian Perez, HI’s project manager in Peru.

In Iquitos, in the Loreto region, the situation is the opposite. El Niño coincides with the dry season. Droughts and forest fires are on the rise, crop losses are worsening and access to safe drinking water is becoming even more difficult.  

The population, which relies heavily on river transport to get around, is paying a heavy price: pregnant women have been unable to access healthcare, sick or injured people have not been able to be evacuated, and diseases transmitted by mosquitos have begun to appear.

More inclusive governance  

Whilst climate change affects the entire population, women, young people and people with disabilities are among those most vulnerable to its consequences. HI works to ensure that these people, who are all too often marginalised, are included in climate risk prevention efforts.

In 2025, the organisation launched the ‘Guardianas del cambio’ project – ‘Guardians of change’ in English – named in honour of the women who traditionally look after the land and its resources.

‘The role of communities is essential, as they are the ones who look after the ecosystems. Strengthening their knowledge and skills, and involving them in environmental management, is the key to ensuring our ecosystems remain sustainable in the long term; that is why we strive to be as inclusive as possible. We work with bilingual schools welcoming Quechua and Cocama children. In the schools across the two regions where we operate, we also have teenagers with disabilities who are actively involved in the training process and in devising solutions,” explains the project manager.

Key achievements of the past year

In two regions with distinct ecosystems – the Amazon rainforest in Loreto and the Andes in Huánuco – HI has taken action to build capacity for adaptation to climate change, with a particular focus on young people.

“Young people represent the future, but they are already making a difference today. Change starts at home. They are becoming aware of the issues and then passing on this knowledge to their parents and families. We have seen that this is bringing about changes within households. It’s something I’m very proud of,” says Christian Perez.

This investment has taken the form of work carried out with school pupils in both regions, public sector staff and organisations representing people with disabilities.

Among the resources deployed, leaflets entitled ‘Solutions for a Better Life’ have been distributed to pupils. Designed to address inclusive environmental management, nature-based solutions, gender issues and disability inclusion, they guide pupils through a three-step process: identifying local problems linked to climate change, analysing their causes, and then devising a solution tailored to their context.

Thanks to this approach, 1,600 pupils have been trained. More than 220 people with disabilities have also received support, as have around 60 civil servants.

Nature-based solutions  

In schools and neighbouring communities, this work has resulted in the development of greener infrastructure and the restoration of green spaces, notably through the creation of organic vegetable gardens and forest nurseries.

On the part of the authorities, two further solutions have been introduced. In Huánuco, an urban ecological corridor stretching nearly 4 kilometres has been created to restore green spaces and preserve the habitat of 21 species of birds found in the region. In Loreto, ten families living in a village that is regularly flooded have set up floating vegetable gardens, managed mainly by women, to ensure they have access to fruit and vegetables at all times.

At the same time, two environmental regulations have been drafted or supported – one in each city – to ensure the ongoing participation of organisations of people with disabilities in decision-making forums relating to climate change.

“This didn’t exist in Peru before. It is the first initiative of its kind in the country. Thanks to this work, organisations of people with disabilities now officially participate in forums for dialogue and decision-making on environmental and climate issues,” says Christian Perez.

Taking it a step further  

Launched in June 2026, the second phase of the Guardianas del cambio project aims to consolidate these initial results, whilst exploring new avenues.  

“We are now looking to work not only on climate change, but also on disaster risk management. We want to build the capacity of the entire school ecosystem,” explains Christian.  

The idea is to offer a training programme lasting at least three months to 120 teachers, who will then pass on the knowledge they have acquired to their pupils – reaching a total of around 1,800 young people. Another focus is on further strengthening organisations representing people with disabilities, so that their participation in decision-making forums on environmental and climate issues is not only active but truly meaningful.