Colombians identify the climate crisis as one of the main risks toward 2046: study
The Social Research Center found that the climate crisis and ecosystems rank among the main threats perceived for the future. However, participants also imagine a more sustainable Colombia, with greater ecological balance and stronger environmental responsibility.
When thinking about the future of the country, Colombians perceive the climate crisis as one of the main risks toward 2046, ranking only behind economic concerns and inequality. However, they also imagine a more sustainable nation, with greater ecological balance and stronger environmental responsibility.
This is revealed by a new study from the Social Research Center on perceptions, expectations, and collective imaginaries regarding the future of Colombia. The survey explored the main risks people identify for the coming decades, the characteristics they expect to see in the country by 2046, and the actions they consider necessary to address those challenges.
When evaluating risks, the climate crisis and ecosystems emerge as one of the main threats to the future. The results show that environmental concern occupies a central place within citizens’ perceptions of the challenges Colombia will face in the coming decades.
This perception is not isolated and rather coincides with a recent warning issued by the Ombudsman’s Office (Defensoría del Pueblo), which stated that the climate crisis is already having direct impacts on human rights. The institution reported that during the first four months of 2026, more than 25,000 people were displaced due to environmental factors. The departments most affected were Córdoba, Nariño, Cauca, and Norte de Santander.
When asked what is needed to mitigate these threats, participants responded overwhelmingly that environmental responsibility is essential to counter risks. They also highlighted measures such as cooperation between the State, businesses, and citizens, as well as deep institutional reforms.
Despite these perceptions, respondents imagine a Colombia in 2046 that is more sustainable, empathetic, dynamic, and competitive. This is consistent with another important finding of the survey: while there are concerns and fears in various areas, there is also a strong sense of hope regarding a more prosperous and conscious future.
To achieve this goal, participants highlighted that the country possesses several indispensable resources, such as its people, education, biodiversity, and natural resources. This view coincides with recent OECD analyses, which identify Colombia as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, accounting for nearly 10% of global biodiversity and hosting a wide variety of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
However, the organization also warned that ecosystem degradation is accelerating due to factors such as land-use conflicts, agricultural and urban expansion, timber extraction, extractive industries, and infrastructure development, among others.
Thus, the results of this survey reveal a dual perception of Colombia’s environmental future: on the one hand, there is concern about the effects of the climate crisis; on the other, there remains a conviction that the country has the capacities and resources necessary to move toward a more balanced and sustainable development model.
This is revealed by a new study from the Social Research Center on perceptions, expectations, and collective imaginaries regarding the future of Colombia. The survey explored the main risks people identify for the coming decades, the characteristics they expect to see in the country by 2046, and the actions they consider necessary to address those challenges.
When evaluating risks, the climate crisis and ecosystems emerge as one of the main threats to the future. The results show that environmental concern occupies a central place within citizens’ perceptions of the challenges Colombia will face in the coming decades.
This perception is not isolated and rather coincides with a recent warning issued by the Ombudsman’s Office (Defensoría del Pueblo), which stated that the climate crisis is already having direct impacts on human rights. The institution reported that during the first four months of 2026, more than 25,000 people were displaced due to environmental factors. The departments most affected were Córdoba, Nariño, Cauca, and Norte de Santander.
When asked what is needed to mitigate these threats, participants responded overwhelmingly that environmental responsibility is essential to counter risks. They also highlighted measures such as cooperation between the State, businesses, and citizens, as well as deep institutional reforms.
Despite these perceptions, respondents imagine a Colombia in 2046 that is more sustainable, empathetic, dynamic, and competitive. This is consistent with another important finding of the survey: while there are concerns and fears in various areas, there is also a strong sense of hope regarding a more prosperous and conscious future.
To achieve this goal, participants highlighted that the country possesses several indispensable resources, such as its people, education, biodiversity, and natural resources. This view coincides with recent OECD analyses, which identify Colombia as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, accounting for nearly 10% of global biodiversity and hosting a wide variety of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
However, the organization also warned that ecosystem degradation is accelerating due to factors such as land-use conflicts, agricultural and urban expansion, timber extraction, extractive industries, and infrastructure development, among others.
Thus, the results of this survey reveal a dual perception of Colombia’s environmental future: on the one hand, there is concern about the effects of the climate crisis; on the other, there remains a conviction that the country has the capacities and resources necessary to move toward a more balanced and sustainable development model.