Mangrove carbon capture
Mangroves store 10x more carbon than trees, protecting coastlines, improving water quality and providing marine life habitats.
Markets
Ecosystem-based coastal protection combining natural and built solutions
Colombia is transitioning from an exclusively gray infrastructure to hybrid coastal protection. The CDM Smith team implemented ecosystem-based adaptation—mangrove forests, beaches and seagrass beds—meeting global Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) standards while engaging local communities to secure long-term environmental and economic benefits.
Sea grape coastal stabilization
Over 15,000 sea grape seedlings were planted along the Ciénaga's shoreline to stabilize sand dunes and fight coastal erosion.
Hybrid green and gray infrastructure
Existing gray infrastructure works with new green elements to simultaneously rehabilitate the region’s ecosystems.
Monitoring and capacity building
A web-based platform tracks erosion and adaptation impacts, strengthening capacity to implement future solutions.
Germany-based experts from CDM Smith, as subconsultants to the German Federal Ministry Consulting Group funding the project, played a pivotal part in advising and monitoring progress. “I am grateful to support the project staff in addressing the environmental and socio-economic threats to Colombia’s coastline. Using ecosystem-based adaptation measures, we were able to create added benefits for local communities and ecosystems,” said Matthias Mueller, project manager and team leader.
Meet Our Practice Leaders
Eric Kalmbach
Division Manager
Eric Kalmbach brings expertise in environmental, water and transport infrastructure projects in developing countries.
Matthias Müller
Senior Project Manager
Matthias Müller brings extensive experience in climate change adaptation and mitigation, including nature based solution, ecosystem based adaptation, natural resource management, forest conservation and sustainable land management.