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The Mother Earth Law is a piece of legislation that epitomises Bolivia's dedication to sustainable development, respecting the balance between human life and the natural environment, and prioritising the rights and knowledge of the country's majority indigenous population. The expressed objective of the law is to 'establish the vision and fundamentals of integral development in harmony and balance with Mother Earth to Live Well, guaranteeing the continued capacity of Mother Earth to regenerate natural systems, recuperating and strengthening local and ancestral practices, within the framework of rights, obligations and responsibilities'.
 
 In relation to climate change the law has many provisions that outline the state's vision, citizens' rights, and responsibilities. It embraces the concept of 'climate justice', defined by the ability of all Bolivian citizens to 'Live Well', especially those who are most vulnerable to climate change. It reinforces the point that some states have more of a global responsibility to respond to climate change.
 
 To encourage sustainable development of natural resources, it states that climate change trajectories should be accounted for when planning and zoning responsible land use.
 
 The law focuses on reducing the risks posed by climate change through six lines of actions:
The permanent incorporation of prevention of and managed response to natural disasters into the System of Integral Planning
Risk management for the agricultural sector to prevent diminished crop yields and food insecurity
The adoption of risk management of disasters as well as adaption to climate change across state development projects; development of informational networks to issue early warnings in times of natural crisis as well as to assist the agricultural industry and indigenous communities plan according to climate conditions
Strengthening territorial management processes of sub-national governments through the incorporation of risk management and adaption to climate change perspectives
Articulation between public and private scientific research sectors to share knowledge and co-ordinate research regarding vulnerabilities related to climate change
 
 The Law defines 'Living Well' in relation to climate change and lays out the state's legal obligations. The state will develop policies, strategies and legal techniques to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to them through strengthening institutional capacities for the monitoring of climate with the purpose of long-term planning. The state will also encourage the recuperation of traditional indigenous practices that were historically sustainable and allowed for the natural regeneration of resources.
 
 The law also establishes the Plurinational Authority of Mother Earth, within the Ministry of Environment and Water, as the state entity responsible for much of the development, overseeing and co-ordination of projects, programmes and research as it relates to climate change and the objectives of the Plurinational Plan for Climate Change. It also co-ordinates scientific monitoring of GHG emissions. The entity will operate within the framework of 'climate justice,' following the principles of Bolivia's climate change politics.
 
 The Authority will operate through three mechanisms: (1) Joint Mechanism of Mitigation and Adaptation for the Integral and Sustainable Management of Mother Earth's Forests; (2) Mitigation Mechanism to 'Living Well'; and (3) Adaptation Mechanism to 'Living Well'.
 
 The Authority is also responsible for the management of the Plurinational Fund of Mother Earth. The Fund will be financed with multilateral and bilateral aid, public money from the national government allocated to mitigation or adaptation, funds from private donors, national or international loans, and funds at the disposal of the executive branch.

This law creates a national framework for disaster prevention and resilience as well as protocols for responding to disasters. It incorporates a climate change perspective by including measures that aim to adapt to changing climate conditions. The law creates the National Advisory for the Reduction of Risks and Attention to Disasters, which will include the national as well as provincial and municipal governments. The board allows for regional governments to declare a state of emergency without a federal decree. It further decentralizes responsibility to local governments to implement resiliency plans in preparation for climate and natural disasters before they occur.  The law creates an initial fund of 0.15% of the national budget, amounting to BOB80m (USD11.6m) to fund humanitarian aid during aftermath of natural disasters.

Law No. 602 of Risks Management

The Mother Earth Law is a piece of legislation that epitomises Bolivia's dedication to sustainable development, respecting the balance between human life and the natural environment, and prioritising the rights and knowledge of the country's majority indigenous population. The expressed objective of the law is to 'establish the vision and fundamentals of integral development in harmony and balance with Mother Earth to Live Well, guaranteeing the continued capacity of Mother Earth to regenerate natural systems, recuperating and strengthening local and ancestral practices, within the framework of rights, obligations and responsibilities'.  In relation to climate change the law has many provisions that outline the state's vision, citizens' rights, and responsibilities. It embraces the concept of 'climate justice', defined by the ability of all Bolivian citizens to 'Live Well', especially those who are most vulnerable to climate change. It reinforces the point that some states have more of a global responsibility to respond to climate change.  To encourage sustainable development of natural resources, it states that climate change trajectories should be accounted for when planning and zoning responsible land use.  The law focuses on reducing the risks posed by climate change through six lines of actions:The permanent incorporation of prevention of and managed response to natural disasters into the System of Integral PlanningRisk management for the agricultural sector to prevent diminished crop yields and food insecurityThe adoption of risk management of disasters as well as adaption to climate change across state development projects; development of informational networks to issue early warnings in times of natural crisis as well as to assist the agricultural industry and indigenous communities plan according to climate conditionsStrengthening territorial management processes of sub-national governments through the incorporation of risk management and adaption to climate change perspectivesArticulation between public and private scientific research sectors to share knowledge and co-ordinate research regarding vulnerabilities related to climate change The Law defines 'Living Well' in relation to climate change and lays out the state's legal obligations. The state will develop policies, strategies and legal techniques to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to them through strengthening institutional capacities for the monitoring of climate with the purpose of long-term planning. The state will also encourage the recuperation of traditional indigenous practices that were historically sustainable and allowed for the natural regeneration of resources.  The law also establishes the Plurinational Authority of Mother Earth, within the Ministry of Environment and Water, as the state entity responsible for much of the development, overseeing and co-ordination of projects, programmes and research as it relates to climate change and the objectives of the Plurinational Plan for Climate Change. It also co-ordinates scientific monitoring of GHG emissions. The entity will operate within the framework of 'climate justice,' following the principles of Bolivia's climate change politics.  The Authority will operate through three mechanisms: (1) Joint Mechanism of Mitigation and Adaptation for the Integral and Sustainable Management of Mother Earth's Forests; (2) Mitigation Mechanism to 'Living Well'; and (3) Adaptation Mechanism to 'Living Well'.  The Authority is also responsible for the management of the Plurinational Fund of Mother Earth. The Fund will be financed with multilateral and bilateral aid, public money from the national government allocated to mitigation or adaptation, funds from private donors, national or international loans, and funds at the disposal of the executive branch.

The Mother Earth Law and Integral Development to Live Well, Law No 300

The Supreme Decree 5264 establishes guidelines for managing and accessing climate financing within Bolivia, aligning with the country's commitments to climate action as outlined in the Paris Agreement and its NDC. It is deeply rooted in the principles established by Law No. 300, the Mother Earth and Integral Development Framework for Living Well, emphasising the need to protect the Rights of Mother Earth and indigenous peoples, aligning with Bolivia's commitment to addressing climate change through mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage management.
It defines climate financing as resources aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting adaptation efforts. The decree mandates that all climate financing efforts, including mitigation and adaptation projects, be centrally registered and overseen by the state to ensure compliance with national and international obligations.
The decree sets forth principles for climate financing, including sovereignty, transparency, equitable responsibility, and precautionary principle. It also creates the National Registry of Programs and Projects (RENAPP) to systematically track and report on climate initiatives, avoiding duplication and ensuring accountability. The decree assigns specific roles to various ministries for project evaluation, registration, and negotiation of climate financing mechanisms, emphasising the importance of coordinated efforts across sectors to effectively manage and access climate funds

Supreme Decree 5264, establishing guidelines for the management and access to climate finance

This Supreme Decree authorises the signing of a credit agreement with the French Development Agency (AFD) to finance the "Programme to Support Sustainable Economic Recovery and Climate Change Resilience in Bolivia", in accordance with Law No. 300 (Framework Law of Mother Earth and Integral Development for Living Well), which mandates the Plurinational State of Bolivia to formulate and implement policies and programmes for integral development in harmony with Mother Earth (art. 10 No.3).

Supreme Decree 4802, authorising a financing agreement for the "Programme to Support Sustainable Economic Recovery and Climate Change Resilience in Bolivia"

This Bolivia Supreme Decree regulates the Plurinational Authority of Mother Earth and Climate Change, implementing Law No. 300 (Law of Mother Earth and Integral Development for Living Well) by establishing regulations for the Plurinational Authority of Mother Earth (APMT), its operational mechanisms, and trust fund modalities.  It establishes a comprehensive institutional structure that combines climate action with the notion of 'Living Well' (Vivir Bien) and the rights of Mother Earth, into climate governance frameworks. Within that context, the functions of the APMT authority includes (1) the development and implementation of national climate change policy and planning; (2) management of the Plurinational Fund of Mother Earth; (3) coordination of climate action across governmental bodies; and (4) monitoring and evaluation of climate policy implementation. 
Noteworthy, this Supreme Decree establishes particular regulation for two climate change operational mechanisms: (1) Mitigation Mechanism for Living Well, operating through a sectoral approach, focusing on the Energy sector, Industrial economic-productive sector, and Climate mitigation services sector. (2) Adaptation Mechanism for Living Well, targeting most vulnerable areas to climate impacts through priority programmes, including life systems resilience for food security and sovereignty, climate risk prevention and risk reduction, integrated water management, climate related education and health programmes. 
Equally, the Supreme Decree 1696 implements the Plurinational Information System and Integral Monitoring of Mother Earth and Climate Change (MTCC System), which encompasses environmental functions and life systems, considering climate change impacts across different sectors, productive systems, and territories.

Supreme Decree 1696, laying down regulations on the Plurinational Authority of Mother Earth and Climate Change

The Bolivia Supreme Decree 5264 establishes a comprehensive framework for climate finance management and access, supporting the implementation of Bolivia's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Building upon Law 300 (Framework Law of Mother Earth and Integral Development for Living Well), this Supreme Decree emphasises the Bolivian vision for a development in harmony with Mother Earth for the living-well (Vivir-Bien), protecting both Mother Earth's rights and the rights of indigenous-peasant communities, particularly concerning climate crisis context.The Supreme Decree creates an institutional structure that distributes responsibilities across different ministries and establishes the National Registry of Programs and Projects (RENAPP) for tracking climate initiatives and emission reduction units. The decree assigns specific roles to key ministries: (1) evaluation and prioritisation of projects by the Ministries of Hydrocarbons and Energy, Environment and Water, and Rural Development; (2) management of RENAPP by the Ministry of Environment and Water; (3) oversight of debt-for-nature swaps and carbon credits by the Ministry of Economy and Public Finance; (4) access to climate finance mechanisms by the Ministry of Development Planning.Equally, this Supreme Decree establishes four fundamental guiding principles for climate finance: (1) Sovereignty, ensuring state control over natural resources and emission reduction units; (2) Transparency, requiring mandatory disclosure of climate finance information; (3) Common but Differentiated Responsibilities, aligning with UNFCCC and Paris Agreement principles; (4) Precautionary Principle, emphasising preventive measures for environmental protection.Moreover, the scope of the Supreme Decree encompasses public entities, state-owned enterprises, and private actors (both domestic and foreign), applying to both national and subnational climate change mitigation and adaptation projects.

Supreme Decree 5264, establishing the climate finance management and access guidelines for implementing Bolivia's Nationally Determined Contributions

This Regulatory Decree implements Law N° 602 on Risk Management in Bolivia, establishing a comprehensive framework for disaster risk reduction and emergency response. The decree is particularly noteworthy for its integration of climate change adaptation into risk management processes, operating under the concept of 'Living Well' (Vivir Bien) in harmony with Mother Earth. The legislation establishes climate change adaptation in risk management as adjustments in Mother Earth's living systems to prevent and minimise climate-related damages and risks, while creating the Technical Platform (CONARADE), which includes support from the Climate Change Impact Risk Prevention Programme.
It also mandates the Plurinational Authority of Mother Earth to establish methodological guidelines for including climate change effects in disaster risk analyses, particularly for hydrometeorological phenomena.
The decree implements four key processes: disaster risk identification and knowledge, disaster risk reduction, disaster and emergency response, and financial protection for risk management. Furthermore, it establishes five main planning instruments for risk management at both national and autonomous territorial entity levels: Development Plans, Territorial Planning Plans, Institutional Strategic Plans, Emergency and Contingency Plans, and Post-Disaster Recovery Plans. The legislation emphasises coordinated implementation between national and sub-national governments, integrating risk management into broader development planning whilst maintaining a strong focus on climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability.

Supreme Decree 2342  laying down regulations of the Risk Management Law

Bolivia's Law for the “Promotion of Grapes, Singani, Bolivian High Altitude Wines, and Bolivian Wines” establishes a comprehensive framework for promoting and strengthening the development of the productive complex of these products in a comprehensive, articulated, and coordinated manner with all actors of the plural economy and all levels of government in the Plurinational State of Bolivia. The legislation declares Singani and Bolivian High Altitude Wines as Cultural Heritage of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and Grapes, Singani, Bolivian High Altitude Wines, and Bolivian Wines as being of strategic interest to the country. The law mandates various ministries to coordinate actions for the promotion and strengthening of the productive complex. Regarding climate change, Article 5 (h) promotes actions for adaptation and resilience of productive systems to climate change, in accordance with the Law of Mother Earth and Integral Development for Living Well (Law No. 300).

Law 774 on the Promotion of Grapes, Singani, Bolivian High Altitude Wines, and Bolivian Wines

The Supreme Decree 2167 establishes Bolivia’s Food and Nutrition Policy (PAN) within the framework of “Saber Alimentarse para Vivir Bien” (Knowing How to Eat for Living Well), aligning with constitutional guarantees of the right to food and water and the relevant provisions of the Law 300 (Law of Mother Earth and Integral Development for Living Well). The policy underscores food as a human right, rejecting its treatment as a commodity and emphasising its role in social, cultural, economic, and political dimensions. It advances principles of food sovereignty, enabling states and communities to design and implement policies prioritising local production, small-scale farmers, and ecological sustainability.This policy integrates climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies to counter the environmental challenges impacting food systems, particularly for rural and indigenous communities. Through collaborative efforts between the state and civil society, the policy seeks to foster resilience, strengthen rural livelihoods, and promote equitable access to food, thus contributing to the holistic well-being of the Bolivian population.Indeed, central to the policy is the promotion of food security and nutrition through the cultivation, transformation, and consumption of local, diverse, and sustainable foods while addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. The policy is rooted in indigenous values and supports the recovery of ancestral knowledge, sustainable land and water management, agroecological practices, and community-based resource governance.

Supreme Decree 2167 approving the national "Food and Nutrition Policy"

Law 755 establishes Bolivia’s Integral Waste Management Framework, prioritising sustainable and environmentally sound practices for waste prevention, reduction, and disposal. This law, is expressly rooted in the principles of Law 300 of “Mother Earth and Integral Development for Living Well” (article 6- Law 755), integrating environmental protection with human rights, emphasising the interconnectedness of health, a balanced environment, and climate resilience. It applies to all entities generating or managing waste, although specific sectors like hydrocarbons, energy, and healthcare are governed by special sectoral regulations.
The law is guided by principles including alignment with climate change mitigation strategies, fostering cleaner production processes, and promoting shared responsibility among public, private, and individual actors. It underscores the importance of reducing waste generation at its source, enhancing recycling markets, and ensuring the safe disposal of hazardous materials. Recognising the (climate) impacts of poor waste management, the law incorporates provisions for reducing contamination of air, soil, and water resources, highlighting their critical role in mitigating environmental and health risks.
Further, the law mandates institutional collaboration, public participation, and education to drive effective waste management while encouraging the adoption of agroecological and technological innovations. It explicitly links waste management to broader environmental policies such as risk management (which also contains climate provisions), water and sanitation, and climate change adaptation, aiming to align local actions with global sustainability goals.

Law 755 on integral waste management framework

Law Ley Nº 338 establishes a framework to promote sustainable family agriculture and diversified activities among Bolivia’s peasant, indigenous, and Afro-Bolivian communities. Grounded in Bolivia’s Constitution and complementary laws, particularly the Law N 300 (Law of Mother Earth and Integral Development for Living Well) it aligns agricultural practices with principles of environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic solidarity. The law declares sustainable family agriculture a matter of public and national interest, emphasising its role in food sovereignty, rural livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation.
A key focus of Ley Nº 338 is its integration with Bolivia’s climate change framework, particularly the Plurinational Plan of Climate Change for Living Well and mechanisms established under Law 300. It mandates that agricultural participants engage in agroforestry and conservation programs, generate data on mitigation and adaptation, and implement ancestral knowledge to address climate impacts. These efforts aim to harmonise agricultural development with environmental integrity while fostering food security and community resilience. By linking sustainable agriculture to the ethical principles of Living Well, the law aims to advance Bolivia’s vision of socio-economic development in balance with “Mother Earth”.

Law 338 on Peasant, Indigenous, and Native Economic Organisations (OECAs) and Community Economic Organizations (OECOMs) for the integration of sustainable family agriculture and food sovereignty

The Plurinational Policy on Climate Change (PPCC), updated in 2023 by Bolivia's Plurinational Authority of Mother Earth, provides a comprehensive framework for managing the climate crisis. Rooted in Law 300 (Law of Mother Earth and Integral Development for Living Well), the policy integrates ancestral knowledge and innovative strategies to address the dual challenges of mitigation and adaptation, aiming to protect the rights of Mother Earth while fostering sustainable development under the paradigm of Living Well (Vivir Bien).
The Bolivian Plurinational Policy adopts an interdisciplinary approach with four strategic pillars: (1) an integrated focus on forest and Mother Earth management; (2) climate mitigation, emphasising the energy, industrial, and service sectors; (3) climate adaptation and resilience in vulnerable regions; and (4) cross-cutting actions ensuring transparency, gender equity, and intergenerational justice.
These efforts aim to be aligned with Bolivia's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, which target emission reductions and the preservation of ecosystems, including reducing deforestation by 80% and achieving universal access to resilient water systems by 2030. Operationally, the PPCC leverages mechanisms like the Joint Mitigation and Adaptation Mechanism and sectoral contributions to enhance forest conservation, renewable energy transitions, and sustainable agriculture. It underscores non-market approaches to climate finance, rejecting commodification of environmental functions. Guided by principles of climate justice, the PPCC addresses structural drivers of the climate crisis, advocating for collective global responsibility and the repayment of historical climate debts by developed nations.

Law No. 602 of Risks Management

Main document

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About the The Mother Earth Law and Integral Development to Live Well, Framework Law No 300