Press and News Leading by example: Transforming the Alliance Palmira campus into a living lab for Sustainability

by María Antonia López Arango

At the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, a leading scientific research organization for people and the planet, we believe in not only developing innovative solutions through science but also putting them into practice in our daily operations. Guided by this commitment, we are proud to launch the 2025 Sustainability Report for Palmira campus in Colombia.  

This document goes far beyond a routine compliance report. It reflects how we are consolidating the Palmira campus in Colombia into a true "living lab," where world-class science and daily operational aspects connect strategically to mitigate climate change and foster community well-being.

An institutional commitment guided by global standards 

The development of this report is an integral part of our Sustainability Policy and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Plan. To guarantee the highest level of transparency and rigor, the entire process of measuring and articulating these results was closely coordinated with the Green Campus committee. Under their guidance, our facility management is evaluated against the demanding international GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) standards, ensuring that our environmental and social indicators are measurable, comparable, and fully aligned with global best corporate practices.

Measurable impact: The milestones of "Juntos Transformamos" 

Through the institutional strategy “Juntos Transformamos: Campus Sostenible” (Together We Transform: Sustainable Campus), our commitment to sustainability yielded tangible, significant milestones in 2025 across three key areas:

  • Mitigation: a verified reduction of 4,351 tCO2eq in the campus's total operational emissions. 
  • Transition to clean energy: 41% of the electricity consumed by laboratories, offices, and campus infrastructure now comes from solar photovoltaic sources. 
  • Social Sustainability & Safety: We have reached 100% coverage in our Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) system, consolidating a safe, secure, and equitable environment for our entire scientific and operational community. 

These achievements prove that it is entirely possible to operate international research centers with a minimal environmental footprint. We are moving forward with firm steps toward our vision of being an undeniable benchmark for agrosustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"Palmira campus is more than a place where innovation happens; it is a space where we test, apply, and scale sustainable practices. This report reflects our commitment and progress in aligning our operations with our mission and delivering tangible environmental and social impact." 

''Every action we undertake at the Palmira Campus is guided by a simple conviction: we are part of nature, and our future depends on how we relate to it. That is why we have made sustainability a daily habit, integrating people’s well-being, environmental stewardship, and transparency into our decisions and actions. This report reflects the power of working in harmony with our surroundings and demonstrates that it is possible to build a future where development and nature thrive together''.

Shaping a Sustainable Future

Our 2025 Sustainability Report demonstrates that environmental responsibility begins at home. By optimizing resources and reducing operational footprint, we reaffirm that sustainability is one of the viable paths to building the future of global agriculture and food security. 

We invite you to explore the data, methodologies, and stories behind this institutional milestone. 

Read the full Palmira Campus 2025 Sustainability Report

Further reading