Gran Tierra Energy’s Conservation Footprint

Gran Tierra Energy’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) states that GTE will minimize the footprint of project activities throughout the operations and that full remediation and reclamation will follow the cessation of operations. The plan also mandates that the company respect land use by local communities and that the company’s daily work activities shall minimize impacts on local land uses.

Up until the end of 2023 Gran Tierra’s conservation footprint, including land reforested, conserved and preserved totaled 4,514 hectares compared to our operations footprint of only 144 hectares. Read the following stories to learn more about Gran Tierra’s Environmental Management Plan and Waste Management Plan.

Supporting Community Environmental Monitoring in Ecuador
GTE maintains transparency about its environmental practices by ensuring stakeholders are well-equipped to understand, analyze, and respond to the information they receive, some of which can include highly technical data. In 2023, GTE offered an Environmental Monitoring Training workshop to help people living in the community of Unión Balsareña, who live near the Company’s operations […]
Innovative Conservation Agreements Protect Sensitive Areas
One of the highlights of GTE’s work this year with the Putumayo Biodiversity and Development Initiative was the restoration of 29 hectares within the Orito Ingi-Ande Flora Sanctuary for Medicinal Plants. Dialogue with 15 families who were living in the protected zone and cultivating coca, resulted in important conservation agreements to protect the land. As […]
NaturAmazonas: Gran Tierra’s Largest Environmental Initiative
NaturAmazonas, the flagship conservation program started by GTE and Conservation International, has grown into an alliance of public and private institutions working together to address the root causes of deforestation. It works to develop solutions for reversing the process, while increasing the well-being of nearby communities. GTE’s program has grown into a joint effort between […]
GTE's Environmental Management Plan
Gran Tierra Energy’s company-wide Environmental Management Plan (EMP) addresses how it handles environmental issues arising from its exploration and development projects and other operations. The Plan is based on the environmental performance standards of the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation and reflects best industry practices. It will be amended and updated periodically. In any instances […]
Waste Management
Gran Tierra’s Waste Management Plan (WMP) recognizes the Company’s responsibility to manage wastes properly. Waste is handled independently, according to the type (contaminated, organic, unusable or recyclable), through a process of separation at source. One of the goals of internal management is always to reduce at the source the different waste generated by the operation […]
Emissions Reduction: Reporting
Gran Tierra Energy’s environmental policy calls for the Company to track its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and take steps to reduce them wherever economically feasible. Gran Tierra continues to voluntarily retain a respected expert in the field of air quality, to create an assessment of its greenhouse gas emissions in Colombia and Ecuador. This assessment […]
Emissions Reduction: Nature-Based Solutions
Nature-based solutions are an important pillar of Gran Tierra’s emissions reductions efforts, and the company supports environmental projects that aid in natural carbon sequestration. Natural carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric CO2, as forests, wetlands and vegetation sequester carbon by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converting it into organic […]
Emissions Reduction: Gas-to-Power
Gran Tierra’s ongoing effort to reduce direct emissions by converting associated gas produced from its wells into an energy source for its operations, continues to generate results. Additionally, converting gas to electricity significantly reduces the demand on municipal utilities, increases fiscal resilience by lowering unit production costs, and provides a more stable energy supply, while […]
Amazon Butterfly Species Guidebook
Butterflies are an important indicator for maintaining healthy ecosystems and are a critically important part of conservation and management practices in the area. An alliance of public and private institutions led by GTE and the industry group National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI), completed a study on the diversity of butterflies to better understand the […]
The Putumayo Biodiversity Initiative Enters a Second Phase
The Putumayo Biodiversity Initiative, a wide-ranging alliance of public and private institutions dedicated to preserving biodiversity in the Andean-Amazonian foothills in the department of Putumayo, entered its second phase in 2021. The initiative protects, conserves, and restores ecosystem connectivity and biodiversity through sustainable development. The initiative has become an important national benchmark for public-private investment […]
A Partnership with the Humboldt Institute
The partnership between Gran Tierra Energy and the Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute contributes to the understanding of biodiversity in the Putumayo and addressing concerns about industrial development in the area. Colombia has highly biodiverse areas, with large numbers of plant species, microorganisms, and fungi. However, some of the country’s ecosystems have deteriorated […]
An Alliance with ANDI
ANDI (the National Business Association of Colombia), Gran Tierra, the National Natural Parks of Colombia and the Humboldt Biological Research Institute, have partnered together in an alliance that is focused on ecosystem protection, restoration and connectivity, sustainable development of biodiversity and promoting sustainable development in the region. The alliance’s accomplishments thus far include:
Conserving Wild Cats
Gran Tierra’s pioneering initiative to promote wild cat conservation in the Colombian Amazon, has identified six feline species that use its Costayaco Forestry Centre as a habitat. The project, implemented by Corpoamazonia in partnership with Gran Tierra Energy, has achieved a number of accomplishments in the Alto Putumayo, Amazonian Andean Foothills and the Amazon Plain […]
Inviting Communities to Participate in Water Monitoring
In accordance with Company policy and regulations, Gran Tierra regularly monitors and analyzes surface and groundwater using an external lab certified by government authorities; however, a myth that the Company often encounters in local communities is that lab results released by a corporation must be compromised. To counter this, GTE will fund additional independent water […]
Stewardship of Natural Water Resources
Along with voluntary investments that conserve and protect the integrity of water sources near its operations, Gran Tierra continues to reduce freshwater consumption across the lifecycle of its operations. A comprehensive roadmap has been instituted to reduce the use of surface water where possible, with the goal of achieving zero surface water usage in the […]
ISO 14001 Certification
Gran Tierra Energy is ISO 14001 certified for its Environmental Management Systems. This certification is an international standard that specifies requirements for effective environmental management systems and has been granted to all of the Company’s operations and activities in Colombia. The scope determined by Gran Tierra Energy for the Environmental Management System under the ISO […]
The Costayaco Forestry Centre
The Costayaco Forestry Centre (CFC) is one of the most innovative reforestation efforts in South America that has grown to 335 hectares, located near the Company’s production facilities in Putumayo. Established in 2010 in coordination with regional environmental regulator Corpoamazonia, the facility has grown into a significant habitat for butterflies, birds, large felines and other […]
Strengthening Human Rights Throughout the Supply Chain
GTE expects contractors and suppliers to maintain business practices consistent with its own standards for its employees and operations including respect for Human Rights. While these expectations are embedded into GTE’s corporate policies and practices, the supply chain is an important Human Rights risk factor, especially with the large number of local vendors without policies […]

GTE maintains transparency about its environmental practices by ensuring stakeholders are well-equipped to understand, analyze, and respond to the information they receive, some of which can include highly technical data.

In 2023, GTE offered an Environmental Monitoring Training workshop to help people living in the community of Unión Balsareña, who live near the Company’s operations in the Chanangue block in Sucumbíos, Ecuador, more effectively observe and provide feedback about GTE’s environmental monitoring procedures. The workshop covered regulations, studies, surveys and management, and ecological monitoring methodology and practices.

Seventeen community members participated in the workshop, and the Company will also provide ongoing support to ensure community leaders and program participants can continue to engage environmental experts to support their oversight role.

“We look for opportunities to make the greatest social, environmental and Human Rights impact possible, rather than just checking a box.”
Gran Tierra Energy’s Conservation Footprint
Gran Tierra Energy’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) states that GTE will minimize the footprint of project activities throughout the operations and that full remediation and reclamation will follow the cessation of operations. The plan also mandates that the company respect land use by local communities and that the company’s daily work activities shall minimize impacts […]
Innovative Conservation Agreements Protect Sensitive Areas
One of the highlights of GTE’s work this year with the Putumayo Biodiversity and Development Initiative was the restoration of 29 hectares within the Orito Ingi-Ande Flora Sanctuary for Medicinal Plants. Dialogue with 15 families who were living in the protected zone and cultivating coca, resulted in important conservation agreements to protect the land. As […]
NaturAmazonas: Gran Tierra’s Largest Environmental Initiative
NaturAmazonas, the flagship conservation program started by GTE and Conservation International, has grown into an alliance of public and private institutions working together to address the root causes of deforestation. It works to develop solutions for reversing the process, while increasing the well-being of nearby communities. GTE’s program has grown into a joint effort between […]
GTE's Environmental Management Plan
Gran Tierra Energy’s company-wide Environmental Management Plan (EMP) addresses how it handles environmental issues arising from its exploration and development projects and other operations. The Plan is based on the environmental performance standards of the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation and reflects best industry practices. It will be amended and updated periodically. In any instances […]
Waste Management
Gran Tierra’s Waste Management Plan (WMP) recognizes the Company’s responsibility to manage wastes properly. Waste is handled independently, according to the type (contaminated, organic, unusable or recyclable), through a process of separation at source. One of the goals of internal management is always to reduce at the source the different waste generated by the operation […]
Emissions Reduction: Reporting
Gran Tierra Energy’s environmental policy calls for the Company to track its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and take steps to reduce them wherever economically feasible. Gran Tierra continues to voluntarily retain a respected expert in the field of air quality, to create an assessment of its greenhouse gas emissions in Colombia and Ecuador. This assessment […]
Emissions Reduction: Nature-Based Solutions
Nature-based solutions are an important pillar of Gran Tierra’s emissions reductions efforts, and the company supports environmental projects that aid in natural carbon sequestration. Natural carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric CO2, as forests, wetlands and vegetation sequester carbon by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converting it into organic […]
Emissions Reduction: Gas-to-Power
Gran Tierra’s ongoing effort to reduce direct emissions by converting associated gas produced from its wells into an energy source for its operations, continues to generate results. Additionally, converting gas to electricity significantly reduces the demand on municipal utilities, increases fiscal resilience by lowering unit production costs, and provides a more stable energy supply, while […]
Amazon Butterfly Species Guidebook
Butterflies are an important indicator for maintaining healthy ecosystems and are a critically important part of conservation and management practices in the area. An alliance of public and private institutions led by GTE and the industry group National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI), completed a study on the diversity of butterflies to better understand the […]
The Putumayo Biodiversity Initiative Enters a Second Phase
The Putumayo Biodiversity Initiative, a wide-ranging alliance of public and private institutions dedicated to preserving biodiversity in the Andean-Amazonian foothills in the department of Putumayo, entered its second phase in 2021. The initiative protects, conserves, and restores ecosystem connectivity and biodiversity through sustainable development. The initiative has become an important national benchmark for public-private investment […]
A Partnership with the Humboldt Institute
The partnership between Gran Tierra Energy and the Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute contributes to the understanding of biodiversity in the Putumayo and addressing concerns about industrial development in the area. Colombia has highly biodiverse areas, with large numbers of plant species, microorganisms, and fungi. However, some of the country’s ecosystems have deteriorated […]
An Alliance with ANDI
ANDI (the National Business Association of Colombia), Gran Tierra, the National Natural Parks of Colombia and the Humboldt Biological Research Institute, have partnered together in an alliance that is focused on ecosystem protection, restoration and connectivity, sustainable development of biodiversity and promoting sustainable development in the region. The alliance’s accomplishments thus far include:
Conserving Wild Cats
Gran Tierra’s pioneering initiative to promote wild cat conservation in the Colombian Amazon, has identified six feline species that use its Costayaco Forestry Centre as a habitat. The project, implemented by Corpoamazonia in partnership with Gran Tierra Energy, has achieved a number of accomplishments in the Alto Putumayo, Amazonian Andean Foothills and the Amazon Plain […]
Inviting Communities to Participate in Water Monitoring
In accordance with Company policy and regulations, Gran Tierra regularly monitors and analyzes surface and groundwater using an external lab certified by government authorities; however, a myth that the Company often encounters in local communities is that lab results released by a corporation must be compromised. To counter this, GTE will fund additional independent water […]
Stewardship of Natural Water Resources
Along with voluntary investments that conserve and protect the integrity of water sources near its operations, Gran Tierra continues to reduce freshwater consumption across the lifecycle of its operations. A comprehensive roadmap has been instituted to reduce the use of surface water where possible, with the goal of achieving zero surface water usage in the […]
ISO 14001 Certification
Gran Tierra Energy is ISO 14001 certified for its Environmental Management Systems. This certification is an international standard that specifies requirements for effective environmental management systems and has been granted to all of the Company’s operations and activities in Colombia. The scope determined by Gran Tierra Energy for the Environmental Management System under the ISO […]
The Costayaco Forestry Centre
The Costayaco Forestry Centre (CFC) is one of the most innovative reforestation efforts in South America that has grown to 335 hectares, located near the Company’s production facilities in Putumayo. Established in 2010 in coordination with regional environmental regulator Corpoamazonia, the facility has grown into a significant habitat for butterflies, birds, large felines and other […]
Strengthening Human Rights Throughout the Supply Chain
GTE expects contractors and suppliers to maintain business practices consistent with its own standards for its employees and operations including respect for Human Rights. While these expectations are embedded into GTE’s corporate policies and practices, the supply chain is an important Human Rights risk factor, especially with the large number of local vendors without policies […]

Gran Tierra Energy’s company-wide Environmental Management Plan (EMP) addresses how it handles environmental issues arising from its exploration and development projects and other operations.

View Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

The Plan is based on the environmental performance standards of the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation and reflects best industry practices. It will be amended and updated periodically. In any instances where local laws or regulations differ from the standards contained in Gran Tierra’s EMP, the Company will adhere to the more stringent requirement.

The EMP addresses issues like:

  • Defining a code of conduct for all workers
  • Conserving biodiversity
  • Minimizing construction impacts, flaring and water use
  • Controlling erosion
  • Optimizing road and pipeline routing and construction
  • Managing solid and liquid waste including hazardous substances
  • Protecting and preserving cultural and archaeological resources

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Image Gallery

Gran Tierra’s Waste Management Plan (WMP) recognizes the Company’s responsibility to manage wastes properly. Waste is handled independently, according to the type (contaminated, organic, unusable or recyclable), through a process of separation at source.

One of the goals of internal management is always to reduce at the source the different waste generated by the operation and ensure as far as possible that the greatest amount of waste generated be reusable. Two examples of the reuse of waste are:

  • At GTE’s Acordionero and Costayaco oil fields organic waste is composted. The compost is then used to fertilize gardens and to stabilize slope areas occupied by a project team.
  • Plastic generated at our Putumayo field operations is sent to a plastic recycling plant through a cooperative agreement that allows for more than 80% of the plastic to be transformed into products such as plastic wood posts, plastic wood planks, hoses and dustpans.

For waste that cannot be reused or recycled, the Company’s overall approach is to utilize capable third-party facilities, while minimizing volumes sent to sanitary landfills. It is taking steps to lower the volume of wastes to the extent possible and to recycle or reuse waste in cooperation with local communities when possible.

GTE has established a procedure for selecting waste management companies with the best environmental performance records in the region. This process requires a legal review of the Company, internal and external audits and a review of their relationships with the environmental authorities and with the neighbors of their facilities.

Image Gallery.

Image Gallery.