Good news for the planet this week: Colombian Amazon — which covers about 42% of Colombia’s territory — has officially been declared off-limits for any new oil or large-scale mining projects.

Irene Vélez Torres, Acting Environment Minister, announced the move at the COP30 climate summit, calling it a “reserve for renewable natural resources.” The goal: to protect forests, rivers and biodiversity from further degradation — and to help safeguard the global climate.

With this decision, Colombia becomes one of the first countries to commit its entire Amazon region to long-term conservation. The ban will prevent hundreds of planned oil and mining blocks — many still in bidding or planning phases — from ever being developed.

Some critics warn existing extractive contracts remain untouched, and success will depend on enforcement. But for now, this much is clear: Colombia has chosen protection over profit — giving the Amazon a chance to breathe.