With the interest of facing the environmental challenges associated with the expansion of the  PanamaCanal, the promotion of sustainable development activities in the aquatic way and the reduction of emissions of the world maritime industry, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP, in Spanish) created an strategy called the Green Route (Ruta Verde).

A document points out that among the components of the concept is the commitment environmental-partner leadership of ACP in the basin of Panama Canal , by executing the program Economic Environmental Incentives, which will directly influence in the conservation of water resources and improve the quality of life of thousands of residents in the Basin.

The expansion program of the Panama Canal will
allow important reductions in emissions of CO2 in the planet, as a result of the decrease in time and fuel consumption in this route of maritime transportation.

ACP has established a plan of mitigation or compensation of the environmental impact of the Canal expansion, as well as an effective program of monitoring and follow up, endorsed through independent audits fulfilling international and national requirements.

This program is designed to protect and preserve the water resources of the Basin of the Panama Canal, in quantity and quality, for the operation of the water way and the supply of water for consumption for the population of the main cities in the country.

The document points out that the incentives program promotes good practices  of conservation and handling of natural resources, through the use of market tools that allow assigning an economic value to natural resources.

The program will comprehend a 20 year period  (2009-2028), and will cover approximately 20.000 hectares of the Canal Basin. In addition, the plan will reduce CO2 emissions by incorporating forestry activities, since it has been demonstrated that growing trees have the ability  of absorbing Carbon Dioxide (CO2), which causes the greenhouse effect that´s contributing to global warming.