Corporación Autónoma Regional del Atlántico

What Corporación Autónoma Regional del Atlántico does

The Corporación Autónoma Regional del Atlántico (C.R.A.) is a Colombian decentralized public entity established under Law 99 of 1993 and operating under the supervision of the Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible. It is the statutory regional environmental authority for the Atlántico department, holding exclusive regulatory power over environmental licensing, natural resource concessions, sanctions, and land-use planning across the 22 municipalities of Atlántico plus the Distrito de Barranquilla. Its functional remit spans water and air quality monitoring, biodiversity conservation, protected-area administration, climate-change adaptation, disaster-risk management, waste-management registration (RESPEL/PCB), and sustainable-business development (Negocios Verdes).

C.R.A.'s technology stack is built around a portfolio of national and proprietary platforms: SIAC (national environmental information system), SIUR (renewable natural resource tracking), the Geovisor Ambiental Integrado (spatial environmental geoviewer), Sistema de Telemonitoreo de Ciénaga de Mallorquín (wetland remote monitoring), AtlantiCO2 (GHG monitoring), the ERA water-stress tool, and PIGCCT (territorial climate-change management plan). Operational systems are ICONTEC-certified under ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. Recent operational investments include a pilot 2-kilowatt hydrokinetic turbine in the Magdalena River, biotechnology-based treatment of over 1 million m³ of water at Ciénaga del Rincón, and ongoing construction of wastewater treatment plants in Piojó (95% complete) and Juan de Acosta (89% complete).

C.R.A.'s revenue model is non-commercial: it is funded through annual budget allocations from the Colombian national government and departmental resources, supplemented by statutorily mandated environmental fees and service charges. All environmental management services are provided free of charge to citizens and organizations within its jurisdiction; 2025 budget execution exceeded 94%. The entity is governed by a Consejo Directivo and an Asamblea Corporativa, and has no private shareholders, venture backing, or external investors.

Name

Corporación Autónoma Regional del Atlántico

Legal name

Corporación Autónoma Regional del Atlántico

Website

https://crautonoma.gov.co

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

C.R.A. is the Colombian regional environmental authority for the Atlántico department, regulating natural resources, environmental licensing, and conservation across 22 municipalities plus Barranquilla. It operates information and monitoring platforms, executes protected-area and water-treatment infrastructure, and is funded by government budget allocations and regulatory fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Regulatory Services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Monitoring, Data & Reporting (Air/Water/Soil) (BPAIAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG), Pollution Control & Environmental Compliance Enforcement (BPAIAMAB)

Keywords

• Environmental regulation
• Natural resource management
• Environmental permits
• Water resource monitoring
• Climate change adaptation

Headquarters

HQ city

Barranquilla

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Environmental Fees and Service Charges: C.R.A. collects environmental service fees, water usage rates, and charges for environmental permits and licenses. These are regulatory fees mandated by Colombian environmental law, not commercial revenue.
2. Government Budget Allocation: As a public autonomous corporation, C.R.A. receives annual budget allocations from the Colombian national government and departmental resources for environmental management, conservation, and administrative operations. Budget execution reported at over 94% in 2025.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

C.R.A. is the regional environmental authority for the Atlántico department of Colombia, administering environmental licensing, natural resource permits, biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation programs, water and air quality monitoring, protected areas management, and waste regulation. It provides digital platforms for environmental reporting and citizen services, and delivers environmental education and sustainability programs across the department.

Product overview

Corporación Autónoma Regional del Atlántico (C.R.A.) operates as a Colombian regional environmental authority offering a portfolio of environmental management services, regulatory functions, and digital platforms. The organization's digital ecosystem includes information systems (SIAC, SIUR), monitoring tools (Geovisor Ambiental Integrado, Sistema de Telemonitoreo Ciénaga de Mallorquín), climate platforms (AtlantiCO2, ERA Tool, PIGCCT), and citizen services (PQRSD, online payments, environmental permits). C.R.A. complements its regulatory role with educational programs (C.R.A. para Niños, ERLA), sustainability initiatives (Negocios Verdes), and recognition programs (Premio GEMAS). The organization focuses on environmental conservation, water resource management, protected areas administration, climate action, and sustainable development in the Atlantic department.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Environmental Permits and Procedures Environmental licensing, permits, and regulatory procedures for industrial and development activities operating within the Atlántico department. Services cover emissions, wastewater discharges, concessions, and other regulated activities.
• Water Quality Monitoring Service Water quality monitoring services for water bodies across the Atlántico department, providing data on the environmental status of rivers, wetlands, and other water systems.
• Air Quality Monitoring Service Air quality monitoring services for the Atlántico department, tracking atmospheric conditions and emissions across the region.
• Negocios Verdes Atlántico Sustainable entrepreneurship and green economy program promoting environmentally responsible business development and registration of green businesses operating in the Atlántico department.
• C.R.A para Niños Environmental education program for children featuring ecosystems of Atlántico, ecotourism, games, and the Green Route of Atlántico.
• Catálogo de Flora & Fauna Catalog of flora and fauna species in the Atlántico department, documenting regional biodiversity for public and research use.
• Pagos en Línea Online payment platform for environmental fees and services rendered by C.R.A. to businesses and citizens.
• PQRSD System Petitions, Complaints, Claims, Suggestions and Denunciations system for citizen and stakeholder engagement with C.R.A.
• SIUR - Information Subsystem on Renewable Natural Resources Use Information subsystem for tracking use of renewable natural resources, including RUA (Unique Environmental Registry), RESPEL (Hazardous Waste Generators), and PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) registrations used by regulated entities.
• Geovisor Ambiental Integrado Integrated environmental geoviewer platform providing spatial visualization and monitoring of environmental data, critical points, and risk areas across the Atlántico department.
• AtlantiCO2 Climate change and greenhouse gas monitoring platform for the Atlántico department, tracking CO2 emissions and climate indicators.
• Evaluación Regional del Agua (ERA) Tool Regional Water Evaluation tool providing water stress conditions and water usage data for the Atlántico department.
• Sistema de Telemonitoreo Ciénaga de Mallorquín Remote monitoring system for Mallorquín swamp providing real-time environmental surveillance data for the wetland ecosystem.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million cubic meters of water and 160,255 m³ of sediments recovered in water ecosystems
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Universidad del NorteflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026C.R.A. and Universidad del Norte signed a Memorandum of Understanding for joint research, innovation, academic training, technical cooperation, and environmental project formulation. This partnership was formalized during the I Cumbre de Finanzas Verdes y Azules – Puerta de Oro a la Sostenibilidad. The collaboration aims to generate applied knowledge, strengthen technical capacities, and promote innovation as a driver of environmental and social transformation in Atlántico and the Caribbean region.
• Carnaval S.A.S.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025C.R.A. maintains a strategic alliance with Carnaval S.A.S. for the 'Carnaval Sostenible' initiative, integrating environmental education into Colombia's biggest festival. The 'Somos Agua' strategy uses carnival aesthetics for environmental pedagogy, addressing water conservation, waste reduction (especially plastics), and biodiversity awareness at major events including Guacherna, Batalla de Flores, and Carnival of Baranoa and Galapa. The Carnival of Barranquilla became Colombia's first festival to receive NTS-TS 006-1 sustainability certification.
• UltracemflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUltracem is the co-organizer of the GEMAS Environmental Awards alongside C.R.A. This public-private partnership has been running for 11 editions and has become one of Colombia's most important environmental recognition programs, driving environmental leadership, sustainable innovation, and social responsibility nationwide.
• AliticcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC.R.A. partners with Alitic for the 'Atlántico Respira Ambiente' annual photography contest, now in its fifth edition. This initiative strengthens environmental awareness through art, inviting photographers to document the ecological richness and landscape diversity of Atlántico.
• Gobierno del Atlántico (Gobernación del Atlántico)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe government of Atlántico department is a key institutional partner, collaborating on environmental programs, protected areas, and regional development projects. Logo displayed on C.R.A.'s allied entities page.
• Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo SosteniblecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombia's Ministry of Environment is the national supervisory authority for C.R.A. and a key partner in policy implementation, Ramsar site management, and environmental regulation. Logo displayed on allied entities page.
• IDEAM (Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombia's national hydrology and meteorology institute is a key technical partner for C.R.A.'s environmental monitoring, IDEAM reports, and POMCA formulation. Logo displayed on allied entities page.
• Ministerio de Ambiente - Ventanilla Integral de Trámites Ambientales en Línea (VITAL)coreTechnology or IntegrationC.R.A. integrates with VITAL, the national online environmental permits window, providing a unified digital platform for environmental administrative procedures across Colombia.
• CAF – Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina y el CaribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAF participated in the Primera Cumbre Finanzas Verdes y Azules del Caribe Colombiano as the opening conference speaker, presenting global trends in green and blue finance and opportunities for Latin America to attract sustainability-oriented investments.
• Observatorio Iberoamericano de Ambiente, Sostenibilidad y Desarrollo LocalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerC.R.A. participated in the International Academic Cooperation Encounter organized by this observatory, which brings together universities and public, private, and environmental actors to integrate knowledge, experiences, and capabilities for environmental sustainability and local development.
• Universidad de Cantabria (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhD. Mauricio González Rodríguez of Universidad de Cantabria collaborated with C.R.A. on environmental, hydrodynamic, and morphodynamic studies for the recovery and sustainability of Ciénagas de Mallorquín, Manatíes, and Balboa. Studies conducted with the Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de Cantabria.
• Contraloría General de la RepúblicacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombia's supreme audit institution works with C.R.A. on oversight of environmental infrastructure projects (PTARs) and conducts public accountability hearings with communities in municipalities like Piojó and Juan de Acosta.
• Arquidiótesis de BarranquillacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC.R.A. partners with the Archdiocese of Barranquilla for the 'Semana Santa en paz con la naturaleza' campaign, delivering environmental messages through 8 parishes, distributing 5,000 seedlings and information materials to promote biodiversity protection and替代palm use.
• ASOCARS (Asociación de Corporaciones Autónomas Regionales y de Desarrollo Sostenible)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC.R.A. is a member of ASOCARS, the national association of Colombian regional autonomous corporations. Logo displayed on allied entities page.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves1 record

Direct peers

• Corporación Autónoma Regional de Cundinamarca (CAR): Colombia's largest regional environmental authority, also created under Law 99/1993 with jurisdiction over natural resources, permitting, and protected areas. Directly comparable as a peer CAR with the same statutory mandate, fee structure, and ASOCARS membership.
• Corporación Autónoma Regional de Risaralda (CARDER): Mid-sized Colombian CAR with parallel functions in permits, water monitoring, and environmental education. Comparable peer in scale and program structure to C.R.A.
• Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca (CVC): Long-standing regional environmental authority for Valle del Cauca with an analogous portfolio of permits, water resource management, and biodiversity programs. Comparable in operational scope, fee structure, and regulatory powers.
• Corporación Autónoma Regional del Cauca (CRC): Regional environmental authority for Cauca department, sharing C.R.A.'s structure of water basin management, environmental permits, and community conservation programs. A direct Colombian CAR peer.
• Corporación Autónoma Regional de Antioquia (CORANTIOQUIA): Regional autonomous corporation for Antioquia with parallel mandate over environmental licensing, watershed management, and protected area administration. Closely aligned operating model and ASOCARS peer.

Broad incumbents

• IDEAM (Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales): National hydrology, meteorology, and environmental studies institute that provides data, technical standards, and POMCA guidance consumed by C.R.A. Operates at national scale with overlapping environmental monitoring scope.
• Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible de Colombia: National-level environmental authority and C.R.A.'s supervisory parent. Sets the policy framework within which C.R.A. and all other CARs operate; comparable as the overarching regulatory incumbent.

Emerging players

• Establecimiento Público Ambiental Barranquilla Verde: District-level environmental authority for Barranquilla that co-exists with C.R.A.'s departmental mandate. Comparable in urban environmental management scope and partially overlapping jurisdiction within the capital district.

Regional players

• Corporación Autónoma Regional del Magdalena (CORPAMAG): Neighboring Caribbean-coast CAR with overlapping jurisdictional interest in the Magdalena River basin and Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta Ramsar site. Comparable in mandate and coastal wetland focus, but serves a different department.

Others

• ASOCARS (Asociación de Corporaciones Autónomas Regionales y de Desarrollo Sostenible): National association of all Colombian CARs of which C.R.A. is a member. Provides coordination, training, and policy representation; comparable as the institutional ecosystem in which C.R.A. operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/crautonoma
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/craatlantico/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/CraAtlantico
• Instagraminstagram.com/somos_cra
• TikToktiktok.com/@crautonoma_
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cra-atlantico

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Corporación Autónoma Regional del Atlántico