Photo Credit: Gonzalo Baeza

Today, Brookings Institution publishes a new paper by Guy Edwards, J. Timmons Roberts, Monica Araya, and Cristián Retamal on how the current round of the UN climate talks can catalyze climate action in Latin America. Members of Brown University’s Climate and Development Lab conducted the research for the case studies on Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela: Alison Kirsch, Sophie Purdom, Zihou Jiang, Cassidy Bennett, Camila Bustos, Alexis Duran, Maris Jones, Victoria Hoffmeister, Ximena Carranza-Risco, Marguerite SuozzoGolé, Allison Reilly, and Jeff Baum. 

In December over 190 countries will converge on Paris to finalize a new global agreement on climate change that is scheduled to come into force in 2020. A central part of it will be countries’ national pledges, or “intended nationally determined contributions” (INDCs), to be submitted this year which will serve as countries’ national climate change action plans. For Latin American countries, the INDCs present an unprecedented opportunity. They can be used as a strategic tool to set countries or at least some sectors on a cleaner path toward low-carbon sustainable development, while building resilience to climate impacts. The manner in which governments define their plans will determine the level of political buy-in from civil society and business. The implementation of ambitious contributions is more likely if constituencies consider them beneficial, credible, and legitimate.

By Monica Araya and Guy Edwards

This year marks a watershed for Latin America as governments decide what they are willing to contribute to a new climate agreement in Paris this December. This is not just a question of offers to tackle climate change - how governments define their plans will determine the level of political buy-in from citizens, civil society, and businesses. The implementation of ambitious and solid contributions is more likely if constituencies consider them beneficial, credible, and legitimate. 

The United Nations climate change negotiations live to fight another day, and Latin American countries have played important roles in their advance. The results of the Lima climate conference, or “COP20,” last December are generally considered a success—albeit a very limited one.  

The host nation Peru pulled one out of the bag at the talks—while a serious breakdown seemed imminent as time ran out, a last minute agreement was produced two days after the conference was scheduled to finish.

By Timmons Roberts 

The day after the People’s Climate March, and I’m awash with emotion. I’m exhausted, and exhilarated, from having gotten up before dawn to take a four-hour bus ride from Providence, Rhode Island to march for six hours through the streets of New York City with my 11-year-old daughter.

Por Alicia Villamizar* y Guy Edwards

El gobierno de Venezuela recibió elogios por la organización de la "Pre-COP Social", en julio pasado. El evento contó con la participación de más de 100 organizaciones dedicadas a promover la participación de la sociedad civil en las negociaciones del cambio climático ante la ONU. Para el próximo noviembre, se espera la elaboración de una declaración generada por las organizaciones invitadas bajo la coordinación del gobierno venezolano. Dicha declaración será entregada en el evento a ministros de varios países de cara a la Conferencia de las Partes de diciembre en Lima, Perú.

By Timmons Roberts 

Just as world leaders begin to assemble in New York for Ban Ki Moon’s summit to discuss how to increase global action to confront global warming, over 100,000 people took to the city’s streets demanding they do more than talk. Most of those leaders have been woefully behind the curve, but this may finally be the occasion upon which they have to listen and pay attention to citizens, who in growing numbers are calling for action.  The devastating effects of the ongoing drought in California, the tragic impacts of Hurricane Sandy, and dozens of other extreme weather events have pushed public concern over a tipping point.  Even the long silent Obama administration has begun to spend some political capital on the issue, with the President and his EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy sharply proclaiming public health threats from climate change like soaring asthma rates, the economic impacts of droughts and floods, and the moral irresponsibility of inaction. 

By Timmons Roberts, Guy Edwards and David Ciplet 

As world leaders gather at the United Nations in New York next Tuesday to discuss how to increase global action to confront global warming, tens of thousands will take to the streets demanding they act. Most leaders have been woefully behind the curve. Now they need to listen and pay attention to citizens, who in growing numbers are calling for action.

Alicia Villamizar and Guy Edwards

The Venezuelan government is being praised for organising an event last July with over 100 organisations dedicated to promoting civil society participation at the United Nations climate change negotiations. The event was a preparatory meeting for a conference this November called the ‘Social Pre-COP’ to be held in Venezuela.

However, for those Venezuelans working for a greener and more resilient nation to confront climate change, the Social Pre-COP risks missing an unprecedented opportunity to set Venezuela on a more sustainable path.