Climate and Development Lab
Connect with the CDL on Twitter:
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
    • Alumni
  • CDL in the News
  • Publications
    • Scholarly Articles & Chapters
    • Policy Briefings
    • Books & Special Issues
    • Submissions to the UNFCCC
  • Projects
  • Multimedia
  • Contact

Elections and Development in Colombia: More of the Same?

6/27/2014

 
By Marcela Jaramillo and Camila Bustos

The elections took place amid high growth, historically-low unemployment and unconvinced voters. Colombia is a “hot economy” that continues to conquest international markets and attract foreign investors as the government upgrades our investment policies. Yet Colombians feel the country’s progress is slow and economic opportunities are not easily available for them. They do not yet see Colombia as a safe place. The results from 15 June should therefore not hide the political reality of Colombian voters being unsatisfied with the government’s policies. Rather, Santos’ elections should be seen as a victory over an alternative they considered worse.
Picture


Protests and strikes in agriculture, transport, mining and health took place in 2013 and 2014. The population’s complaints covered a wide range of grievances from free trade agreements, rising fuel prices and informal mining to financial headaches and unpopular health reforms. These protests highlighted the contrast between Colombia as a “hot” market and Colombia as an unsatisfied society that expects more from government than the delivery of high growth rates. Moreover, the widening gap between the rich and poor seems to have no solution in sight.

Colombia bears the weight of a violent past. This uncomfortable reality is still part of daily life. The peace dialogues between the government and one of the leftwing guerrilla groups, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has won some victories. According to some, a peace agreement might be near, , yet the talks are vulnerable and face recurrent setbacks whenever guerrillas attack communities. Drug dealers continue to spread terror around the country, affecting disproportionately the most vulnerable and the poor.
Growth and peace are the natural political slogans during Colombian elections along with some priority areas for public investment. Between 2010 and 2014, the Santos Administration turned mining into the central economic engine of an agenda that - his narrative proposed - would create “prosperity for all”. The largest share of the national budget went to mining and energy expansion (36%) compared to 34% to housing and 3% to environmental management and sustainable development. Thus, the question is where will Colombia end if it deepens a model of unsustainable growth? Will this model work politically given that the public dissatisfaction is already high?

The wrong way?


Illegal mining is widespread and on the rise. Water pollution has reached unprecedented levels and the reduction of river water levels is occurring in areas of immense natural capital, thus creating a negative cycle of effects. Public concerns about the negative impacts of mining – legal and illegal – are on the rise. Last year, people complained about irresponsible practices by international coal mining company Drummon in the northern city of Santa Marta. The company had already been accused of causing pollution across beaches and ocean water. Due to public outcry the government stopped Drummon’s operations until the required environmental standards were put in place. Similar examples are emerging around the country.

And yet the political offer still remains focused on promoting mining and energy as a source of quality of life for Colombia. The Santos proposal for 2014-2018 states that:
“the mining and energy sector is the major partner in the eradication of poverty. These resources will support economically millions of compatriots in need. We cannot leave on the ground our mining and energy wealth if we want to improve the quality of life for all Colombians. To continue to help build a country at peace and with greater opportunities for all, we must ensure that the sector is strong, dynamic and socially and environmentally responsible.”

Then there is the issue of climate change. Climate and weather-related impacts are not new in Colombia. In 2010 and 2011, La Niña - a hydro-climatic event - affected over 3.2 million people and flooded 3.5 million hectares causing asset losses equivalent to 2,2% of GDP in 2011. Due to these events and severe floods, awareness of climate impacts in Colombia is on the rise.

The question is how much longer will it take for the political class, traditional Parties in particular, to wake up to impacts of climate change. The country needs to have an explicit and public debate on the kind of economic development path we want for Colombia and the price of growth as usual. Will the economic engines of growth that the government (and other traditional economists) promote harm our quality of life and valuable natural capital? These and other questions must be at the ,forefront of public discussions. These are not second-order “environmentalist” issues but fundamental themes underpinning our country’s future.

An opportunity looms large as the push for action to combat climate change gains traction in Colombia. The government has designed a low carbon strategy with specific actions in this area and is executing the MAPS program (and innovative international initiative combining experts from South Africa and Latin America).

And yet the signals are mixed. Economic institutions rarely integrate climate realities in their approaches and proposals. And even the government drags its feet. Take for example the recent design of a comprehensive institutional arrangement for climate change (to be called SISCLIMA) which should have been approved by now. Or the new Law 1715 which promotes renewable energy, yet co-exists with the government’s welcoming approach towards fracking - and fossil fuels more generally.

Unless we take a decisive step to turn mitigation and adaptation to climate change a matter of State priority, we will weaken the basis for Colombia's prosperity. We cannot afford to wait until Colombia’s climate vulnerability worsens. The cost of inaction to tackle our vulnerability is high and so are the gains from ensuring a clean economy future. (ECLAC has done work on the cost of inaction in Latin America, for example).

What did Candidates offer?The political landscape is changing in Colombia. New parties and coalitions have emerged, leading to five candidates running during the first round of this presidential election on May 25th.

For the second round, President Santos from the Social Party of National Unity ran against Óscar Iván Zuluaga from the Democratic Centre - a close ally to former President Uribe (who did not support Santos even if they were allies in the past). Santos and Zuluaga are considered liberals in the Latin American sense: pro-market and socially conservative. They too take a similar industrial vision. Not surprisingly, the public viewed their political recipe as offering “more of the same”.

The fundamental difference between these two candidates was their approach to building peace. Santos has led an aggressive effort to deepen the peace talks with the guerrilla and turned the peace agenda into the centrepiece of his campaign. Zuluaga, on the other hand, did not support the ongoing peace talks. This might explain why despite the public dissatisfaction with Santos, a majority granted him a second term on 15 June.

Clara López from the Alternative Democratic Pole and Enrique Peñalosa from the Green Alliance represented non-traditional parties. They talk of alternative development. They both favour social investments and sustainability, yet fell behind the more traditional candidates probably because voters expressed doubts about their ability to run the country. The public is, arguably, unwilling to give a presidential mandate to non-traditional parties. Colombians, however, are willing to end (or at least reduce) their historical loyalty to the traditional politicos and parties. For example, the Alternative Democratic Pole came head to head with the Conservative Party with around 15% of votes each in the first round. 
The candidates’ proposals offered the traditional menu: health, education, job creation, peace and security. Very few spaces to debate specific proposals on environment and sustainability were created.

What environmental proposals were made? They mostly dealt with mining activities and water management. The two traditional parties, offered greenhouse gas mitigation plans and some environmental management issues (Santos), better planning and management of water resources (Zuluaga). The Alternative Democratic Pole proposed to create a superintendence to control state intervention for the conservation of natural resources as well as to position environmental issues as crosscutting topic in all policies. The Green Alliance proposed a broader menu including sustainable cities, alternative forms of transport to reduce pollution and a plan on environment and sustainable development. Ramirez, from the Conservative Party, proposed a law to protect moors ecosystems and to delimit areas of natural reserves, prohibiting their use for industrial purposes.

Although most of governmental proposals mentioned climate change, few concrete actions were defined. One of these included the Green Alliance party proposals, which consisted of a national climate change policy with three tracks: regions with unique environmental resources like the Amazon, rural areas enduring drought, and cities. Lopez and Ramirez aimed for defining a national climate change policy. Zuluaga included in his proposal elements of climate change mitigation, adaptation and risk management, yet he failed to bring any of these elements to his campaign discourse.

Making the link


During elections politicians make grand promises - on health, economic growth and peace - that leave climate change out. Three pillars underpin Santos´s government plan for 2014-2018: 1. Social (Solidarity, inclusion and opportunity), 2. Economic (Entrepreneurship and Employment) and 3. Peace (Fear, War and Winning Peace).

Clearly, these pillars matter. However, the failure to build linkages to climate change within these dimensions shows not only a lack of political imagination (which is a broader problem not exclusive to Colombia) but also the extent to which our politicos fail to grasp the scale to which climate change poses a challenge to our country. A safer and more peaceful nation will have to promote a climate resilient economy that protects its people and key sectors from climate risks. A clean energy economy would benefit the goal of promoting entrepreneurship and employment. Colombians deserve (clean) jobs for the XXI century. The traditional approach to development as presented in this election turns a blind eye to the state of our valuable natural capital and the long-term impacts accruing from our unsustainable use of natural resources.

Once again, we have missed the opportunity in Colombia to use the ballot boxes to shake politics and drive a deeper discussion about the kind of development that benefits our country. Colombia will likely stand divided on key political ideas - especially on how to achieve peace - and trapped into the never ending debate on corruption. While putting an end to civil conflict and winning the battle against corruption are essential, the country is also awakening to the realization that a sustainable Colombia is the way to go.

Santos might have been re-elected as our President for four more years, however we would argue that Colombians’ willingness to find cleaner “economic engines” and take action on climate change is on the rise. The question will be whether the second Santos’ administration will grasp the need to go beyond growth at any cost given that a growing number of Colombians no longer see “more of the same” as good enough.

The authors would like to thank Monica Araya for the feedback on earlier drafts.


Complementary information :

Santos Proposals 2014 - 2018: Official website, See Energy and Mining and Environment.
Santos Government´s Plan 2014-2018. Vision on Employment as Video May 2014.

                                                           
                                                                         **
                                                                        ***


This article was originally published in Nivela.org


Comments are closed.
    Tweets by @ClimateDevLab
    CDL in the News

    28 Dec 2018 - Edwards in the NYT on electric vehicles in Latin America

    24 Dec 2018 - The Public's Radio RI interviews Roberts on how the fossil fuel industry outspends environmental groups on campaign contributions & lobbying

    19 Dec 2018 - EcoRI News: New Report Claims RI Climate Council Falling Behind Targets

    17 Dec 2018 - 'We must move beyond business as usual,' says new report on Rhode Island's inadequate climate plan.

    12 Dec 2018 - 
    Isabel Cavelier, Guy Edwards and Lina Puerto “COP25 en 2019: reto y oportunidad para elevar la ambición climática en América Latina” El Espectador

    4 Dec 2018 - Whitehouse, Ciciline meet with climate lab

    28 Nov 2018 - Edwards quoted in New York Times story on Brazil backing out of hosting UN summit on climate change

    11 Oct 2018 - Brookings Institute Climate reality requires starting at home: Weaning from fossil fuels

    23 Sep 2018 - Edwards quoted in Financial Times on Argentina energy future

    13 Jul 2018 - Europe and Latin America can blaze a trail on implementing the Paris Agreement
    ​
    1 Jun 2018 - Brookings Institute One year since Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement

    21 May 2018 - Edwards article in World Politics Review: Is the G-20 Heading for a Showdown With Trump on Climate Change?

    11 May 2018 - Edwards Op-Ed in Washington Post 

    22 Jan 2018 - Roberts Op-Ed The climate solution no-one in Davos will be talking about

    ​15 Dec 2017 - Edwards' article on how Regional and domestic politics could sabotage Brazil's bid to host UN climate change talks in 2019 ​
    ​
    8 Nov 2017 - Roberts quoted in Reuters story on financing loss and damage

    9 Oct 2017 - EcoRI article describes Roberts' testimony against the natural gas power plant proposed for construction in Burrillville, Rhode Island

    17 Sep 2017 - BBC Radio 5 featured a live interview with Roberts about Trump's conditions for staying in Paris

    4 Sep 2017 - Roberts comments on the use of his work in a report by Rhode Island Department of Health on the proposed power plant in Burrillville, Rhode Island 

    17 Jul 2017 - Roberts mentioned in NPR's story on the US having a say in UN climate spending
    ​
    15 Jul 2017 - Roberts calls for solid climate policies in RI

    5 Jul 2017 - Roberts demands swifter action on CO2 release

    5 Jul 2017 - Roberts demands RI Governor Raimondo to take climate action

    30 Jun 2017 - Roberts gives advice on owning and using electric cars

    23 Jun 2017 - Roberts comments on how voters are persuaded by the terms 'climate change' and 'global warming'

    20 Jun 2017 - Roberts' involvement in local climate group is helping to fight fossil fuel development

    3 Jun 2017 - WPRO Radio's Steve Klamkin interviews Roberts on the Paris Agreement

    2 Jun 2017 - Roberts comments on US involvement in the Green Climate Fund

    2 Jun 2017 - BBC Radio 5's Faye Rusco interviews Roberts on Trump's withdrawal from Paris

    2 Jun 2017 - Roberts discusses the role of mayors and private sector companies post US pull-out of Paris

    1 Jun 2017 - Roberts gives more details about the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

    1 Jun 2017 - Roberts organizes emergency protest in RI

    1 Jun 2017 - Roberts comments on the implications of US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

    1 Jun 20117 - Roberts share his views on the US exit from the Paris Accord

    31 May 2017 - Roberts cited on the far-reaching implications of US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

    31 May 2017 - RI left vulnerable if US pulls out of Paris Accord, says Roberts

    24 May 2017 - Roberts chimes in on Trump's proposed EPA budget

    30 Apr 2017 - Roberts helps to 'fact check' Trump's first 100 days in office

    25 Apr 2017 - Roberts lobbies for people's march in RI to mark Trump's first 100 days in office

    23 Apr 2017 - Roberts cautions against threats to science at march for science in Rhode Island

    7 Apr 2017 - White House Chronicle's Llewelyn King interviews Roberts on Trump’s executive order and climate policy directions

    10 Mar 2017 - Roberts quoted in Providence Business News about new proposed fossil fuel infrastructure in Rhode Island

    6 Feb 2017 - Devex article on climate finance under the new administration quotes Roberts

    18 Jan 2017 - Roberts featured in NPR Marketplace segment on Obama's $500m donation to the Green Climate Fund

    29 Dec 2016 - Roberts quoted in Common Dreams article about the state of environmental justice in 2016

    19 Nov 2016 - EcoRI profiles Roberts and the new Civic Alliance for a Cooler Rhode Island

    14 Nov 2016 - Roberts featured in Rhode Island Public Radio segment on Trump and the Paris Agreement 

    12 Nov 2016 - Roberts quoted in Climate Home article on Republican plans to defund climate change programs

    10 Nov 2016 - Roberts quote appears in EcoRI article about Trump and the environment 

    9 Nov 2016 - Roberts quoted in InsideClimate News article on COP22 reaction to Trump's election

    9 Nov 2016 - Science Daily discusses new CDL article on paying for loss and damage

    9 Nov 2016 - Roberts quoted in Climate Home article on COP22 reaction to Trump's election

    8 Nov 2016 - Roberts' paper on paying for loss and damage discussed and quoted in Phys.Org

    7 Nov 2016 - Roberts' paper on paying for loss and damage discussed and quoted in Futurity article

    21 Sep 2016 - Roberts quoted in a Breitbart News article about Clinton's support following shift in climate change language

    20 Sep 2016 - Roberts quoted in a Climate Home article on Clinton's language around climate change after Sanders' endorsement

    5 May 2016 – Climate Home quotes Edwards on the announcement that Patricia Espinosa will lead the UNFCCC from this July 

    5 May 2016 - Dialogo Chino quotes Edwards following announcement that Patricia Espinosa will replace Christiana Figueres as head of the UNFCCC

    24 Apr 2016 - Deutsche Welle quotes Edwards on how ratifying Paris Agreement can boost prosperity in Latin America

    23 Mar 2016 – Edwards provides extended quote to Dialogo Chino on Obama’s trip to Cuba and Argentina
     
    25 Dec 2015 -  ConexiónCOP conversó con Guy Edwards sobre el nuevo acuerdo climático y America Latina

    14 Dec 2015 - Rhode Island Public Radio quotes Roberts on how Paris Climate Pact should steer New England toward clean energy

    11 Dec 2015 - Associated Press quotes Romain Weikmans on “Wild West” account on climate finance

    10 Dec 2015 -  Climate Home talks to Roberts about the lack of an independent system on climate finance

    Read more...

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    April 2012
    December 2011
    February 2009
    December 2008

    Authors

    The pieces featured in the blog are authored by CDL members and a diverse group of partners from around the world. The opinions expressed in these articles are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not reflect those of Brown University. 

    Categories

    All
    Civil Society
    Climate Finance
    Conference
    COP17
    COP19
    COP20
    COP21
    Energy
    Equity
    Latin America
    LDCs
    Legislation
    Loss And Damage
    Mitigation
    Policy Brief
    Publications
    Rhode Island
    Small Island Developing States
    UNFCCC
    United States

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly