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

Why a strong climate deal matters for Latin America

12/1/2015

 
By Guy Edwards, Kari Malkki and Victoria Hoffmeister* 
Picture
Chilean President, Michelle Bachelet, inaugurates the Amanecer Solar Cap power plant in Copiapó in 2014 (Photo credit: El Dínamo).
This week an unprecedented cohort of Latin American leaders will travel to Paris for the United Nations climate change talks. Alongside an estimated 120 heads of state, presidents from Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru will lend their support to the creation of a new global agreement on climate change.
 
Some Latin American presidents are very aware that a strong global deal is critical for their country’s future as uncontrolled global emissions could lead to dangerously high temperatures this century, which could suffocate their development prospects. They are also increasingly framing a new agreement as means to generate opportunities for low carbon development and reducing the risks from climate impacts.
How are Latin American countries contributing to a new agreement?
 
While the region does not negotiate as a single bloc at the UN climate change talks, Latin American countries does sometimes push a common agenda. They are committed to reaching a legally binding agreement that sets the world on a path toward limiting global average temperatures increases to 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius. Given the region’s vulnerability to climate impacts such as storms, droughts and floods, they are also pushing for greater focus on adaptation.  
 
They are calling for developed countries to do more to reduce their own emissions and provide developing countries with the technological know-how and financial support to increase climate resilience. Latin American countries are vocally calling for wealthy countries to demonstrate how they will provide developing nations with $100 billion per year starting from 2020.  
 
As of now, nearly all Latin American countries have submitted their national climate pledges or Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). It is hoped that the INDCs can be used as a strategic tool to set Latin American countries on a cleaner path toward low-emission sustainable development, while building resilience to climate impacts. Although countries have generally been proactive in their preparation of the INDCs, observers suggest most of the region’s contributions are not sufficiently ambitious and could be undermined by policies in other sectors such as energy or mining.
 
A number of Latin American countries back a long-term mitigation goal including Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Costa Rica. The aim of a long-term goal is to reduce emissions enough to keep us below 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius. Some of these countries differ on the exact details such as whether the goal should be for 2050 or 2100, while others including Bolivia, Argentina and Venezuela currently prefer a more flexible goal without specific dates or targets.
 
Why a new agreement matters for the region
 
An ambitious, fair and equitable agreement can send a strong message to investors and policymakers that the transition to a low-emission, resilient future is necessary, feasible and beneficial. Latin America is well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity especially on renewable energy which can help attract investment, create jobs and decrease pollution and pressure on vulnerable ecosystems.
 
The region is now considered as one of the great frontiers for clean energy investment. The 2015 Global Climatescope Report which ranks 55 emerging markets for their ability to attract capital for clean energy projects includes four Latin American countries Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay in the top 10 overall rankings. It describes how these countries are attracting record amounts of clean energy investment and building more wind, solar, and other renewable power generation than ever before.
 
Some have argued that climate action in developing countries is too costly yet the evidence suggests that it can be an engine for better growth. Latin American countries renewable energy policies and targets must be scaled up to capitalize on its staggering renewable energy potential and the growing levels of international investment. Crucially, scheduled fossil fuel investments must be revised in light of these advances.  
 
Latin America is very vulnerable to climate impacts which are already being felt. For example, this year’s drought in Brazil - the worst on record - led to power blackouts and water rationing for millions of households. The UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) estimates that the economic costs of climate change could be between 1.5 percent and 5 percent of the region’s GDP. The Inter-American Development Bank says damages in Latin America resulting from a 2 degree global temperature increase over pre-industrial temperatures will likely approach $100 billion a year by 2050.
 
Latin America will not be able to build a prosperous and secure future for its citizens without a global climate agreement that aims to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 or 2 degrees.  As a result, adaptation measures in the region will need to be given a considerable boost.
 
Bringing onboard non-state actors                                                                          
 
The Paris negotiations offer Latin American governments an invaluable opportunity to communicate with non-state actors about why a new climate agreement and the INDCs matter. They can only succeed if citizens and the private sector perceive them to be beneficial and credible. Governments must showcase the existing and potential benefits of climate actions such as investments in renewable energy or reduced air pollution.
 
During this difficult economic downturn, Latin America requires pioneering private sector actors to back a strong climate agenda which can help spur growth, investment and job creation. Many Latin American citizens are very concerned about climate impacts and can help evaluate progress on countries’ INDCs and provide a long-term vision of sustainable development which goes beyond short election cycles.
 
A new global agreement is in Latin America’s best interests and can help support a shift toward low emission sustainable development while increasing resilience. Latin American presidents in Paris must focus on the opportunities and proactively support an ambitious, just and equitable global deal. Their region’s future prosperity may well depend on it.
 
*The authors are members of Brown University’s Climate and Development Lab. The opinions expressed in this piece are the sole responsibility of the authors. 

This article was originally published here. 

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

    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    June 2021
    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