The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report What’s in it for Latin America?

This executive summary adapts the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report for Latin American decision-makers. It details observed warming (0.7–1°C since the 1970s) and shifting rainfall patterns that threaten water availability and food production. The report emphasizes that further warming is inevitable and highlights the need for integrated adaptation and mitigation strategies, such as sustainable urban planning and payment for ecosystem services. It concludes that international cooperation and financial support from developed countries are critical for the region to build resilience and pursue low-carbon development.

• Since the 1970s, Latin America has experienced a temperature increase of 0.7–1°C, with the exception of the coast of Chile, where a cooling of approximately -1°C was recorded. Temperature extremes have increased in Central America and most of subtropical and tropical South America.
• Rainfall trends in Latin America vary by region: annual rainfall is increasing in Southeastern South America, while decreasing trends are seen in Central America and Central-Southern Chile. In Southeastern South America, more frequent extreme rainfall has caused flash floods and landslides.
• Climate change is causing significant impacts on water and ice systems in Latin America. Andean glaciers are retreating, which affects the seasonal distribution of stream flows. In the La Plata River basin, changes in stream flow and water availability have been observed.
• The conversion of natural ecosystems is the primary cause of ecosystem and biodiversity loss in Latin America and was the second largest driver of human-induced climate change, representing 17–20% of total greenhouse gas emissions during the 1990s.
• Climate change is negatively impacting human health in Latin America by increasing disabilities, mortality, and morbidity, as well as facilitating the emergence of diseases in new areas.
• Future warming is inevitable in the coming decades regardless of current emission levels due to climate system inertia and past emissions. If greenhouse gas emissions continue at current rates, the average global temperature could increase by 2.6–4.8°C by 2100.
• Low-carbon development offers economic opportunities for Latin America. Examples include low-carbon mass transit to reduce congestion and improve air quality, and renewable energy investments (such as hydropower) to expand energy supply while keeping emissions low.
• Specific low-carbon strategies in Latin America include intelligent urban planning (as seen in Curitiba, Brazil, and adopted in Guatemala and Mexico), the use of REDD+ incentives to reduce deforestation, and the intensification of agricultural production.
• Integrating adaptation, mitigation, and development can create synergies. For instance, payment for ecosystem services (PES) can help local communities adapt to climate change while protecting natural areas and improving human wellbeing.
• International cooperation is essential to limit greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience in regions like Latin America. Developed countries have committed to mobilizing US$100 billion annually by 2020 for mitigation and adaptation in developing countries.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2014). The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report What’s in it for Latin America? http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IPCC-AR5-Whats-in-it-for-Latin-America.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report What’s in it for Latin America? 2014. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IPCC-AR5-Whats-in-it-for-Latin-America.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report What’s in it for Latin America? |date=2014 |url=http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IPCC-AR5-Whats-in-it-for-Latin-America.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2014ipccs, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report What’s in it for Latin America?}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2014}, url = {http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IPCC-AR5-Whats-in-it-for-Latin-America.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }