Tackling climate change in Latin America

The author contends that climate action and economic prosperity in Latin America are not mutually exclusive and that the region can lead by example through coordinated legislation. He highlights existing efforts in Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile, and urges new governments to support the Lima conference's goal of drafting a global treaty. The text emphasizes that the Independent Association of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC) can exert diplomatic influence if its members back their international rhetoric with domestic action, such as shifting away from fossil fuels and adopting carbon taxes.

• Several Latin American countries have already implemented specific climate targets: Mexico passed a law in 2012 to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 30% by 2020; Uruguay aims for 90% renewable electricity by 2015; and Chile targets 20% renewable power by 2025.
• The Independent Association of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC), consisting of Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, and Peru, can influence UN climate talks by advocating for greenhouse-gas emission cuts based on differentiated responsibilities, provided these countries implement domestic climate action.
• Climate legislation can attract foreign investment to boost renewable energy, sustainable urban transport, and clean technology jobs, helping the region reduce its dependence on finite natural resources.
• The author asserts that a coordinated legislative campaign for low-carbon societies is an essential prerequisite for sustainable development in Latin America, a position supported by a report from the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate.

APA

Lagos, R. (2014). Tackling climate change in Latin America. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/tackling-climate-change-in-latin-america/

Chicago

Lagos, Ricardo. Tackling climate change in Latin America. World Economic Forum, 2014. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/tackling-climate-change-in-latin-america/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Lagos |first1=Ricardo |title=Tackling climate change in Latin America |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=4 November 2014 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/tackling-climate-change-in-latin-america/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{lagos2014tackling, author = {Lagos, Ricardo}, title = {{Tackling climate change in Latin America}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2014}, month = nov, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/tackling-climate-change-in-latin-america/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }