Development Account Projects
Understanding potential economic impacts of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)
Background:
While all regions will eventually feel the effects of climate change, it will disproportionably affect developing countries, in particular poor communities that are already living at, or close to the margins of survival. While the impacts of climate change on development are already being addressed in some countries in Africa and the Pacific, the Latin America and Caribbean region is still in the initial stages of assessing economic impacts of climate change, with the contribution of ECLAC, while Brazil is developing its own approach with the support of cooperating agencies such as the IDB and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Presently ECLAC is participating in these efforts. In Latin America, vulnerability conditions have encouraged countries to join efforts to identify adaptation and mitigation measures to face climate change.
This project is consistent with the programme of ECLAC’s Division of Sustainable Development and Human Settlements (SDHSD), in Santiago, and the Sustainable Development Unit, in Port of Spain, which seeks to address climate change through the promotion of alternative sources of energy, the identification of mitigation initiatives and adaptation needs, and the development of mechanisms to reduce climate change related disaster risk. It complements ECLAC’s commitment in the conduct of disaster assessments that would inform reconstruction planning while mainstreaming it into national development planning. Specifically, the SDHSD has been actively involved in the support of policy development to further the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC.
Objective:
The project will improve and harmonize the ability of Latin American and Caribbean countries to adapt and cope with the economic impacts of climate change on development.
Expected Accomplishments:
- Increased awareness in Latin American and Caribbean Governments, business communities and civil society of the economic impacts of climate change, as well as adaptation and mitigation options.
- Strengthened national capacities to identify responses to the potential economic impacts of climate change
Implementation Status:
Project implementation commenced in 2009.
