Climate Change in Latin America - European Commission

Foreword
Sustainable Development and Climate Change: What is the Situation in Latin America
Climate Change was one of the most important issues on the agenda of the Lima EU-LAC Summit of May 2008
during which the firm commitment was made to jointly tackle this challenge.
The aim of the EUrocLima Programme, identified in the Lima Declaration, is to promote knowledge sharing,
fostering structured and regular dialogue at all levels and ensuring synergies and coordination of current and
future actions in this field.
Within this framework, the European Commission decided to fund a study which would ascertain the problems
related to climate change within Latin America. This study aims to identify the extent of climate change effects,
the question of vulnerability and the ecological footprint of the region, taking into consideration the institutional
framework of this multidisciplinary challenge both on regional and national levels.
In order to obtain reliable information as well as to ensure the necessary involvement and coordination between
all actors, a questionnaire was elaborated by the European Commission addressing both the Latin American
countries and EU Member States.
The analysis of the results has revealed the diversity of responses from Latin American countries with regard to
the problems identified, the perception of their own vulnerability, the definition of priority issues and necessary
instruments as well as the potential solutions.
This study has also highlighted the common problems faced by the region (such as the sometimes limited
knowledge on issues related to climate change and the lack of human and financial resources) as well as the need
to raise awareness of this issue especially at the political level.
The study has essentially provided an overview of the situation in Latin America and will allow for advancement of
the sustainable development cause and enrich debates on climate change in the region.
The paths thus far identified will be implemented within the framework of the EUrocLIMA programme which aims
to reinforce political dialogue, to improve systems and channels for the exchange of information and finally to
provide and/or strengthen technical and institutional capacity in the Latin American region.
B.T. Papadopoulos
Head of Unit EuropeAid/B/2
Centralised Operations for Latin America
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