When reflecting on my first day at COP22 in Marrakech, the opening plenary of the APA has been the most impactful event. There is certainly much commotion and a heated environment at the COP venue. During the APA opening plenary, as the APA Co- Chairs gave the floor to the working groups, the Latin American region (LatAm), in their diverse negotiating blocs, were ready to take their stands and emphasis their negotiation positions.
In terms of climate change, LatAm countries have a particular stand and profile. With economies relatively stable and only one country in the list of least developed countries (Haiti), international cooperation to achieve its developing goals is necessary; however, cooperation seems to have a different profile that suggests the need for financial support that comes hand in hand with mechanisms of implementation such as the transfer of technology and capacity building.
Looking back to COP21, the LatAm regions initiative was key in order to approve the Paris agreement due to the urgency to address the vulnerability of the region and its member countries to climate change. At COP22, there is no doubt that the LatAm countries maintain that firm stand in order to continue with the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Bloc statements in the APA meeting suggest high expectations in terms of climate financing for developing countries. Financing decisions will help transform and accelerate change in the region as they are a key element in order to achieve each Parties INDCs. In addition, many LatAm countries have experienced profound changes in their political and economic situation. Take for example Brazil and its economic and fiscal crisis in the past years. This instability certainly jeopardizes the economic resources allocate to climate change. Therefore, a central element in the discussions at COP22 is the $100bn dollars a year in climate financing for developing countries.
The region needs to transform its highly economic dependency on GHG intensive practices such as natural resource extraction, cattle ranching, high range/yield agriculture, transportation and “dirty” energy generation. For example, LatAm produces 23% of world bovine meat, an expanding economic sector, yet one of the major contributors of GHG emissions for the region.
In order to achieve the 1.5C reduction target, there needs to be a drastic change in GHG emission reduction, requiring the transformation of many of the regions GHG intense human activities. As expressed by the AILAC, ALBA and LAC, AOSIS negotiation blocs n the APA opening plenary, the major axis of the negotiations in Marrakech will be climate finance and the allocation of these resources in order to catalyze such a drastic transformation in the regions intense GHG practices.
REFERENCES:
http://www.ipsnoticias.net/2015/08/sobra-margen-a-america-latina-para-ampliar-infraestructura-verde/
There are some fascinating cut-off dates in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them middle to heart. There may be some validity however I’ll take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more!