Anticipating the future: How can policymakers take advantage of the opportunities offered by emerging trends in green and inclusive productive development?

Green and inclusive productive development is essential to build a new development model. The development of productive capacities in decarbonization, clean, efficient and sustainable technologies and practices not only allows for a more balanced relationship with the environment, but also promotes a more productive, inclusive and sustainable future. Preparing for this future is essential as it allows for a structured approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead, particularly in relation to the climate emergency and the urgent need to build a new development model.

To promote structural transformations that lead to a more productive, inclusive and sustainable future, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) proposes a Grand Push for Sustainability. This strategy seeks to mobilize and coordinate transformative investments for a new style of development, the fundamental element being that countries expand their green and inclusive productive development policies.

In this context, it becomes important to use tools to formulate strategies that anticipate and manage future risks and opportunities, being particularly useful in complex and dynamic scenarios, such as those posed by the climate emergency. The development of technical, operational, policy and forecasting (TOPP) capabilities is vital to provide state institutions with the necessary competencies to manage structural and disruptive transformations, such as the transition towards a more productive, inclusive and sustainable development model, with green and inclusive productive development at its core.

The role of the Legislative Branches is crucial for countries to better manage future transformations. Policymakers can play a key role in creating legislation that addresses plausible future trends and challenges, increasing institutional capacity to manage these transformations. To do this, policymakers must be equipped to identify and address new trends, understanding both opportunities and risks in current and future transformation contexts. Furthermore, in the context of the challenges posed by climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), applying a prospective approach allows the creation and evaluation of regional cooperation scenarios, promoting more resilient and integrated value chains. The effective result of this approach must also have the knowledge and involvement of organized civil society. Therefore, parliaments in LAC can develop harmonized legislation that addresses common challenges and opportunities, such as the development of sustainable value chains.

The OPCC side event at the GLOBE Legislators Pavilion, co-organized by GLOBE, will address how legislators can integrate a forward-looking approach into their mandates and address issues related to green and inclusive productive development from the perspective of LAC countries. Parliamentarians, and civil society experts will share their experiences in a comprehensive discussion on the opportunities and challenges associated with new trends in green and inclusive productive development. This debate will cover critical elements, including the socioeconomic inequality prevalent in the region and how a just transition can effectively contribute to poverty reduction and promote social inclusion.

On this occasion, the OPCC Joint Declaration for COP29, which calls for green and inclusive productive development, will also be presented and will be open for support throughout the Conference. The event will also be an opportunity to show new data from the OPCC Legislative Monitor and explain how this resource can be fundamental to evaluate strategies that advance climate ambition in LAC.

In this way, the event has two objectives: (i) highlight and debate the routes and legislative proposals for inclusive and equitable green productive development, as mentioned in the OPCC Joint Declaration for COP29; (ii) promote a broad and inclusive dialogue on anticipatory and prospective legislative capacities in different LAC countries to take advantage of the opportunities offered by green productive development, guaranteeing a just transition.

For more details, access the OPCC Joint Statement to C0P29 and the Concept Note of the event, access: https://lin/opktr.eecepalcc.