The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has presented a key report within the framework of the Global Economy Working Group for the G20. This document, titled “Distributional implications of climate change and policy recommendations for an inclusive, just and sustainable transition”, offers crucial recommendations to address the challenges of climate change in the region.
The report highlights that inequality, both between and within countries, constitutes a significant obstacle to the transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies. ECLAC emphasizes the need to implement a comprehensive set of policies that address the multiple dimensions of inequality and promote sustainable development.
“The region has the opportunity to transform its economic structure towards a more inclusive and sustainable model, which not only mitigates the effects of climate change, but also closes existing inequality gaps,” the document states. ECLAC highlights the importance of establishing social safety networks and improving the coverage and efficiency of basic services, such as health, education and transportation, to reduce the vulnerability of the population.
The report also highlights that the transition towards sustainable economies must be accompanied by a structural change that encourages the development of sectors with greater added value and employment, without compromising the capacity of ecosystems to generate quality goods and services. “It is imperative that the countries of the region coordinate efforts in technological, industrial, fiscal and social policies to achieve development that is both competitive and equitable,” adds ECLAC.
Furthermore, the document warns that climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups, who are more vulnerable as they have fewer resources to adapt to its impacts. Therefore, managing climate risks while ensuring a just transition is crucial to addressing the development gap and achieving sustainable growth.
The official presentation of this report during the G20 event has generated a constructive dialogue on how to confront the challenges of climate change in the region. ECLAC reaffirms its commitment to working together with governments, the private sector and civil society to guarantee that the transition towards a sustainable future is competitive, socially inclusive and restoring ecosystem services for the benefit of all sectors of society.
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