Carbon emissions are at a record high, reflecting historical growth patterns stemming from the use of fossil fuels and the lack of political will to transition to renewable energy. Governments face complex trade-offs between promoting inclusive economic growth and mitigating climate change. Green transformation, supported by cutting-edge technologies, offers a viable route for developing countries to claim their own development narrative and move from crisis to sustainable development.
The objective of this joint event between ECLAC and UNCTAD is to encourage reflection on the current situation of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on the road to green transition and how new technologies and innovation can help advance in these policy options.
The event will begin with a summary of the main conclusions of two papers that will provide the context for the subsequent discussion:
- Economic Outlook for Latin America 2022: Towards a green and just transition; and the
- Technology and Innovation Report 2023: Opening green windows: Technological opportunities for a low carbon world.
Next, there will be a space for comments on questions and contributions from the audience.
The event will be held in Spanish (without translation) on the Zoom online platform.
Guiding questions for discussion:
• How could the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean take advantage of the green technological revolution to build a greener, smarter, more resilient, inclusive and sustainable society and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals?
• What are the main challenges that prevent developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean from adopting and developing green technology and innovation?
• What should governments, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders do to harness the full potential of these technologies? How can the countries of the region take advantage of the full potential of frontier technologies and minimize risks?
• How can the international community help developing countries to take advantage of green opportunities?