Latin America's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions has been historically small, with a relatively low emissions intensity compared to other regions. All countries in the region have ratified the Paris Agreement and submitted their first round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Most countries have also updated their NDCs, taking on more ambitious commitments.
This policy paper examines the various climate mitigation and adaptation commitments and efforts of Latin America in prioritized areas (agriculture and livestock, mining, electromobility, innovation in new technologies and processes, and circular economy). It discusses the linkages between climate measures and trade and how international cooperation on trade and trade-related policies could support these efforts. The author then identifies a set of policy priorities and recommendations.
The publication is part of a series of policy papers commissioned by TESS with partners on Developing country perspectives on trade, climate change, and sustainable development, which includes papers on Africa, the Caribbean, South America, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Each paper has been prepared by experts and institutions from the region and seeks to highlight regional and developing country perspectives and priorities on the role of international trade cooperation in supporting climate mitigation and adaptation and climate-resilient sustainable development.
While many discussions are now taking place on trade and climate change at the WTO and in a range of other international settings, most are dominated by concerns, policies, and proposals from more advanced economies. In an effort to spur a more inclusive dialogue, the series supports the bottom-up identification and formulation of developing country perspectives and priorities on trade and climate change adaptation and mitigation including how to advance them at the regional and multilateral levels.
Countries in Latin America have been participating actively in the international regime for climate change since its inception and, simultaneously, strengthening their participation in global trade through bilateral and regional trade agreements.
Lorena Palomo Parada
Recommended citation: Palomo Parada, L. (2023). Trade and climate change mitigation and adaptation in Latin America: A framework for international cooperation. Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS).
Developing Country Perspectives at the WTO's 2022 Public Forum
You can view this video of a working session on regional perspectives on trade and climate change co-hosted by TESS and regional partners at the WTO's 2022 Public Forum. The video includes a discussion of Latin America priorities with the author Lorena Palomo Parada.
Developing Country Perspectives
This publication is part of a series of policy papers commissioned by TESS with partners on Developing country perspectives on trade, climate change, and sustainable development.
