The climate emergency in Latin America and the Caribbean: The path ahead – resignation or action?

Abstract

This book presents the results of more than a decade of work carried out by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on the economics of climate change. It analyses the conclusive global data and the impact of climate change in the region, examining sectors such as agriculture, health, transport and energy. In particular, it addresses the effects of climate change on the two most vulnerable subregions, Central America and the Caribbean, and gives an account of the agreements reached in the region to tackle the problem of global warming.

The book discusses the advances made in relation to climate issues, climate finance flows and public policy innovations aimed at moving towards lower-carbon development better suited to a changing climate. Responding to the challenge of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean represents a financial, economic, social, cultural, distributive and innovation effort, but it also provides an opportunity for the region to move towards more sustainable and inclusive development.