Topics

Agriculture is a human activity, primarily carried out to produce food and fibres through the use, control and management of animals and plants. Climate change has direct and indirect effects on agricultural output, such as changes in rainfall patterns, droughts, floods and geographical redistribution of pests and diseases (FAO).

Biodiversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. Biodiversity conservation is a strategic component of adaptation to climate change and the mitigation of its effects. Healthy ecosystems can provide protection against floods and droughts, and genetic diversity enables species to adapt to changing climate conditions.

Coastal areas are highly vulnerable to climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean. Rising sea levels, changes in wind and wave conditions, the frequency and intensity of storms and changes in ocean current patterns are some of the phenomena that can affect these areas. Flood risks in coastal areas have increased significantly in recent years due to climate change.

Climate change presents significant challenges for the energy sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, which will be affected by a series of direct and indirect impacts on its infrastructure, operating system and demand. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), household heating demand will decrease, and household cooling demand will increase. The effect of this shift on energy sources and technologies will differ depending on primary resources, technological processes and locations.

Climate change is altering ocean climate, chemistry, currents, sea levels and species distribution. Together, these changes impact ecosystems, their productivity and the ecosystem services that support many of the economic benefits provided by the sea. Changes in wave conditions affect fisheries by altering navigability for fishing activities. An increase in the number of fishing days lost to sea conditions will have a significant impact on small-scale fishing, which is highly vulnerable to climate change.

Climate change and forests are closely linked. Changes to the world’s climate are affecting forests, owing to higher-than-average annual temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and the increasingly frequent occurrence of extreme weather events. In terms of climate change adaptation, forest management must consider the climate risks that affect forests, such as droughts, forest fires and storms. The diversification of forest species is therefore encouraged to increase forest resilience, as well as the restoration of degraded forests to provide ecosystem services.

Climate change has an effect on the social and environmental factors that shape our health, including clean air, clean water, sufficient food and safe housing. Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause an additional 250,000 deaths each year due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress. Adaptation measures are therefore essential to reducing the vulnerability of the populations most affected by climate change.

The construction of sustainable and resilient public housing is a key strategy in addressing the challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as insufficient housing supplies in Latin America and the Caribbean. Incorporating sustainable building technologies and practices in housing design and construction can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize environmental impact (United Nations Environment Programme).

Among the main challenges currently facing urban management in Latin America and the Caribbean are the profound changes in the demographic composition of cities, the impact of urbanization on the health of city residents and their environment, the relationship between urban and rural spaces, and the increasingly important role of cities in GDP growth. In terms of climate change adaptation, urban management and planning practices should consider the climate risks that affect cities, such as floods, droughts and heat waves.

Transitioning to a low-carbon economy involves strengthening a country’s industrial base by modifying policy to ensure that it is robust, diversified, resource-efficient and competitive to meet the challenges of the global marketplace. Companies play a key role in employment and growth. Industry is a key sector for climate change adaptation and mitigation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Shortages, inefficiencies and a lack of sustainability in the provision of infrastructure services is an important cause of structural imbalances in the region. The transformation of these services is a prerequisite for progressive structural change to achieve fair and sustainable development. Infrastructure management must consider the climate risks associated with the impacts of extreme weather events on infrastructure and public safety, in order to reduce the vulnerability of communities and countries to the impacts of climate change (ECLAC).

Land-use change refers to changes in the use or management of land by humans, which can also lead to a change in land cover (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2012). Land-use change and natural resource management are critical elements in climate change adaptation in Latin America and the Caribbean (United Nations Environment Programme). The conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems, such as forests and wetlands, can increase the resilience of communities to extreme climate events and contribute to adaptation (FAO).

Risk management is the planned, concerted, participatory and comprehensive process of reducing the level of disaster risk in a community, region or country. It relies on the complementarity of local, regional and national capacities and resources and is closely linked to the pursuit of sustainable development. It is the series of administrative decisions and organizational and operational knowledge used to implement policies and strategies to reduce the impact of natural hazards and environmental and technological disasters.

The tourism sector is highly vulnerable to climate change while also a source of greenhouse gas emissions. Accelerating climate action in tourism is therefore important to ensure the resilience of the sector and to commit to an environmental big push with sustainability. Adaptation of the tourism sector in Latin America and the Caribbean can be achieved by improving tourism infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, diversifying tourism activities to minimize reliance on vulnerable destinations, and training key industry stakeholders to better manage climate risks.

Environmentally sustainable transportation helps reduce environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the use of non-renewable natural resources. It also maintains ecosystem integrity and improves the climate resilience of transportation services, modes and infrastructure. Mitigation in this sector involves a shift toward sustainable transportation based on using cleaner technologies and improving energy efficiency in public and private transportation.

Compared to other regions of the world, Latin America and the Caribbean has a significant provision of water resources. Traditionally, these resources and associated public services like drinking water and sanitation have played a key role in the socioeconomic development of the region. In many of the region’s countries, these sectors are essential drivers of social welfare, economic progress, industrialization and efforts to improve living standards (ECLAC).