The green transition has long proved a central theme in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) – European Union strategic partnership. LAC and Europe currently work towards a renewed partnership strategy, impacted by the context of the double crisis faced worldwide.
The COVID-19 pandemic with recovery efforts focused on decarbonisation and green transitions are now coupled with the Ukrainian conflict's far-reaching systemic impacts, currently shaping processes related to economic development and the green transition. Countries in LAC will have to face complex choices related to social justice and decarbonisation, envisaging options for a social and economic transformation.
Against this backdrop, building a strong EU-LAC partnership can help facilitate the region’s policy choices, while taking into consideration the international spill-overs of environmental policies abroad and their effect in undermining LAC countries' development objectives. The Green Deal, for instance, demonstrates how to address environmental challenges while promoting the implementation of ambitious policies aiming at a green transition, capable of boosting citizens’ well-being.
The session discussed the opportunities the green transition can bring to the EU-LAC partnership, and how the two regions can build a strong “green alliance” to boost the green transition in LAC while also facing its potential adverse impacts. Speakers also debated how this “green alliance” could ensure aligning the ecological, social and economic transformations in LAC countries.
Synopsis
The Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC) and Europe have a common ambition to tackle the climate crisis through a sustainable energy transition. The panel discussed how the two regions are building equal partnerships through the Global Gateway approach which emphasises cooperation and investment in concrete projects. Panelists noted that local contexts, including low growth rates and high inflation, must be taken into account and that the poorest in society must be included in the transition to green energy.
