On November 30, world leaders will travel to Paris for the UN COP21 talks, a critical opportunity to finalize a global agreement on emissions cuts to avert dangerous climate change. Many countries in Latin America rank among the most vulnerable to rising global temperatures. Yet Latin American countries’ commitments to reduce emissions vary widely. Brazil has made impressive reductions in deforestation, while Mexico and other countries are advancing policies to promote renewable energy. But in the face of competing priorities, these policies are not always implemented, and the region’s average per capita emissions continue to grow rapidly.

Panelists will discuss the prospects for creating comprehensive measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, curb deforestation, and expand clean energy in Latin America. The discussion will also focus on opportunities to access climate finance and challenges for Latin American and Caribbean countries to adapt to climate change.

Speakers

Amal-Lee Amin

Climate Change & Sustainability Division Chief, Inter-American Development Bank
@AmaleeAmin

Timmons Roberts

Ittleson Professor of Environmental Studies & Professor of Sociology, Brown University
Non-resident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
@TimmonsRoberts

Guy Edwards

Research Fellow, Institute for Environment & Society &
Co-director, Climate & Development Lab, Brown University
@GuyEdwards

Moderators

Lisa Viscidi

Energy, Climate Change & Extractive Industries Program Director, Inter-American Dialogue
@lviscidi

Harold Trinkunas

Senior Fellow & Director, Latin America Initiative, Brookings Institution
@htrinkunas

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