The session titled “Climate Change and Adaptation in Latin America” was held as part of the Latin American Week on October 23rd, 2024, at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Hosted by the Latin American Hub, this event brought together academics, policymakers, and students to engage in meaningful discussions about the region’s risks and responses to climate change. CLOC Conéctate A+ facilitated the session, focusing on the interface between scientific research, community engagement, and policymaking in addressing the pressing environmental challenges faced by Latin America.
The session, moderated by Laura Niggli, an expert on glacier-related hazards from the Department of Geography at University of Zurich, began with four expert presentations, each addressing a critical aspect of climate change and adaptation. Dr. Randy Muñoz Asmat of the University of Zurich provided an overview of the physical impacts and risks of climate change in Latin America, discussing its effects on biodiversity, water resources, and livelihoods. This was followed by Dr. Yasna Palmeiro Silva from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and Swiss TPH, who presented findings from the Lancet Countdown Latin America, highlighting the health risks associated with climate change in the region. Dr. Carolina Adler of the University of Bern and the Mountain Research Initiative explored the role of collaboration between indigenous communities, researchers, and policymakers in fostering community-driven climate adaptation strategies. Finally, Dr. Agustín Redonda from the Council on Economic Policies (CEP) discussed the economic implications of climate change and the potential for fiscal and tax policies to promote sustainability and resilience.
The second part of the session transitioned into a dynamic and engaging panel discussion, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue that explored the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in climate adaptation in Latin America. Moderated with a focus on bridging scientific research, policymaking, and community needs, the discussion delved into cross-cutting themes that emphasized the interconnectedness of the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of climate change.
The debate began with an examination of how policymakers in Latin America can access and effectively utilize information from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. Panelists emphasized the importance of tailoring these global assessments to the regional context, suggesting the need for regionalized summaries and translations into accessible formats. They highlighted successful initiatives where intermediary organizations and knowledge brokers have played a critical role in distilling IPCC findings into actionable insights for policymakers. However, the conversation also acknowledged a major challenge: the limited availability of region-specific data, particularly on health and economic impacts, which hinders the ability to assess vulnerabilities and design targeted adaptation policies.
The discussion on the role of researchers in engaging policymakers highlighted the critical issue of bridging the science-policy gap. Researchers often face challenges in navigating the political and institutional frameworks of the region where, for example, limited access to comprehensive health data limits efforts to convey the human cost of climate change. Panelists advocated for a collaborative and co-production approach, where researchers and policymakers participate from the inception of studies to ensure that the outcomes address practical decision-making needs. They emphasized the need for data-sharing platforms and partnerships to improve the availability of reliable, localized information, particularly in the health and fiscal policy domains.
Another topic discussed during the panel focused on the need to translate the physical and environmental impacts of climate change into economic terms to resonate with decision-makers. Panelists highlighted the critical gap in data to assess the fiscal implications of climate change, such as the cost-effectiveness of adaptation measures or the long-term economic consequences of inaction. They stressed that without robust economic data, policymakers face significant obstacles in prioritizing adaptation efforts within national budgets. The conversation included examples of how economic modeling, combined with localized impact assessments, could provide the necessary evidence to integrate climate risks into fiscal planning and policy frameworks.
The panel also explored the potential of international partnerships to accelerate the development of effective climate adaptation solutions. Panelists underscored the importance of collaborations between researchers in Latin America and Switzerland, highlighting the complementary strengths of both regions. Latin America’s rich biodiversity and indigenous knowledge systems, combined with Switzerland’s expertise in mountainous ecosystems and advanced climate modeling, create opportunities for innovative and scalable solutions. Panelists discussed the need for such partnerships to prioritize data collection and capacity building, especially in areas like health impact assessment and fiscal policy analysis, where significant gaps currently exist.
Audience participation further enriched the discussion, with questions addressing the practical challenges of implementing these ideas and the barriers to fostering deeper collaboration. Panelists responded by acknowledging the persistent challenges of limited data availability, funding constraints, and political instability, and emphasized the importance of building resilient data infrastructure and fostering regional networks for knowledge exchange.
This session highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change through collaborative efforts that bridge research, policy, and local action. It highlighted the need for inclusive strategies that consider the diverse vulnerabilities and strengths of Latin American communities. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and emphasizing the importance of actionable knowledge, the event provided a platform for participants to explore innovative solutions to enhance climate resilience in the region.
The session concluded with a call for action to trigger a sustained dialogue and create the establishment of platforms to connect researchers, policymakers, and community leaders. The debate stressed the urgency of addressing data gaps in health and fiscal policy assessments, translating scientific insights into practical policies, and leveraging international cooperation to enhance adaptation efforts in Latin America. By overcoming these challenges, stakeholders can develop evidence-based strategies that are not only effective but also equitable and inclusive.
CLOC Conéctate A+ reaffirmed its commitment to advancing research and fostering collaboration to tackle the challenges posed by climate change. This session marked another step in promoting sustainable and adaptive practices that can empower Latin American communities to build a resilient future.