The Latin American region of the World Bank is responding to climate change by taking measures to address transformations that have already occurred while protecting against damages that could arise in the future. Adaptation Global climate change has brought about transformations in nature that are irreversible (glaciers cannot be rebuilt, for example), would be extremely expensive to repair (such as salinization of island and coastal aquifers) or which ultimately result in important consequences for ecosystem stability and therefore human well-being. Examples of such changes include the emergence of diseases, sudden alterations in water quality and permanent shifts in regional climate. However, a series of measures can be implemented to promote adaptation to some of the changes. Adjustments can be made to the pace of use or access to the natural resource base in order to maintain reliable services from the affected ecosystem. Alternatively, a reorganization can be implemented in order to reduce exposure to loss or to exploit new opportunities from the affected resource. The World Bank is addressing adaptation issues through a series of projects . Mitigation is the promotion of policy, regulatory and project-based measures that contribute to the stabilization or reduction of greenhouse gases concentration in the atmosphere. Renewable energy programs, energy efficiency frameworks and substitution of fossil fuels are examples of climate change mitigation measures. View details of projects in the region on mitigation. Sequestration Carbon sequestration is the process through which agricultural and forestry practices remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The term “sinks” is also used to describe agricultural and forestry lands that absorb CO2, the most important global warming gas emitted by human activities. Agricultural and forestry practices can also release CO2 and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Sequestration activities can help prevent global climate change by enhancing carbon storage in trees and soils, preserving existing tree and soil carbon, and by reducing emissions of CO2, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). The following categories define carbon sequestration in agricultural and forestry practices: •Reforestation: is the process of restoring and recreating areas of woodlands or forest that once existed but were deforested or otherwise removed or destroyed at some point in the past. •Afforestation: is the process of converting open and into a forest by planting trees or their seeds.
Learn more about projects in the region related to sequestration Knowledge Sharing & Institutional Support Bringing together peers and experts from around the region among the public and private sectors, academia and civil society to share experience and lessons related to climate change is key to improving policy decision making and practices which can prevent climate change. Three main initiatives guide World Bank actions in Latin America & the Caribbean: a) Strengthen institutional capacity to allow regional governments and civil society to play an active and influential role in the international climate agenda by: cooperating in formulation of policies, standards, and guidelines and enhancing capacity to plan, manage, and monitor those policies; developing common regional positions and participating vigorously in international forums and negotiations; supporting effective mechanisms for sharing best practices in climate change assessment, adaptations, and technologies; promoting equity and fair valuation of carbon emission reductions and developing a portfolio of activities eligible for funding by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
b) Improve knowledge and analysis to support planning for adaptation measures and funding by: strengthening knowledge and documentation on vulnerable ecosystems and human health; assessing the impacts of climate change and its implications for sustainable development; analyzing policy options and identifying and supporting priority adaptation measures.
c) Increase carbon financing for mitigation actions and maximize the value of funding by seeking synergies and aligning strategies closely with local environmental and social priorities. |
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