The Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development is a key regional mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their targets, and means of implementation, as well as the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing for development. This forum was created by the member states of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in May 2016, during its thirty-sixth session in Mexico City.
The forum is multi-stakeholder in nature, meaning that it is open not only to the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean, but also to national parliaments, United Nations agencies, regional and subregional organizations, international financial institutions, development banks, the private sector, academia, and civil society. Its purpose is to offer valuable opportunities for peer learning through voluntary reviews, the exchange of good practices, and the discussion of common goals. The conclusions of this forum are submitted directly to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the main global mechanism for following up on the 2030 Agenda, which convenes every July in New York.
Latin America and the Caribbean, despite representing only 16% of the Earth’s surface, is home to 40% of its biodiversity. Six of the ten most biodiverse countries in the world are in this region: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. This natural wealth presents a crucial challenge: how to sustainably harness the products and services provided by biodiversity to drive economic development while preserving the ecosystems that sustain life in the region. This forum allows the region to speak with its own voice regarding the implementation of the transformative agenda that the world has set for 2030, reflecting the diverse concerns and perspectives of the countries in addressing global challenges.
The region is home to 33% of the planet’s mammals, 35% of its reptiles, 43% of its birds, 50% of its amphibians, and nearly 50% of its tropical forests. The quality of life in the region depends heavily on this biodiversity. However, the region faces significant population growth, with an annual increase of 6 to 7 million people. By 2030, the regional GDP could double, and the middle class could expand to over 500 million people. Consequently, water consumption may increase by 25%, and electricity demand by 50%. These figures highlight the urgent need for sustainable business practices. If businesses are not sustainable, their longevity is at risk.
The predominant development model in the region has been extractive, which endangers ecosystems. Fortunately, there are promising examples of new techniques that allow not only for conservation but also for leveraging the comparative advantages that biodiversity offers. Ecosystems are essential for water security, soil fertility, pollination, coastal protection, food security, storm mitigation, climate regulation, and new business opportunities. In this sense, Latin America has the chance to lead the way towards a sustainable development model that fosters both a vibrant economy and a healthy natural environment.
From a theoretical perspective, the concept of the “Anthropocene,” as elaborated by Arias Maldonado in his work “Anthropocene: Politics in the Human Age”, reinforces the relevance of these discussions. The Anthropocene, defined as a new geological era marked by human influence on the Earth’s natural processes, forces us to reconsider our relationship with nature. According to Maldonado, this era implies that natural processes are no longer autonomous but are profoundly shaped by human actions. This socio-natural hybridization requires us to rethink sustainability strategies, protection, and ecosystem restoration.
In addition to these theoretical insights, recent analyses of the SDGs in Latin America and the Caribbean indicate a mixed picture. In terms of progress towards the 2030 targets, several areas show significant challenges. For instance, none of the indicators for clean water and sanitation, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action present promising trends. Themes as zero hunger, responsible consumption and production also show regressions in more than 50% of the indicators analyzed.
Most indicators for gender equality, peace, justice, and strong institutions are on the right track but lack the acceleration needed to meet the 2030 targets. Meanwhile, no poverty and good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation, and infrastructure, and partnerships for the goals exhibit all three projected scenarios: achievement, progress in the right direction but with insufficient advances, and regression. This underscores the need for more robust efforts to ensure the region meets its sustainable development commitments.
Lastly, a significant issue is the lack of data for many indicators, particularly for end poverty, gender equality, cities and communities, climate change, peace, justice and solid institutions. This highlights the importance of increasing data availability to gain a clearer perspective on the progress of the SDGs and their targets.
Societies must find a development model that, as the author suggests, combines sustainability and dynamism in alignment with socio-natural relationships. This model will be crucial in addressing the challenges of the Anthropocene, such as biodiversity loss and climate change, and it must involve not only governments but also the private sector and civil society.
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