08/10/2023
During the climate week in Panama, the EU Ambassador and the EUROCLIMA programme have deployed an extensive programme of activities
Just Energy Transition has been one of the main topics addressed during the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Climate Week 2023. The Climate Week, organised by the Government of Panama, brought together key actors from the regions to make climate action visible, encourage greater ambition and provide regional momentum to achieve breakthrough outcomes at COP28.
Tripling the global rate of renewable energy (mainly solar, wind and to a lesser extent hydro) and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 are two of the targets proposed by the European Union (EU) to achieve a commitment at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in support of a green and just energy transition.
The EU has been present in conversation and dialogue with its partners. The EU Ambassador in Panama, Izabela Matusz, has participated in the Climate Week presenting the renewed EU-LAC partnership, the new Global Gateway strategy that the EU offers to the region, and explaining how through the identification of green and fair investment opportunities it seeks to promote an inclusive energy transition that contributes to improving energy security and existing inequalities.
Latin America and the Caribbean have great renewable energy potential, which translates into numerous sustainable energy investment opportunities ranging from renewable energy generation, transmission, distribution, energy efficiency, energy access and, more recently, renewable hydrogen. For this, we need to create a more enabling environment for industry to invest in LAC.
In addition, the EU also prioritises engaging and connecting young people through their full participation in democratic life, especially on key issues such as climate change and advancing strategies to achieve the global goals of the Paris Agreement.
The Euroclima programme has been heavily involved during this week, organising, co-organising and supporting 20 events, holding numerous bilateral meetings with different stakeholders and following the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee. The European programme participated in events on electric mobility, green hydrogen, energy transition, investments and access to climate finance, articulation of ecosystems for climate action, opportunities and exchange of regional experiences for the development of carbon products, initiatives to boost work with the private sector and action for climate empowerment.
In addition, there has been a virtual reality space to show in a visual and entertaining way the cases of good practices of integrated management of water resources in Guatemala and Peru through the Water Routes project (Urban Water in the Marqués Valley and Water for Abancay).
We are confident that this week’s work, discussions and exchanges will allow us to continue advancing in the challenge we face today with climate change and constitute the seed of a broad commitment on the part of both regions to meet our objectives, and the achievement of a truly sustainable development.
Euroclima is the regional cooperation programme that fosters the strategic partnership between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean, based on shared values and a commitment to jointly address climate change and biodiversity loss. A platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences between countries in the region and with the European Union.
The programme is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Government and is implemented under the Spirit of Team Europe, through the synergistic work of eight agencies: Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), AFD Group: Agence Française de Développement (AFD)/ Expertise France (EF), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Fundación Internacional y para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas (FIIAPP), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
