Chilean Outlook on COP25: Hopes of Latin America, Part III
Chile, a prosperous nation in Latin America with over 18 million people, has found itself at the forefront of climate change discussions. The country, known for its significant wine and fruit production, is grappling with the impacts of climate change on its fresh water supplies.
Originally, Santiago de Chile was set to host the COP25 international climate talks, but the conference was relocated to Madrid due to widespread protests resulting from high social inequality and rising cost of living. The intended citizen COP, with a strong focus on mobilizing Latin American civil society, has taken a different turn.
The Chilean government's climate change policies are heavily dependent on the support of big energy and industrial companies. This has raised concerns within civil society, with the closure of coal power plants being one of the key demands. However, the government has agreed on a timeframe for this closure, albeit not sufficient to satisfy all concerns.
The Chilean constitution, which promotes resource extraction over ecosystem protection, is a major obstacle to climate change adaptation. The government recently decided to change the Constitution of the Republic of Chile, primarily to respond to broad public demand for a new, more democratic and inclusive constitutional framework that replaces the Pinochet-era constitution, addressing social inequalities and enhancing rights.
Chile's economy relies heavily on the extraction of natural resources, which has been done at high environmental costs. The Despertar movement, behind the recent social uprising in Chile, does not have its roots in environmental issues, but the social crisis is also an environmental one.
Climate change is causing a rise in water temperatures and acidification in Chile's oceans, affecting the fishing industry consisting of nearly 20,000 fishermen. Water shortage is a major climate-induced challenge in central Chile, with dramatic decreases in water availability in reservoirs serving Santiago.
Despite the move to Madrid, there is still hope for Chile to be pressured to act on its climate promise and shut down its dirtiest power stations. The new objectives, such as Chile's announcement to peak national emissions by 2027, offer a glimmer of hope. However, the new carbon emission tax remains low at 5 US dollars, and the new objectives are not yet law.
The international climate negotiations at COP25 in Madrid are unlikely to produce significant surprises. Nevertheless, the discussions will continue to shed light on Chile's climate change challenges and the steps needed to address them. The reduced presence of Latin American civil society groups due to the relocation of COP25 has diminished the sense of urgency in these discussions, but the need for action remains.
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