The ecological footprint is the relationship between the number of inhabitants of a country together with the analysis of resource consumption patterns, waste production and emissions from a given population. Latin America is in a deficient paradigm in environmental matters. The constant exploitation of natural resources, overfishing, soil degradation, destruction of forests and constant increase in waste production are the reasons for this poor performance. In addition, one of our great problems is social inequality. This leads to poverty, lack of education in vast sectors of the population and therefore to the lack of sustainable planning.
Cities such as Mexico City, Lima, Bogotá and Santiago de Chile are the most polluted capitals in Latin America, with worrying levels of pollution and photochemical smog. In some cases, even reaching toxic levels in the air. However, there is still hope. On the other hand, during the last few years, there are signs of sustainable planning in Latin America. The region has begun to change its production and consumption behavior, leading efforts to change the paradigm, especially after the Pandemic.
Uruguay is a leading country in the application of renewable energies. More than 25% of the country’s demand for electricity comes from wind power, a very high figure. The country hopes to reach 35% very soon. Uruguay’s leadership in the process of identifying priorities ensures transparent and participatory consultation processes. This occurred due to the planning of the energy policy and the 2005-2030 energy plan, which was approved as state policy by all political parties. The country has cities like Punta del Este, which is committed to sustainable tourism, implementing recycling practices, reforestation and reducing the use of plastic as local government policies.
Costa Rica is a pioneer country with respect to environmental protection. The use of preservation and ecotourism measures make its growing new economy a leader in sustainable planning. Measures such as the mitigation of transport emissions; adaptation of coastal communities; zoning and definition of land use; strengthening of the peasant sector with the application of new technologies; adaptation measures for water resources; comprehensive management of marine resources, among others put the country at the head of the continent in terms of environmental protection. In the private sector, Holcim company seeks to generate a cultural change in the management of solid waste in communities, through the classification and disposal of waste. Its main function is to educate and reduce the generation of impacts generated in environmental matters.
In Brazil despite its high levels of resource exploitation and previous environmental policies, it is one of the countries with the most ecological protection initiatives in the region. Banco do Brasil is among the most sustainable companies in the world. As well as “Natura”, a cosmetics company that carries out actions for the sustainable use of the natural resources of the Amazon. 80% of its products are of plant based. The country also has cities like Curitiba, the greenest destination in Latin America due to its 26 ecological parks. Their development goes hand in hand with the environment. Its transportation system is so good that it is used by most of its inhabitants.
In Colombia the policy (Decree 298) establishes the organization and operation of the National Climate Change System. They have tools such as the Intersectoral Commission on Climate Change, which has as its institutional framework The National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change; the Colombian Strategy for Low Carbon Development; the National Strategy for the Reduction of Deforestation and Forest Degradation; the Financial Protection Strategy against Disasters, among others. These initiatives will allow the country to promote low-carbon and climate-resilient development as rule of law. On the other hand the private sector has companies such as the Smurfit Kappa Foundation, creating the initiative “La Alternancia”, which is a model of comprehensive technical, agricultural and forestry education, with an emphasis on the creation of rural micro-enterprises. Smurfit approves access to microcredit for the development of rural enterprises and environmental technology.
Chile is the country where the greatest increase in temperature per decade is observed. Although there are more and more national initiatives to improve this phenomenon every year. Its new sustainable, low-carbon and competitive economy makes society begin to move towards a circular economy. It has institutional tools, such as the Tourism Sector Climate Change Adaptation Plan; the National GHG Inventory Report; the National Determined Contribution in the Paris Agreement (NDC); the 2017 National Climate Change Action Plan 2022, among others. These initiatives will help decoupling economic growth and resource consumption. In addition, the country also has the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, which is a world renowned sanctuary for the protection of nature and some endangered species.
Mexico, despite its high emission level is reforming its institutional framework towards a new environmental policy plan focused on promoting sustainable development. With a duration of 4 years, the Environment and Natural Resources Sector Program 2020-2024 executes the objectives of the 2030 Agenda that seek to eradicate poverty, protect the environment and prosperity for all. In the private sector, CEMEX Mexico created the Community Environmental Restoration Program to strengthen environmental knowledge among young people, through training, participatory restoration activities and environmental improvement education. The program is based on the Participatory Environmental Education (EAP) model, which incorporates the knowledge and practices of the participants in the educational processes.
Argentina has been involved with ecological planning after ratifying the Paris agreement. Institutional tools such as the National Climate Change Office; the Federal Environment Council and the Climate Action Sustainable Development Goals, adopt urgent measures to combat climate change and its effects. The National GHG Inventory, materials and energy for companies, waste reduction/reuse and ecodesign are among its priorities to reduce its ecological footprint. The country is home to cities like Bariloche, which seeks to be a fully sustainable tourist destination by 2025. In the private sector, the Holcim Foundation created an initiative called Social Cartography and Urban Acupuncture. This project aims to revitalize the communities near Holcim plants through care for the environment and the construction of public spaces that promote an environmental citizen culture .
Progressively, the human being begins to understand his environment and to measure how much impact his actions generate in the environment. Latin America is a region with much to do in environmental matters, but the progressive development of our sustainable policies will be established. The change in our habits and in our conscience will not only reduce our ecological footprint, but will also make us more judicious planners and responsible. We Take as an example the EU initiatives that create institutional frameworks such as The Climate and Energy Framework 2030, which estimates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% for that year. The joint participation of the American nations is the most feasible solution for such an important and worrying phenomenon. For this reason, a decarbonization plan for the energy and the total electrification of the transportation system in Latin America is necessary. With this, avoiding the production of millions of tons of CO2, saving millions of dollars each year. The alliance and association with the EU and other multilateral organizations is a key solution.