Distributional implications of climate change and policy recommendations for an inclusive, just and sustainable transition

Inequality, both among and within countries, is a significant barrier to transitioning to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies. This is especially true in regions like Latin America and the Caribbean, where high levels of structural inequality persist. The multiple dimensions of inequality include differences in carbon footprints and varying vulnerabilities to climate impacts. Developing nations are disproportionately affected by climate change because of their reduced capacity to cope with its impacts owing to their economic structures, poor access to basic services and geography. A mix …

Growth and the distribution of its benefits: measurement and policy recommendations. ECLAC contribution to the G20 Framework Working Group

Addressing inequality fosters an enabling environment for innovation and capacity-building amid technological advancements, leading to economic growth and the strengthening of political institutions. Despite the increased focus on income inequality in recent years, its measurement remains a topic of discussion. This document highlights the need to improve the availability and timeliness of household surveys, national accounts and income tax records for a more complete picture of income distribution. Integrating these data sources through the construction of “distributional national accounts” p…

The Hummingbird Vol. 11 No. 11

Industrial policy trends in Germany

Industrial policy is firmly back on the international agenda and it comes in new forms. The general attitude of governments around the world has gone through phases: from outright rejection in some countries during the neoliberal phase to light-handed interventions in the early 2000s, and, increasingly, to deeper interventions over the last 10 to 15 years. Two trends are driving industrial policymaking of late, especially in the United States, China and Europe: decarbonization, which requires deep, government-led restructuring of various industries; and increasing geopolitical rivalry and supp…

Making peace with nature: Regional actions to mainstream and invest in biodiversity

The host country of the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Colombia, selected “Peace with nature” as the theme of the meeting. Peace with nature is of the utmost relevance for all regions, and its achievement is not just an environmental necessity but a socioeconomic imperative. Biodiversity underpins ecosystem services that are vital for human survival, economic prosperity and social well-being. Peace with nature requires just and transformative changes in economic, social and governance systems.…

Reducing Inequality and Pursuing Inclusive Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: Challenges, Priorities and Key Messages in preparation for the Second World Summit for Social Development

In the 30 years since the World Summit for Social Development held in Copenhagen, inclusive social development has played an increasingly central role in the region’s policies, institutions and performance. However, big challenges remain as new risks are emerging, and these must be addressed with new agreements and better policies to achieve inclusion and ensure the exercise of social rights, as recommended in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Amid the major changes, various crises and new conflicts under way, the Second World Summit for Social Development, to be held in 2025, repre…

The cost of the double burden of malnutrition: main social and economic impacts in eight Latin American countries

The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are in the midst of a demographic, epidemiological and nutritional transition, as rates of life expectancy, population ageing and chronic diseases are on the rise and there is a marked shift from undernutrition to a combination of the latter with overweight and obesity. Beyond the social impact of this process and the infringement of the rights of those affected by it, there are significant economic costs for society at large. To address these transitions and ensure the right to food and nutrition security for the entire population, evidencebase…

The urgency of investing in health systems in Latin America and the Caribbean to reduce inequality and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

This report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is being published with six years left to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The combination of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and interrelated and cascading crises has provoked an alarming situation that threatens the attainment of the SDGs globally and in the countries of the region. The multidimensional effects of the pandemic stalled actions linked to achieving various SDGs, causing a regre…

Inclusive Migration Governance in the Americas and Caribbean: A Primer for Parliamentarians

Throughout history, migration has been a fundamental part of human development, presenting with it many opportunities and challenges for both individuals and States. Over the last 50 years, the share of migrants among the world population has remained relatively stable, rising from 2.3 percent in 1970 to 3.6 percent in 2020. As the global population has increased, the number of migrants has also grown significantly – from 84 million in 1970 to 281 million in 2020 – along with unequal distribution across regions. Coupled with increasingly complex drivers of migration, such as climate change, th…

New objectives, same rationales: shifts in the United Kingdom’s industrial strategies?

This report tracks the development of the Industrial Strategy of the United Kingdom, from its publication in 2017 through to the period following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Using information from official policy documents, grey literature and academic publications —as well as conversations with experts— this document provides an overview of the Strategy’s rationales and objectives and of the instruments adopted under it. The report also discusses implementation challenges and presents lessons for the future design and implementation of industrial strategies. Following the wit…

United States economic outlook: first half of 2024

The United States economy expanded at an annualized rate of 3.0% in the second quarter of 2024 —more than double the 1.4% GDP growth recorded in the first quarter and well above the economy’s long-term growth potential—, driven primarily by consumer spending. The resilience of consumer spending has been supported by receding inflation and a robust labour market. Inflation slowed to 2.5% in August 2024, the lowest level in more than three years. Employment has increased for 44 consecutive months, but the labour market is softening. The Federal Reserve announced an interest rate cut of 0.50% in …

Efficient and quality infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean: how to improve investment performance

This FAL Bulletin analyses the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure investments to promote better outcomes and facilitate the closing of the infrastructure gap in Latin America and the Caribbean. The document outlines the importance of project performance in promoting quality infrastructure. In addition to examining the recent evolution of the World Bank’s logistics performance index (LPI) in the countries of the region, it proposes specific methodologies to improve the management of public infrastructure and reiterates key principles for achieving higher quality in project implement…

Sociodemographic inequality gaps in the Amazon region: support for the preparation and implementation of the Amazonian Strategic Cooperation

In the context of this study, the Amazon region is not just a diverse combination of biomes that is of great structural importance given its contribution to the environment and climate; it is also home to more than 50 million people. To enable better understand the living conditions and various needs and vulnerabilities of Amazonian peoples, this document analyses sociodemographic inequality gaps among the population living in the territories of the Amazon region. An analysis of sociodemographic indicators taken from population censuses and household surveys of member countries of the Amazon …

Development Traps in Latin America and the Caribbean: Vital Transformations and How to Manage Them. Summary

Latin America and the Caribbean is facing a number of development traps that pose significant obstacles to a more productive, inclusive and sustainable future. This development crisis coincides with an international context that has changed considerably in the last decade —both on the geo-economic and geopolitical fronts— and which is shifting towards a new set of rules for trade and investment. For its fortieth session, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is putting forward a new proposal analysing three transformations that are vital for moving towards a new d…

Development Traps in Latin America and the Caribbean: Vital Transformations and How to Manage Them

Latin America and the Caribbean is facing a number of development traps that pose significant obstacles to a more productive, inclusive and sustainable future. This development crisis coincides with an international context that has changed considerably in the last decade —both on the geo-economic and geopolitical fronts— and which is shifting towards a new set of rules for trade and investment. For its fortieth session, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is putting forward a new proposal analysing three transformations that are vital for moving towards a new …

Report on the activities of the Commission, 2023

In 2023, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary. Since its establishment in 1948, ECLAC has been a leader in generating applied knowledge and research from the perspective of the region. The Commission’s commitment has remained strong throughout these past decades, contributing to the design and implementation of public policies taking into consideration the needs and demands of member States. This report on the activities undertaken by ECLAC in 2023 highlights the Commission’s key achievements and contributions and is hereb…

Strengthening regional capacities to address the risk of and from overshooting 1.5°C global warming in Latin America and the Caribbean

The main objective of this background paper is to raise awareness and support Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) governments and non-state actors to strengthen their capacities to engage in and/or lead global conversations on how to manage the risk of temporary overshoot and the role -if any- of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) in the context of achieving and safeguarding delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This document was prepared by Fundación Torcuato Di Tella (FTDT), funded by the Carnegie Climate Governance Initiative (C2G), and produced in collaboration with the Unit…

Medium-term changes in the patterns of internal population movements in Latin American countries: effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted population movement around the world. Existing work has focused on countries of the Global North and restricted to the immediate effects of COVID-19 during 2020. Data have represented a major limitation to monitor changes in mobility patterns in Latin American countries. Drawing on aggregate anonymised mobile phone location data from Meta‐Facebook users, we aim to analyse the extent and persistence of changes in the levels (or intensity) and spatial patterns of internal population movement across the rural-urban continuum in Argentina, Chile and Mexico over a…

The Hummingbird Vol. 11 No. 10

Paperless trade system of the Republic of Korea: an analysis of the UNIPASS and uTradeHub single windows

Over the last two decades, the concept of the single window for foreign trade has become an increasingly important item on the global trade facilitation agenda. Asia is home to some of the world’s most advanced single windows, and the Republic of Korea is among the pioneers in the transition towards a paperless trade environment. This document presents the history and main features of its dual system, composed of two interconnected single windows: UNIPASS and uTradeHub. The experience in the Republic of Korea may be useful for policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean, where single windo…