Conference Agenda

This session will discuss the role of rigorous policy design in evaluating solutions for different pressing environmental challenges in Latin America. Latin America, a diverse region with nearly 650 million inhabitants, is characterized for its diverse population, ecosystems, and environmental and energy policies. Despite its diversity, the region faces several common environmental and climate change challenges, e.g. rapid increase in renewable energy investments, disproportionate climate vulnerability among population with limited adaptation capacities, and lack of institutional capacity. This proposed session will present evidence from four Latin American countries: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, and will cover several pressing climate change and energy issues in Latin America. Drawing examples from their research, the four panelists will discuss how the careful design of policies matters to address some of these issues. Helo Sarmiento will discuss the importance of health policy addressing climate change-driven increases in morbidity and mortality, Araujo will discuss different policies to address deforestation in Latin America, Jordan will discuss the role of different institutions among rural households facing climate change, and Aguilar-Garcia will discuss the health impacts of air quality regulation in Latin America.