Proposal on debt for climate adaptation swaps: a strategy for growth and economic transformation of Caribbean economies

ECLAC advocates that the Caribbean’s high debt dilemma was not principally driven by policy missteps, or the international financial crisis. Rather, it finds its roots in external shocks, compounded by the inherent structural weaknesses and vulnerabilities confronting Caribbean SIDS and their limited capacity to respond. A major factor has been the underperformance of the export sector, partly due to a decline in competitiveness and a slowdown in economic activity especially among the tourism-dependent economies. Caribbean countries have also accumulated debt as a consequence of increased expenditures to address the impact of extreme events and climate change attendant difficulties. Most Caribbean countries are located in the hurricane belt and are also prone to earthquakes and other hazards. Indeed, a disaster resulting in damage and losses in excess of 5 per cent of GDP can be expected to hit any Caribbean country every few years. Moreover, over the period 2000-2014, it is estimated that the economic cost of natural disasters in Caribbean countries was in excess of US$30.7 billion. The English Speaking Caribbean countries are extremely vulnerable to natural disasters.

Evaluation report of the training course on disaster assessment methodology

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has been a pioneer in the field of disaster assessment and in the development and dissemination of the Disaster Assessment Methodology. The organization’s history in assessing disasters started in 1972 with the earthquake that struck Managua, Nicaragua. Since then, ECLAC has led more than 90 assessments of the social, environmental and economic effects and impacts of disasters in 28 countries in the region. The Sustainable Development and Disaster Unit provides expert assistance in disaster assessment and disaster risk reduction to Caribbean states and to all countries across Latin America. Considering that assessing the effects and impacts of disasters is critical to the Latin American and Caribbean countries, the Unit has started a new cycle of training courses. The training is designed for policymakers and professionals involved directly with disaster risk management and risk reduction. Additionally, and since the methodology is comprehensive in approach, it is also designed for sector specialists, providing a multisectoral overview of the situation after a disaster, as well as an economic estimate of the damages, losses and additional costs. In an attempt to strengthen disaster risk reduction through its financial instruments, the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES for its acronym in Portuguese) of Brazil requested that ECLAC undertake a four-day training programme on the Disaster Assessment Methodology.

La sostenibilidad del desarrollo a 20 años de la cumbre para la tierra: avances, brechas y lineamientos estratégicos para América Latina y el Caribe

Incluye Bibliografía

Pobreza, desertificación y degradación de los recursos naturales

Incluye Bibliografía

Cambio climático y desarrollo en América Latina y el Caribe. Reseña 2009

Incluye Bibliografía

Aspectos destacados de la economía y el comercio entre los Estados Unidos y América Latina y el Caribe

Documento preparado con ocasión de la visita del Presidente de Estados Unidos, Barack Obama, a Brasil, Chile y El Salvador en Marzo 2011

Recursos naturales en UNASUR: situación y tendencias para una agenda de desarrollo regional

Incluye Bibliografía

Reducción de emisiones por deforestación y degradación de bosques (REDD+) en los países de América Latina: requirimientos institucionales y jurídicos para su implementación

Incluye Bibliografía

El acceso de los indígenas a la tierra en los ordenamientos jurídicos de América Latina: un estudio de casos

Incluye Bibliografía

Bases conceptuales para la elaboración de una nueva agenda sobre los recursos naturales

Incluye Bibliografía

Los recursos naturales en los tratados de libre comercio con Estados Unidos

Incluye Bibliografía

El desarrollo productivo basado en la explotación de los recursos naturales

Incluye Bibliografía

Ventajas comparativas: aspectos metodológicos, reservas y producción minera-metalúrgica en América Latina y el Caribe

Incluye Bibliografía

Estudio general sobre los recursos naturales renovables para la alimentación y la agricultura en el Gran Caribe = Overview on the state of renewable natural resources for food and agriculture in the Wider Caribbean

Incluye Bibliografía

Guía general para la prevención-mitigación de vulnerabilidades y control de desastres hidrometeorológicos

Incluye Bibliografía