Talking about green industry at the Spain Pavilion at COP30 is especially relevant because the Latin American region is at a decisive moment: accelerating investments in this area is the only way to meet the climate change goals set out in the NDCs. COP30, organized by the Government of Brazil under the theme of implementing the agreements, precisely focuses on how to translate commitments into concrete actions. In this context, our event focuses on analyzing the barriers that hinder the implementation of the NDCs and on bringing to the table solutions that emerge from multi-stakeholder dialogue—the most effective tool to overcome deadlocks, build consensus, and create space for cross-sector collaboration.
The relevance of this approach also lies in its bi-regional nature: it is a dialogue that brings together actors from the European Union and Latin America, recognizing that neither region will be able to achieve its climate goals by acting in isolation. This cooperation must be made visible because it can serve as a reference model for other regions of the world seeking to develop joint climate action strategies.
Furthermore, the event offers an opportunity to highlight the importance of relations between Spain and Latin America through very concrete examples. The green transition in Spain and Europe depends largely on strategic value chains such as that of the automotive sector, which requires critical inputs for energy storage and the electrification of transport. Resources such as Chilean lithium clearly show how Latin America is an essential partner in strengthening the European green industry and how, through these alliances, the number of countries with which Spain collaborates in launching these kinds of transformative dialogues expands.
The panel will take the form of a moderated conversation, with brief interventions from each panelist (5–7 minutes), followed by a dialogue among the panelists and questions from the audience. This will allow for a direct exchange of experiences and best practices, making the panel more dynamic and participatory.
The panel will begin with a contextual introduction by the moderator, explaining the importance of environmental defenders, the risks they face, and the international protection framework, highlighting international agreements such as the EscazĂş Agreement.
Objectives
- Emphasize the role of the green industry as a strategic bridge between Europe and Latin America.
- Showcase how this collaboration is essential for the effective implementation of the NDCs.
- Promote the strengthening of value chains that enable a just and competitive green transition.
- Highlight barriers and opportunities faced by the region when talking about green industry.
Moderator
Santiago Lorenzo. Head of the Climate Change Economics Unit / ECLAC.
Speakers
- Blanca Patiño. External Collaborator, ILO Project Office in Panama.
- Jorge Barrigh. Regional Director for Impact Capital Americas at Heifer Impact Capital.
- Lara Lázaro. Senior Research Fellow at the Elcano Royal Institute.