The Parliamentary Observatory on Climate Change and Just Transition (OPCC) is an initiative of parliamentary leaders from various countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) that recognizes the necessity to fortify interparliamentary collaboration with the main purpose of building up a regional agenda on climate ambition and just transition.
The Observatory was officially launched at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), held in November 2021, when fifteen parliamentarians from twelve countries in LAC signed a Joint Statement, marking the establishment of the OPCC. In the following year, at COP 27, participants of the OPCC signed a second Joint Statement, reaffirming their commitment to co-constructing a concrete agenda of actions to promote access to information and the development of policies related to climate change.
This year, at COP28, the OPCC will launch a new Joint Statement and carry out a variety of activities that will convene parliamentarians from LAC and the world; authorities and stakeholders, as well as civil society organizations, researchers, the productive sector and the general public. The OPCC side events at COP28 will promote in-depth and evidence-based discussions concerning the status of legislation and bills pertaining to environmental, climate change, and just transition matters across LAC, as presented in the recently launched OPCC Virtual Platform, available at: opcc.cepal.org.
The first event of the OPCC’s program at COP28 will be held at the Brazilian Pavilion on Dec 1, 2023. The event, titled “The leading role of Latin American and Caribbean parliamentarians in building a new green and inclusive development model”, will bring to light and encourage debate on the paths and proposals of the legislative branch for development challenges. ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs will share a keynote on the parliamentarians’ role to build a productive, sustainable, and inclusive future. During this event, parliamentarians will launch a Joint Statement that addresses proposals and commitments related to ambitious green and just transition. These plans are intended to contribute to protecting the environment and tackling climate urgency while also promoting socioeconomic development and the well-being of populations.
On Dec 5, the OPCC will join the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE) at the Parliamentary Pavilion at COP28 and welcome parliamentarians from various LAC countries to share their perspectives and actions in the panel “Promoting sustainable and inclusive development: Just transition perspectives in Latin America and the Caribbean”. Invited parliamentarians will delve into a comprehensive discussion on the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing a just transition in LAC, including prevalent socioeconomic inequality within the region and how the transition shall effectively contribute to poverty alleviation and social inclusion.
Finally, on Dec 8, the OPCC will promote a timely panel “From Mining to the Electric Mobility Industry in Latin America: The Role of Parliaments in Seizing Opportunities and Addressing Challenges” at the Pavilion of Chile. This event will promote a discussion on the role of mining, specifically lithium, in the context of electromobility and sustainable development in Latin American countries. The invited parliamentarians will present their views, reflections, and legislative proposals focusing on electromobility, illustrating relevant legislation and legal frameworks in the countries represented in the OPCC. Afterward, parliamentarians will be invited to sign the OPCC Joint Declaration at COP28, which will express the common voice of the legislators, highlighting their views and commitments to build a new model of green, sustainable, inclusive, and fair development.
