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What should Argentina do?

1

Align its development plans with the 1.5ºC trajectories

  • Phase out Fossil Fuel production and Phase in Renewables more aggressively (more than 40% by 2030)
  • Prioritize Energy Efficiency measures
  • Invest in sustainable mobility (modal changes, fuel efficiency and diversification, and urban planning)
  • Stop deforestation and promote regeneration of degraded areas
  • Address methane emissions by improving Agricultural practices in line with Biodiversity targets
  • Promote agroecology practices as a sustainable way to produce food
  • Address properly the issue of Critical minerals for the transition to ensure an inclusive and environmental integrity
2

Implement a Just transition plan

  • Promote inclusion of Unions and workers in transition plans
  • Fully implement the Convention 169 of ILO on Indigenous peoples and the Escazu Agreement
3

Implement a robust Adaptation plan (make section head)

  • Invest in monitoring and research for Climate impacts
  • Prioritize the development of resilient infrastructure using climate change projections
  • Increase awareness on climate risks and deploy early warning systems against inevitable climate impacts
4

Shift in financial expenditures to promote the transition and Resilience

What should be known about Argentina?

  • Argentina is a federal country. The provinces are the “owners” of the “natural resources”. Therefore the climate policy requires the active participation of the provinces, which in some cases depend economically on the revenues from extractive industries.
  • The high dependency of the provinces on high emission sectors (Meat production, Oil, Gas, Minerals) sets a high vulnerability in the light of the transition. This requires long term strategy that carefully considers the transition of the subnational economies.
  • Lithium has entered in the podium of the most interested commodities in the country.
  • Argentina has a State Own Petrol Company (YPF) which employs (directly) more than 20000 employees, which has a big impact in the indirect jobs, which has to be taken into account.
  • 95% of wildfires in Argentina are intentional. Climate change increases the risk of having them out of control.

Recent developments, threats and levers for action

Recent developments

  • Shale gas and offshore oil exploration: A new gas pipeline is in the making and making progress very rapidly, with the aim to export to Brazil.
  • Argentina has a very restrictive policy on imports, and due to the pressure of the industry, it got the permits for all imports required. Fossil Fuel subsidies are still very present in the economy mostly dedicated to the producers side while government measures target consumers.
  • Changes in porvincial Law and Constitutions to undermine Environmental, media, and social rights: In May 2023 a province (Jujuy, where the main Lithium resources are) changed the provincial constitution within weeks with the aim, among other things, to limit the right to protest. This created strong teaction from Indigenous peoples and comunities igeneral. The current governor is now canditate to the Vice Presidency of one of the main political parties.
  • Energy transition plan for 2050 includes guidance for development of Shale gas and Blue Hydrogen. It does not prioritize renewables nor green Hydrogen.
  • Argentina has had the hottest winter in history in 2023, with some extreme days with over 30ºC

Strength

      • Renewable energy experience on some states Large Agriculture capacities (knowledge and technology) National grid, with investments, can distribute electricity through the country
      • Research institutions, public universities.
      • Large country, meaning variety of climates and resources.
      • Low political violence. 40 years of democracy

Opportunities

      • Renewables potential: solar, wind, green hydrogen. Human capacities: Public education (including technical schools).
      • National Research institutions Potential role of Argentina in the LAC context to lead.

Weaknesses

      • Lack of political consciousness about the urgency/responsibility.
      • Dissociation between Climate, social and economic policy
      • Exports are highly dependent on agriculture and weather.
      • Economy very vulnerable to climate impacts.
      • Some provincial economies dependent of a single sector (Oil, Agroindustry, Forestry)
      • Economic instability: Over 100% inflation plus international debt pressure

Threats

      • Fossil fuel and agribusiness domination of the political agenda
      • Far right growing. Anti-rights political parties growing in the past few years
      • Narrative of economic development over environmental integrity.
      • International debt payment
      • Foreign exchange dependency need for obtain it through commodities (agribusiness, Oil and Gas)
      • Lock in of new extractivism as a transition model (Lithium)

About Climate Diplomacy Snapshots

The data is clear. Accelerated and enhanced action is needed now to build resilience and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. As they seek to address the ongoing health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19, the Ukraine-Russia war and growing climate change impacts, governments should seize opportunities to invest in a recovery that will build social, economic and climate resilience on the long-term.The Climate Diplomacy Snapshots aim to provide the climate community with a clear overview of what each country should do, on climate and recovery, to pursue these joint objectives and keep the global average temperature increase to 1.5°C. Each has been prepared with the help of national experts, and will be regularly updated. The snapshots aim to support climate advocacy in the lead up to COP28.

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