Throughout 2024, Climate Action Network Latin America (CANLA) worked to amplify civil society voices across the region, ensuring Latin American priorities shape international climate debates. CANLA’s efforts are deeply rooted in justice, equity, and inclusivity, strengthened by partnerships across the Global South.
A major achievement for CANLA during 2024 was the NDC Observatory, which critically monitored Latin American governments’ climate commitments under the UNFCCC. This initiative provided analysis on the implementation of NDCs from a justice and human rights perspective, holding governments accountable. Tracking fossil fuel dependency, biodiversity protection, indigenous rights, and climate finance, the Observatory became a key advocacy tool regionally and internationally.
At COP29 in Baku, CANLA played a leading role in connecting Latin American civil society with international decision-makers. The organisation aims to decolonise climate governance, and ensure the perspectives of frontline communities, indigenous groups, and grassroots organisations are heard at the highest levels.
A COP29 highlight was CANLA’s facilitation of exchanges between Latin American and European parliamentarians to influence EU-Latin America cooperation on a just energy transition. Parliamentarians from Mexico, Brazil, and Bolivia took the opportunity to raise urgent issues surrounding European-led extractive projects in the Amazon, fossil fuel phase-out, gender justice, and indigenous sovereignty. These exchanges allowed CANLA to directly challenge the European parliamentary delegation on the harmful development models that exist – and demand stronger commitments.
CANLA also collaborated with CAN Europe to organise two key in-person exchanges in June and November. Held in Bonn and Baku, these events allowed civil society networks from both regions to strategise, learn, and coordinate actions in advance of UNFCCC negotiations. These exchanges reinforced the need for regional solidarity in shaping the global climate agenda.
In line with CANLA’s just energy transition advocacy, civil society capacity was increased by the facilitation of capacity building workshops, conducting NDC and fossil fuel phase-out analysis, and developing case studies on just transition benefits. These efforts continue to contribute to CAN International’s advocacy strategies ahead of COP30, ensuring Latin American priorities are integrated into the global network.
Another milestone was the co-hosted COP29 side event on inclusive climate governance which focused on disability rights and intersectional climate action. This event brought together government representatives from Colombia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, as well as civil society leaders and advocates to discuss the need for equitable climate policies. Addressing barriers that marginalised communities face in accessing finance and decision-making, the event pushed for an intersectional and funded just transition.
CANLA also worked to strengthen intra-regional coordination across Latin America and the Caribbean, recognising the power of a unified voice in climate justice advocacy. CANLA’s support for national coalitions, technical assistance in policy analysis, and closer engagement with social movements ensured civil society could better engage in climate governance processes. Additionally, there was proactive influence on government policies aimed to deliver stronger fossil fuel phase-out commitments in Colombia, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil.
Looking ahead, CANLA remains committed to ensuring Latin American civil society plays a strong and independent role in global climate governance. Advocacy will continue to press for a just energy transition, a prioritisation of people over profit, inclusive climate finance mechanisms, and policies that recognise indigenous rights and frontline defenders.
With climate negotiations still dominated by Global North interests, CANLA’s mission to put the underrepresented in control, expose false solutions, and demand accountability from powerful actors has never been more crucial. CAN Latin America stands firm in reshaping climate governance from the ground up, ensuring justice and equity remain non-negotiable principles in the fight for a liveable planet.
