Cambio climático y desempeño económico en América Latina: impactos, vulnerabilidades y respuestas adaptativas

Tulio Andrés Clavijo Gallego; Carlos Enrique Osorio Garcés; Alexandra Forero Mendoza

doi:10.58763/rc2026618

Authors

Tulio Andrés Clavijo Gallego Universidad del Cauca. Popayán, Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3737-0542
Carlos Enrique Osorio Garcés Universidad del Cauca. Popayán, Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5416-2959
Alexandra Forero Mendoza Universidad de la Amazonia. Florencia, Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8163-8118

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58763/rc2026618

Keywords:

Climate change, economic development, environmental policy, Latin America, sustainable development

Abstract

Introduction: Climate change poses a growing challenge to the development of Latin America and the Caribbean due to its effects on productivity, infrastructure, employment, public finances, and living conditions. This study aimed to understand the perceptions, assessments, and interpretive frameworks of specialists regarding the relationship between climate change and regional economic performance, with an emphasis on impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptive responses. Methods: A basic qualitative study was conducted, with an interpretive-constructivist orientation and a descriptive-interpretive scope. Twelve specialists participated, selected through non-probability snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via videoconference between March and July 2016. The data were analyzed using a hybrid, deductive-inductive thematic analysis, supported by ATLAS.ti. Results: The findings showed that climate effects propagate through production, labor, territorial, and fiscal chains, and that their intensity depends on structural vulnerabilities associated with inequality, dependence on sensitive sectors, territorial exposure, financial constraints, and unequal institutional capacities. Furthermore, a persistent gap was identified between climate policy formulation and its effective implementation, especially at the subnational level. Opportunities associated with innovation, renewable energy, nature-based solutions, and productive transformation were also recognized, contingent upon adequate regional governance capacity, resources, and institutional continuity. Conclusions: Climate adaptation must be integrated into economic and territorial planning as a structural component of development. Strengthening resilience requires preventative policies, sufficient financing, institutional capacity, productive diversification, and protection of vulnerable groups, moving beyond fragmented and purely reactive responses.

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