Littlejohn-Carrillo: Climate crisis could cut Latin America's GDP by 23%

The climate crisis could reduce Latin America's GDP by 23% by 2050, Fiona Littlejohn-Carrillo, representative of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), said during an event held within the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

She noted that although Latin America contributes only 10% of global emissions, it is among the regions most severely affected by climate change's economic impacts.

"While global per capita GDP is expected to decline by 0.8–5% by 2030, in Latin America this figure could range from 0.8–6.3%. Under a high-emission scenario, GDP in the region could shrink by up to 23% by 2050. These impacts affect not only national economies but also cities, households, and every citizen's life," the official said.

Littlejohn-Carrillo added that the frequency and intensity of natural disasters in the region are increasing, with economic consequences becoming more destructive: "A single disaster occurring in one day can reverse years of economic progress in a country. Ultimately, the effects touch every layer of society – from the first citizen to the last."