The environmental agenda of Latin American countries: an analysis of climate policy and regional challenges of "green development"

The article analyzes the environmental agenda of Latin American countries with a focus on climate policy and regional issues related to the transition to green development. The relevance of the study is due to the unique role of the region as the custodian of a significant part of the world's biodiversity and natural resources, as well as its impact on global climate processes. The paper examines the main features of the national climate strategies of the leading countries of the region — Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and others, as well as their participation in international climate agreements. The methodological basis of the study was the analysis of official statistical data, reports of international organizations (IRENA, ECLAC, EDGAR), as well as materials from scientific publications and government documents. The article uses quantitative indicators on greenhouse gas emissions, the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix, the dynamics of deforestation and forest degradation, as well as socio-economic indicators, including the level of poverty and inequality. The article examines national decarbonization programs, including the Brazilian RenovaBio and the Mexican greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading System (ETS), as well as the role of the BRICS countries in shaping the global climate agenda. The importance of integrating climate policy with the socio-economic goals of sustainable development and the need for regional cooperation to improve the effectiveness of environmental measures is emphasized. The results of the study are of practical importance for the development and adjustment of national and regional sustainable development strategies, as well as for international cooperation on climate and environmental issues. Keywords: Latin America, climate policy, green development, renewable energy sources, deforestation, socio-economic challenges, BRICS, sustainable development