Abstract:
Chile has taken a decisive step toward advancing climate governance by enacting its Framework Law on Climate Change (2022), which mandates to develop and implement Local Climate Change Action Plans and Regional Climate Change Action Plans as part of the country’s path to carbon neutrality by 2050. To support this transformative process, the Program for Strengthening Regional and Local Capacities for the Implementation of the Framework Law trained more than 600 public officials and local actors across Chile. Led by the Ministry of the Environment, with the support of FAO and the Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR2), the program represents an unprecedented nationwide effort to enhance technical and institutional skills for climate action, positioning Chile as a regional reference in building decentralized and participatory climate capacities.
Complementing this effort, the project “Strengthening Capacities and Civic Participation for Climate-Resilient Communities in Chile” (a partnership between Columbia University and local institutions) focuses on empowering public, private, and community actors to plan and implement local adaptation and mitigation measures. Through participatory workshops, technical support, and collaboration between scientists, local governments, and communities—such as in San José de Maipo, a municipality highly exposed to climate and geological risks—the project strengthens local resilience and promotes inclusive, science-based planning. Together, these initiatives highlight Chile’s leadership in linking national frameworks with local implementation and offer valuable lessons for other countries seeking to strengthen multilevel climate governance and community-based resilience.
Panelists:
- Pilar Moraga - Director, Center For Climate and Resilience Research (CR2); Lead of the Climate Change Framework Law Observatory
- Antonia Samur - Project Lead, Columbia University
- Andres Pica - Head of Climate Change Division, Chilean Ministry of the Environment
- Karin Cabello - Director of Environment Municipality of San Jose de Maipo
