Climate Sense

[

] 107

overnance

and

olicy

mulation than at present, as well as greater hydrological volatility

associated with El Niño and La Niña events. The hydrological cycle is

expected to change, in some cases the maximum run-off will suffer a

month’s displacement, whereas in others it will be uniformly distrib-

uted. To overcome such scenarios, dams are needed to reserve and

manage water resources in a warmer and drier climate. In response to

this, the National Action Plan includes priority guidelines for evalu-

ating the impact of climate change on the hydrological cycle, water

availability in future scenarios, improvement of irrigation technology,

and glacier studies and monitoring.

Energy plays an essential role in socioeconomic activities in all

countries. Chile, as a developing country, is aiming to improve the

well-being of its population and the role of energy is vital for its

sustainable economic development.

The challenge is how to grow

without increasing greenhouse gas emissions and without substan-

tially increasing energy production. From a global viewpoint, Chile

only contributes around 0.2 per cent to total emissions, but it must be

recognized that in order for it to continue its development, the country

will need to increase its energy production. With this in mind the

government, through the National Energy Commission, established a

new energy policy with the purpose of articulating a public policy for

long-term development and key guidelines for energy development

based on sufficiency, efficiency, equity, security and sustainability,

as well as to respond to requirements imposed by climate change

and related national and international policies and agreements for

environment protection.

In summary, the strategic guidelines are:

institutional strengthening by creating the Minister of Energy; promo-

tion and encouragement of energy efficiency; optimization of the

energy matrix by the inclusion of non-conventional sources; ensuring

that produced energy is compatible with sustainable development; and

to support the fair use of energy.

The government already has support projects in place that use

renewable, non-conventional energy sources. In 2001, the first

three wind tower energy generators were installed in southern

Chile, producing two megawatts to supply about 9,000

houses with electricity. Since then, more wind farms

have been deployed and others are set to be installed

in the future. Alongside this, two solar energy centres

will be installed in northern Chile with a capacity of

ten megawatts. These initiatives reveal the govern-

ment’s decision to increase the energy matrix using

non-conventional sources, proving its commitment to

mitigating the greenhouse effect, as well as adapting to

a drier climate with new energy sources not depend-

ent on water.

Other initiatives included in the National Action Plan

are to evaluate the possible distribution of marine species

and the impacts of future climate scenarios on inshore

and industrial fishing. The plan also takes into account

the impact and adaptation measurements needed in

relation to low coastal zones. In the health sector, evalu-

ations are needed on the new infrastructure and health

personnel required to face new and increased numbers

of diseases, as a consequence of climate change. Also,

vulnerable zones and exposed populations need to be

identified, and an environmental variables monitoring

system needs to be enforced so that information can be

given on the effect of climate change to health.

According to the Institute of Research Resources for

Sustainable Development, the main strengths Chile should

leverage in developing its adaptation policies are threefold.

Firstly, its geographical location – distinguished latitudi-

nal climate characteristics along the country, as well as

altitudinal west-east variation with a north-south central

valley, the coastal mountain chain and the Andes.

This

situation gives a large range of possibilities for adaptation.

Secondly, Chile’s economic factors are related to inter-

national agreements for importing and exporting goods,

and it has an economically and politically stable envi-

ronment. And lastly, Chile has a basic building capacity

and a good public/private relationship that will facilitate

future initiatives for adaptation. An example of this from

the private sector is the Agroclimate System Information

(www.agroclima.cl

) established by the Fruit Development

Foundation (Fundación de Desarrollo Frutícola). A good

public sector example is the National Weather Service

and the Agriculture Research Institute (Instituto de

Investigaciones Agropecuarias). Working together, these

three organizations aim to promote and develop scientific

and technological research that contributes to improv-

ing the overall quality and productivity of the agriculture

sector.

The role of the state is essential in developing public

policies and taking measures to protect the most vulner-

able sectors of society. But, in order for these measures

to work, integration of the private sector, parliament,

research centres and universities, and social organizations

is crucial. The National Action Plan for Climate Change is

a synergetic plan; many organizations have different roles

and responsibilities. They need to be able to provide infor-

mation and answers for policy-makers, so that in turn

they can best deal with risk by adaptation and mitigation

and work towards minimizing the residual impact.

Irrigation technology will be needed to improve current practices

Image: Gualterio Hugo