CDKN Latin America has released a new animation showing the benefits of low emissions development for societies. The colourful film sketches how global warming, caused largely by the emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities, has increased.

Average temperatures are rising very quickly and this is impacting ecosystems, health, water and energy, particularly in developing countries, which are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. According to the experts, if the world does not take action to confront climate change, the temperature of the planet is likely to increase by 2°C by 2050 compared to the latter half of the 19th century. And, if we continue polluting at today’s rates, the world could heat by more than 4 degrees by the end of the 21st century.

Faced with this, the world will have to resort to ever more sophisticated and costly measures to confront the effects of climate change. It’s essential to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and, in order to do that, countries will have to rapidly adapt to available technologies that can give us the lighting, heating, transport, food and other services we need, in a climate-friendly way. This will allow countries to tackle climate change and meet their development needs, while ensuring a liveable world for future generations.

Low emissions development strives to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and ensure a climate compatible and resilient development. At the same time, it contributes to a country’s development objectives and priorities. Low emissions development is a people-centred and planet-friendly development.

Watch the animation to find out more about the many social and economic benefits of low-emissions development – and just as importantly, share it with your friends and colleagues!