Latin American environmental monitoring and green economy potential

In Colombia's Chocó region, satellite monitoring has become a vital tool for protecting biodiversity and managing forest cover. Due to the territory's difficult access and the presence of both legal and illegal economic activities, organizations such as IDEAM, the Forest and Carbon Monitoring System (SMByC), CODECHOCÓ, and Global Forest Watch utilize satellite imagery to identify changes in forest cover and generate early warnings for authorities and researchers.

Separately, the IV Latin American Green Economy Forum held in São Paulo highlighted the region's potential to lead the global energy transition. Experts noted that geopolitical instability and high oil prices create opportunities for Latin America to leverage its reserves of critical minerals and rare earth elements. However, participants emphasized that the region must navigate complex relations between major powers like the United States and China while addressing climate challenges, such as the intensifying El Niño phenomenon, to ensure energy security and technological access.