Comment 
Share 
Environment in Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America and the Caribbean, home to some of the world’s most pristine and diverse ecosystems, depend heavily on natural resources to generate economic growth.
The challenge for this region is to reconcile the demands of growth with the need to protect and manage its habitats and resources in order to achieve sustainable development, while facing global environmental threats such as climate change.
The IDB helps member countries address these challenges by financing activities to improve the management of protected areas, generate income opportunities for communities that depend on ecosystem services, manage coastal and marine resources, and support climate change and disaster risk management initiatives in critical watersheds.
We also ensure that every project we finance includes rigorous social and environmental safeguards and sustainability measures.
Areas of work
Sustainability
Sustainability at the IDB means promoting economic growth and poverty reduction that ensure lasting environmental social and economic benefits.
Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management
Climate change poses a fundamental threat to economic and social development around the globe.
Natural resources and cultural heritage
Protected areas, national parks and marine reserves comprise some of the most valuable natural assets of Latin American and Caribbean countries.
By the numbers
100 million
About 100 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean are exposed to air pollution levels exceeding World Health Organization guidelines.
News
-
IDB’s MIF supports biomass project in northern Brazil
Waste mangement project to use acai pits as a raw materials for bioenergy production in Brazil. Feb 8, 2012
-
ProCredit gets $2 million IDB loan to finance communal water projects in El Salvador
IDB to help expand and improve communal water services throughout El Salvador. Jan 27, 2012
Projects Highlights
Preparation
Approved
- Regional. Development and Strengthening of Official Environmental Statistics. Dec 8, 2011
- Colombia. Design of the new Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS). Nov 29, 2011
- Panama. Program to Reduce Vulnerability to Natural Disasters and Climate Change I. Oct 3, 2011
- Bahamas. Emergency Assistance: Hurricane Irene. Sep 20, 2011
- Chile. Renovarum Renewable Energy Fund. Aug 31, 2011
- IDEAS 2011: Energy Innovation Contest (00:30)
- Health in Chiapas, Mexico (5:36)
- Peru's Green Agenda (03:56)
Loading
