GEF 5: Elba Viviana Caro Hinojosa, Minister, Ministry of Development Planning, Bolivia

GEF 5: Elba Viviana Caro Hinojosa, Minister, Ministry of Development Planning, Bolivia

Elba Viviana Caro Hinojosa, Minister, Ministry of Development Planning, Bolivia talks about the environmental challenges facing Bolivia and what the country is doing to address these challenges.

She says land degradation and climate change are the biggest threats to Bolivia which have both affected the livelihoods of Bolivia’s population.

She says a challenge that remains for the Bolivian government is over how to strike a balance between growth and generating ways to be more resilient to climate change.

Hinojosa says the IPCC’s set of reports has assisted Bolivia’s efforts to address this challenge by providing information about climate change that the South American country is lacking.

On the topic of the 2015 climate change deal in Paris, Hinojosa says Bolivia is pushing for strong Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because the country believes development and sustainability are both essential for the future. She adds the importance of food and water sustainability will both be necessary to combat poverty.

Hinojosa concludes by saying Bolivia is endeavouring to change its energy matrix by moving towards alternative energy and away from fossil fuels.