Greta Jimenez
Argentina has been taking steps to address its environmental issues, including pollution and climate change. In 2020, the country pledged to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 4.6% by 2030, with a plan that includes 250 public policy measures and prioritises the use of natural gas as a transition fuel. The cost of implementing this plan is estimated to be more than US$185 billion, a significant sum for a country with a foreign debt of US$271 billion. Argentina has also been working to reduce black carbon from heavy-duty diesel vehicles, improve water management, and increase renewable energy projects. However, as of 2022, Argentina's emissions have rebounded above 2019 levels, and its climate policies have been rated as Critically Insufficient in terms of meeting the Paris Agreement's temperature goals.
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What You'll Learn
Spending on renewable energy projects
Argentina has been taking steps to reduce its carbon emissions and combat pollution. The country's "Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan" includes 250 public policy measures to be implemented by 2030, with a focus on prioritising natural gas as a transition fuel, lowering emissions in agriculture and livestock activity, and improving water management. The plan also aims to replace 22% of urban buses with electric buses and incorporate more CNG and LNG buses for long-distance transport.
To achieve these goals, the Argentine government estimates that the public sector will need to invest more than US$185 billion, which is a significant challenge given the country's foreign debt and fiscal restraints. However, the government has recognised the importance of addressing the climate crisis and has explored options such as debt-for-climate action swaps to meet environmental targets.
One of the key programmes driving Argentina's increase in renewable energy is the RenovAr Auction Programme, launched by the Ministry of Energy and Mining. This programme provides a financial safety net for renewable energy projects, encouraging their development and adoption. Additionally, Argentina has established a National Cabinet of Climate Change and created national climate change action plans in various sectors, including forestry, energy, and transport.
In its 2022 climate strategy, the Argentine government set targets for biofuels, aiming to increase bioethanol blending and meet a portion of total fuel demand with biofuels by 2030. The government also plans to support second-generation biofuels and utilise organic waste for biofuel production. However, there has been a mandate to reduce biodiesel blending, which may lead to a cumulative increase in emissions.
Despite these efforts, Argentina's climate policies have been rated as "Critically Insufficient" when compared to modelled domestic emissions pathways and the Paris Agreement's temperature limit. To align with the 1.5°C target, Argentina needs to develop more ambitious policies, particularly regarding deforestation and reducing livestock-related emissions. This includes increasing the efficiency of livestock production, reducing synthetic fertiliser use, improving waste management, and reducing deforestation and forest burning.
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Spending on reducing emissions
Argentina has been taking several measures to reduce emissions. In 2012, Argentina joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and has since worked with CCAC partners to reduce black carbon from heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines. In 2016, the country established a National Cabinet of Climate Change to help drive down emissions in line with its Paris Agreement commitments.
In 2020, Argentina pledged not to exceed 349 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2030 – a 4.6% reduction on emissions recorded in 2018. The country’s new “Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan” includes 250 public policy measures to be implemented by 2030 and prioritises natural gas as a transition fuel. The plan also aims to replace 22% (8,847 units) of urban buses with electric buses by 2030 and to incorporate more than 7,000 CNG buses into the regular urban fleet. For long-distance passenger transport, almost 4,000 CNG buses and around 2,750 LNG (liquefied natural gas) buses will be incorporated. The plan also mentions measures to strengthen the railway system and to improve the energy and environmental performance of ships. The energy sector, excluding transport, contributes 37% of Argentina’s emissions. To reduce these, the plan proposes the use of natural gas as a priority.
The 2019 National Agriculture and Climate Change Action Plan details Argentina’s actions towards a target of reducing greenhouse gases in the sector, the second largest emitter in the country, by 25.75 Mt CO2e by 2030. The main measures identified for emission reductions are carbon sequestration through agroforestry, growing more efficient crops, and converting agricultural waste and biomass into energy.
In its 2022 climate strategy, the government included biofuels targets: to increase bioethanol blending to 15% in 2025, and to meet 20% of total fuel demand with biofuels by 2030. The government also plans to support second-generation biofuels and aims for 2 Mt of organic waste to be used for biofuels by 2028.
The cost of implementing the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan is estimated to be more than US$185 billion, equivalent to 40% of Argentina’s GDP in 2021. This represents a major challenge for the country, which has a foreign debt of US$271 billion (56% of its GDP) and must reduce its public spending as part of its agreement with the International Monetary Fund. The Argentine government has called for the development of debt-for-climate action swaps, which would allow it to meet environmental targets in exchange for reduced debt payments.
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Spending on waste management
Argentina has been facing a variety of environmental issues, including deteriorating urban air quality, polluted waterways, deforestation, and inefficient use of non-renewable resources. In 2020, the country pledged not to exceed 349 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2030, a 4.6% reduction from 2018 levels. To achieve this target, Argentina has developed a “Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan”, which includes 250 public policy measures to be implemented by 2030. This plan is estimated to cost more than $185 billion, equivalent to 40% of Argentina's GDP in 2021.
One of the key components of Argentina's plan to reduce carbon emissions is the transition to natural gas as a priority fuel source. The country aims to gasify energy consumption currently supplied by liquid fuels derived from petroleum. This includes the development of Vaca Muerta, one of the largest unconventional hydrocarbon deposits in the world, located in Neuquén province, northwest Patagonia. Additionally, Argentina plans to replace 22% of urban buses with electric buses and incorporate more than 7,000 CNG and LNG buses into the public transport fleet by 2030.
To address the issue of polluted waterways, Argentina has been working on improving water management. The country has also established a National Cabinet of Climate Change to drive down emissions and develop national climate change action plans in the forestry, energy, and transport sectors. In 2019, Argentina introduced the National Agriculture and Climate Change Action Plan, targeting a reduction of 25.75 Mt CO2e in the agriculture sector by 2030 through measures such as carbon sequestration and the conversion of agricultural waste into energy.
Furthermore, Argentina has been promoting the use of renewable energy sources. The Ministry of Energy and Mining launched the RenovAr Auction Programme to provide financial support for renewable energy projects, contributing to the country's increase in renewable energy adoption. Argentina has also set biofuel targets in its 2022 climate strategy, aiming to increase bioethanol blending and meet a portion of total fuel demand with biofuels by 2030.
In addition to these initiatives, Argentina has been working on waste management strategies. The country's 2005-2025 National Strategy of Solid Waste Management (ENGIRSU) aims to establish an integrated waste management system to improve public health and mitigate the environmental impact of landfills. This program has received funding from international organizations to pilot projects such as building biogas systems in municipalities.
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Spending on water sanitation
While I could not find specific figures for how much Argentina spends on pollution, I did find information on the country's spending on water sanitation.
Water and sanitation services in Argentina are provided by a mix of state-owned companies and private sector utilities. Between 1991 and 1999, as part of a large privatisation program, water and sanitation concessions with the private sector were signed, covering 28% of the country's municipalities and 60% of the population. The most notable concession was granted to a consortium led by the French firm Suez for the central parts of Greater Buenos Aires in 1993. However, after the 2001 economic crisis, many of these concessions were terminated or renegotiated, including the one in Buenos Aires in 2006.
The impact of private sector participation in water and sanitation remains a controversial topic in Argentina. While public perception of mostly international concessionaires is negative, some studies have shown positive impacts, such as a reduction in child mortality rates. A 2002 study found that child mortality fell by 5 to 7 percent more in areas that privatised their water and sanitation services compared to those that retained public or cooperative management. This impact was even more significant in the poorest areas, with a 24% reduction in child mortality. The authors attributed this to the massive expansion of access to water, particularly in poorer areas that previously lacked these services.
However, in the absence of a comprehensive assessment, it is challenging to conclude the overall impact of privatisation. The public water utility, Obras Sanitarias de la Nación (OSN), still plays a crucial role in providing water and sewer services in the country's main cities, including Buenos Aires.
The Argentine government has recognised the need to improve water and sanitation access, especially for vulnerable populations. and has undertaken projects to achieve this. For example, the Buenos Aires Water Supply and Sanitation for Vulnerable Areas Program aims to provide drinking water and sanitation networks to 140,000 people and improve sewage treatment in 20 suburban municipalities and Buenos Aires. This program is financed with a variable-spread loan that supports results-based management. Additionally, the government is working on tariff revisions and subsidy schemes to better target vulnerable groups while incentivising service expansion and improvements.
The World Bank is also supporting the Argentine government's efforts to strengthen water supply and sanitation service delivery and regulatory frameworks through various projects and activities. These initiatives aim to enhance policies, institutions, and regulations to create incentives for sustainable universal access to water and sanitation services.
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Spending on reducing air pollution
Argentina has implemented various measures to reduce air pollution and mitigate the effects of climate change. The country has committed to reducing its carbon emissions and improving its energy and agricultural sectors.
In 2020, Argentina pledged not to exceed 349 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) by 2030, representing a 4.6% reduction in emissions from 2018 levels. To achieve this, Argentina introduced its "Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan," which includes 250 public policy measures to be implemented by 2030. This plan prioritises the use of natural gas as a transition fuel and aims to replace 22% of urban buses with electric buses by 2030, incorporating more than 7,000 CNG buses. The plan also focuses on improving water management and reducing emissions in the agricultural and livestock sectors.
The cost of implementing this plan is estimated to be more than US$185 billion, which is equivalent to 40% of Argentina's GDP in 2021. However, the country faces fiscal challenges due to its foreign debt of US$271 billion. To address this, the Argentine government has proposed debt-for-climate action swaps, allowing the country to meet environmental targets in exchange for reduced debt payments.
Argentina has also established a National Cabinet of Climate Change and joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to drive down emissions in line with its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The country has set biofuel targets, aiming to increase bioethanol blending to 15% by 2025 and meet 20% of total fuel demand with biofuels by 2030. Additionally, Argentina has implemented the RenovAr Auction Programme to provide financial support for renewable energy projects, contributing to the country's increasing renewable energy capacity.
While Argentina has made efforts to reduce air pollution, its current policies and actions have been rated as "Critically insufficient" when compared to modelled domestic emissions pathways. To align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature limit, Argentina needs to accelerate its progress and develop more ambitious policies, particularly regarding deforestation and livestock-related emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Argentina has pledged to spend over $185 billion to reduce carbon emissions, which is equivalent to 40% of the country's GDP in 2021.
Argentina's "Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan" includes 250 public policy measures to be implemented by 2030. The plan includes replacing 22% of urban buses with electric buses, incorporating more than 7,000 CNG buses into the regular urban fleet, and strengthening the railway system. The plan also calls for lower emissions in agriculture and livestock activity, and focuses on improving water management.
Argentina joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) in 2018 and has since worked to reduce black carbon from heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines. The country also launched the RenovAr Auction Programme to provide a financial safety net for renewable energy projects, and the PROBIOMASA programme to increase the use of biomass energy.
In 2020, Argentina pledged not to exceed 349 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2030, which represents a 4.6% reduction in emissions compared to 2018 levels. However, in 2022, emissions in Argentina rebounded above 2019 levels, putting the country's emissions projections at approximately 15% above its 2030 target.
