During two side-events of COP17, the EUROCLIMA programme presented its objectives and its progress during 2010-2011. After an overview of the programme by the Regional Programmes Unit Latin America and the Caribbean - EuropeAid, the Technical Assistance presented the latest e-Newsletter dedicated to the theme of Water and Climate Change in Latin America.

Fredy Génez in representation of the national Focal Point of the programme from Paraguay explained how the exchange of experiences during regional meetings organized by EUROCLIMA this year, have helped Paraguay guide the process of formulation of its own National Policy of Climate Change. Most of the morning session was dedicated to the Joint Research Center (JRC) of the EC, that discussed with the audience its preliminary results on research and training in the field of Climate Change (Soils, Water, Agriculture, Desertification and Drought, and Bioenergy and Biofuels).

During Q&A a replication in Africa of the EUROCLIMA approach in linking science and policy was suggested by a representative of the African Union.

In the afternoon, after an introduction by EuropeAid/G/2, the Technical Assistance presented the communication strategy of the Programme: website, e-newsletters, virtual training courses, thematic studies, and regional meetings. The Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources of El Salvador and pro tempore president of the CCAD, Dr. Herman Rosa Chávez, illustrated the growing frequency of weather related disasters in his country, and emphasized the importance of socioeconomic information to convince policy-makers of the need for urgent action and the financial and social consequences of inaction in the face of Climate Change.

Following his intervention, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) of the UN, presented the results obtained within the EUROCLIMA programme on social and economic impacts of Climate Change: research, training and the establishment of a network of socioeconomic climate change experts, that functions as information exchange platform.

ECLAC gave an overview of the key facts and figures resulting from their research. Specific information on the Economy of Climate Change in Central America was presented, as well as the resulting policy implications: A comparison of scenarios of rising temperatures showed the serious impacts on biodiversity, access to water, agricultural productivity, food security and poverty, resulting of insufficient mitigation actions.

There is sufficient opportunity in Central America for green fiscal policies, and strategies towards low carbon economies. During Q&A, a representative of indigenous groups from Mexico emphasized the importance of action for safeguarding their livelihoods and showed an interest in participating in the EUROCLIMA programme. Other questions: whether Climate Change will be a key issue during next year's EU-LAC Summit, gender considerations and horizontal dialogues.