A Social compromise for the Anthropocene? Elite reactions to the Escazú Agreement and the prospects for a Latin American transformative green state

Abstract

The world is urgently facing the need for a “green transformation”, involving not only a transition towards the use renewable energy and reduction of biodiversity loss, but a deep social change towards social justice and sustainability. Such action requires social compromises between elites and popular sectors that allow the building of strong institutions to implement changes. Latin America is faced with huge tasks to increase equality, justice and sustainability, but it also plays a pivotal role in the global green transformation. The region is further characterized by both strong elites, strong socio-environmental movements and deep environmental conflicts making social compromises difficult. This Working Paper discusses elite reactions to the most advanced regional agreement on environmental regulation and conflict resolution, the Escazù Agreement. In many countries, elites opposed it vehemently referring to national sovereignty, but particularly rejecting the institutional implications of the agreement involving a stronger compromise to allow popular participation. This was opposed by economic elites in democratic countries (Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru) as well as governmental elites in authoritarian countries (El Salvador and Venezuela). However, in various cases, elite opposition was overcome after popular mobilization and dialogue. The paper discusses what we can learn from elite reactions to the Escazú Agreement of importance for future social compromises as a basis for the emergence for transformative states in Latin America.