It is hard to imagine Latin America not being green. From its vast Amazon expanses and rolling wheat and soy fields, to its huge copper and gold reserves, all shades of green have typically been part of the region's landscape - both geographically and economically. But as harsh and apocalyptic this may sound, many experts already worry about the region's vast natural resources being depleted as a result of untethered growth - the type of which has made Latin America an economic success story in recent years.
This report Inclusive Green Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean argues that the region faces an uphill battle to sustain such growth rate over time without fully embracing "green" and "inclusive" policies across the board. In other words, policies able to provide affordable access and services to all communities and sectors of society.
Consider this as a challenge. Latin America has the largest urban population – more than 80 percent as well as the fastest growing motorisation rate in the world, both potential sources of environmental degradation if left to their own devices. About one third or 30 percent of the region's population are under 15. Urban concentration is a particularly huge challenge as 60 percent of the region's GDP comes from the largest 200 Latin American cities - meaning that any change in that subtle balance could affect the region's economies, notes the report.
The report concludes that despite these challenges, the region seems to be in good position to green up its act.