Argentina

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Policy Scores
Last updated 14 Feb 2022
Green COVID-19 Recovery
Argentina has had to grapple with the economic impact of COVID-19 falling amid a 3-year economic recession and debt crisis. With the country teetering on sovereign default and undergoing a multi-billion dollar debt renegotiation process, the government has relied on printing money and lowering interest rates to provide the necessary liquidity and leeway to finance stimulus. Despite these constraints, Argentina has approved more than USD$31 billion or 7.9% of GDP in stimulus to tackle the pandemic according to the IMF. Stimulus has been designed to protect workers and firms to try to prevent further shocks to the Argentinian economy. Measures such as cash-transfers and unemployment subsidies aim to support the country's large informal workforce, while price controls, loans and credit guarantees maintain business working capital.
Despite pledges to decarbonise, the Alberto Ferndez administration appears to be doubling down on fossil fuels as part of their recovery plan, adding more funds to the sector instead of implementing green stimulus. Measures adopted include Decree 488 which provides support for domestic oil producers by fixing oil prices, freezing internal taxes and cutting oil-export taxes, the introduction of a pandemic-related wealth tax increase with 25% of the proceeds financing gas exploration and extraction (worth an estimated USD$1 billion), and the launch of a national gas scheme which will subsidise extraction for the next 3 years (at a cost of USD$293 million). Green initiatives are few and isolated, but include a small (US$540,000) commitment to promote the use of solar energy technologies within the agro-fishery industry, and a new National Supplier Development Programme which will provide credit to renewable energy suppliers - albeit alongside support to fossil fuel energy suppliers.
Overall, Argentina appears to be on a backwards trajectory, maintaining and enhancing its dependency on fossil fuels to provide much-needed short term income. With oil's peak demand around the corner, a longer-term strategic vision for the transition of its energy sector is sorely needed. Yet there is room for hope, with Argentina's environment secretary successfully negotiating a 'Debt-for-Nature' swap with the United States, addressing USD$3.1 million or 8% of the debt owed in exchange for environmental protection initiatives which included forest conservation, development of a national seedbank, a moratorium on deforestation permits and the recognition of Indigenous Peoples territories.
Argentina has had to grapple with the economic impact of COVID-19 falling amid a 3-year economic recession and debt crisis. With the country teetering on sovereign default and undergoing a multi-billion dollar debt renegotiation process, the government has relied on printing money and lowering interest rates to provide the necessary liquidity and leeway to finance stimulus. Despite these constraints, Argentina has approved more than USD$31 billion or 7.9% of GDP in stimulus to tackle the pandemic according to the IMF. Stimulus has been designed to protect workers and firms to try to prevent further shocks to the Argentinian economy. Measures such as cash-transfers and unemployment subsidies aim to support the country's large informal workforce, while price controls, loans and credit guarantees maintain business working capital.
Despite pledges to decarbonise, the Alberto Ferndez administration appears to be doubling down on fossil fuels as part of their recovery plan, adding more funds to the sector instead of implementing green stimulus. Measures adopted include Decree 488 which provides support for domestic oil producers by fixing oil prices, freezing internal taxes and cutting oil-export taxes, the introduction of a pandemic-related wealth tax increase with 25% of the proceeds financing gas exploration and extraction (worth an estimated USD$1 billion), and the launch of a national gas scheme which will subsidise extraction for the next 3 years (at a cost of USD$293 million). Green initiatives are few and isolated, but include a small (US$540,000) commitment to promote the use of solar energy technologies within the agro-fishery industry, and a new National Supplier Development Programme which will provide credit to renewable energy suppliers - albeit alongside support to fossil fuel energy suppliers.
Overall, Argentina appears to be on a backwards trajectory, maintaining and enhancing its dependency on fossil fuels to provide much-needed short term income. With oil's peak demand around the corner, a longer-term strategic vision for the transition of its energy sector is sorely needed. Yet there is room for hope, with Argentina's environment secretary successfully negotiating a 'Debt-for-Nature' swap with the United States, addressing USD$3.1 million or 8% of the debt owed in exchange for environmental protection initiatives which included forest conservation, development of a national seedbank, a moratorium on deforestation permits and the recognition of Indigenous Peoples territories.
Governance
National green economy plan
The Argentinian Congress aproved in December 2019 a Law on minimum assumptions for adaptation and mitigation on Climate Change, this law contains general comitments with CO2 emissions reduction and adaptation to climate change. The National Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainable Development presented in November 2019 the first National Plan for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change that aims to advance in the fulfillment of the objectives assumed in the Paris Agreement, and the National Action Plans Sectorial Energy, Transport, Agriculture, Industry, Health, Infrastructure and Territory and Forests. However, these documents have a good caraterization of the problem, of the country risk, of the international standars even some measures on how to adapt but no clear policies/commitments on the mitigation side. Only a general commitment on the absolute goal assumed: "not to exceed the net emission of 483 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in the year 2030" Moreover, it is not clear if this Plan (and the sectorial plans) are still in place after the change of Goverment. Links in the website to the documents are not aliver anymore (they are only alive in cach. In relation to the long-term strategy to 2050, there are only plans to begin to work on it. Last but not least, it's important to take into account what the Climate Action Tracker sais: "On 10 December 2019, Alberto Ferndez was sworn in as the President of Argentina, replacing Mauricio Macri. The new government has mainly focused its policy efforts on addressing the economic crisis that pre-dates the pandemic but has been exacerbated by it, putting further climate policy developments into jeopardy. The recovery measures taken by the government as of June 2020 aim to protect the oil and gas industry from collapsing prices and demand, while green recovery measures remain largely absent in current proposals." "In July 2019, the Macri government declared a climate emergency followed by the Senate passing a Climate Change Law in December 2019. The law positioned the treatment of climate change as national policy, institutionalised the articulation of activities and responsibilities related to climate change, and established minimum financial budgets for its adequate management, including the design and implementation of mitigation and adaptation policies. Macri announced the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. However, the recent change in government brings uncertainty around the implementation of these policies."
The Argentinian Congress aproved in December 2019 a Law on minimum assumptions for adaptation and mitigation on Climate Change, this law contains general comitments with CO2 emissions reduction and adaptation to climate change. The National Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainable Development presented in November 2019 the first National Plan for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change that aims to advance in the fulfillment of the objectives assumed in the Paris Agreement, and the National Action Plans Sectorial Energy, Transport, Agriculture, Industry, Health, Infrastructure and Territory and Forests. However, these documents have a good caraterization of the problem, of the country risk, of the international standars even some measures on how to adapt but no clear policies/commitments on the mitigation side. Only a general commitment on the absolute goal assumed: "not to exceed the net emission of 483 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in the year 2030" Moreover, it is not clear if this Plan (and the sectorial plans) are still in place after the change of Goverment. Links in the website to the documents are not aliver anymore (they are only alive in cach. In relation to the long-term strategy to 2050, there are only plans to begin to work on it. Last but not least, it's important to take into account what the Climate Action Tracker sais: "On 10 December 2019, Alberto Ferndez was sworn in as the President of Argentina, replacing Mauricio Macri. The new government has mainly focused its policy efforts on addressing the economic crisis that pre-dates the pandemic but has been exacerbated by it, putting further climate policy developments into jeopardy. The recovery measures taken by the government as of June 2020 aim to protect the oil and gas industry from collapsing prices and demand, while green recovery measures remain largely absent in current proposals." "In July 2019, the Macri government declared a climate emergency followed by the Senate passing a Climate Change Law in December 2019. The law positioned the treatment of climate change as national policy, institutionalised the articulation of activities and responsibilities related to climate change, and established minimum financial budgets for its adequate management, including the design and implementation of mitigation and adaptation policies. Macri announced the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. However, the recent change in government brings uncertainty around the implementation of these policies."
Inclusive governance
Argentina has a public consultation mechanism in place, however, there is no evidence that these consultations are done in a sistematic way, the number of people participating in the processes is really small. On the other side, the gender perspective is included in the Open Government Plan and Argentina prepared the 2018 and 2019 budgets with a gender perspective. No indication of employee involvement in corporate governance in private sector.
Argentina has a public consultation mechanism in place, however, there is no evidence that these consultations are done in a sistematic way, the number of people participating in the processes is really small. On the other side, the gender perspective is included in the Open Government Plan and Argentina prepared the 2018 and 2019 budgets with a gender perspective. No indication of employee involvement in corporate governance in private sector.
SDG business strategy
The government carried out some activities with the private business sector to promote SDGs (page 50 of the VNR2020). These activities are very limited. Beside this, the Argentinian Global Compact network is very active, but no further guvermental initiatives for engaging the private sector on SDGs were found.
The government carried out some activities with the private business sector to promote SDGs (page 50 of the VNR2020). These activities are very limited. Beside this, the Argentinian Global Compact network is very active, but no further guvermental initiatives for engaging the private sector on SDGs were found.
Wealth accounting
No information about this was found.
No information about this was found.
Finance
Green finance plan
The National Securities Commission (CNV) of Argentina made available (January 2021) to the public the Guide for Socially Responsible Investment in the Argentinean Capital Market, the Guide for the Issuance of Social, Green and Sustainable Bonds and the Guide for External Evaluators of Social, Green and Sustainable Bonds. Morever, 20 Argentine banks signed a Sustainable Finance Protocol committing themselves to create financial products and services to finance projects with positive environmental and social impact and to optimize risk analysis systems with an environmental and social focus. However, none of this is a green financial reform from the government.
The National Securities Commission (CNV) of Argentina made available (January 2021) to the public the Guide for Socially Responsible Investment in the Argentinean Capital Market, the Guide for the Issuance of Social, Green and Sustainable Bonds and the Guide for External Evaluators of Social, Green and Sustainable Bonds. Morever, 20 Argentine banks signed a Sustainable Finance Protocol committing themselves to create financial products and services to finance projects with positive environmental and social impact and to optimize risk analysis systems with an environmental and social focus. However, none of this is a green financial reform from the government.
Green fiscal & monetary policy
The National Contracting Office, as the Governing Body of the Contracting System of the National Public Administration in Argentina, in cooperation with governmental and non-governmental entities, began to work on Sustainable Public Procurement in 2010. However, there is no evidence of a political commitment to public purchase with sustainability criteria. There are no more evidence of fiscal meassures beyond the carbon tax explained in the "pricing carbon" section.
The National Contracting Office, as the Governing Body of the Contracting System of the National Public Administration in Argentina, in cooperation with governmental and non-governmental entities, began to work on Sustainable Public Procurement in 2010. However, there is no evidence of a political commitment to public purchase with sustainability criteria. There are no more evidence of fiscal meassures beyond the carbon tax explained in the "pricing carbon" section.
Safe & accountable banks
The Central Bank of the Argentine Republic prepared in 2018 a document to guide the development of stress tests in the financial system. This guide does not incorporate environmental or social issues. The implementation of the stress tests and the choice of the methodology are left to the financial institutions.
The Central Bank of the Argentine Republic prepared in 2018 a document to guide the development of stress tests in the financial system. This guide does not incorporate environmental or social issues. The implementation of the stress tests and the choice of the methodology are left to the financial institutions.
Pricing carbon
In 2017, Argentina passed Law 27,430 on Tax Reform, which introduced the carbon tax into the national tax system. As for Trading schemes: Argentina has registered 46 projects under the UNFCCC CDM (Clean Development Mecanism), 18 of which have issued Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) reaching around 16 billion CERs. Argentine companies have also participated in voluntary markets, registering 6 projects in the Verified Carbon Standard, of which 5 have issued bonds.
In 2017, Argentina passed Law 27,430 on Tax Reform, which introduced the carbon tax into the national tax system. As for Trading schemes: Argentina has registered 46 projects under the UNFCCC CDM (Clean Development Mecanism), 18 of which have issued Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) reaching around 16 billion CERs. Argentine companies have also participated in voluntary markets, registering 6 projects in the Verified Carbon Standard, of which 5 have issued bonds.
Sectors
Green sectoral policy plan
The GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT approved in 2019 Resolution 447/2019, which prepared the National Plan for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change. The purpose of this Plan was to advance in the fulfillment of the objectives assumed in the Paris Agreement, and included the National Sectoral Action Plans in the sectors of Energy, Transport, Agro, Industry, Health, Infrastructure and Territory and Forests. All of them annexes to the Resolution itself. Sector plans are dynamic and constantly evolving documents. The sector plans contain the climate change strategy of each government agency, according to its competence. They also contain the roadmaps for each of the mitigation and adaptation measures contemplated in the plans. However, the recent change in government brings uncertainty around the implementation of these policies.
The GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT approved in 2019 Resolution 447/2019, which prepared the National Plan for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change. The purpose of this Plan was to advance in the fulfillment of the objectives assumed in the Paris Agreement, and included the National Sectoral Action Plans in the sectors of Energy, Transport, Agro, Industry, Health, Infrastructure and Territory and Forests. All of them annexes to the Resolution itself. Sector plans are dynamic and constantly evolving documents. The sector plans contain the climate change strategy of each government agency, according to its competence. They also contain the roadmaps for each of the mitigation and adaptation measures contemplated in the plans. However, the recent change in government brings uncertainty around the implementation of these policies.
Small business support
Argentina has a National Institute of Associativism and Social Economy (INAES) under the Ministry of Productive Development whose mission is to train and advise cooperatives and small businesses. There are some intitatives linked to the adoption of green business models but not in a systematic way. In 2019, the National Government, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Foreign Trade and Investment Bank (BICE) agreed to a loan for USD 160 million destined to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for small and medium-sized companies. Moreover, the Government of Argentina has a program that gives access to advice for people who have a solution for a social, environmental or economic problem or enterprises that have up to 4 years of activity that solve a social, environmental or economic problem.
Argentina has a National Institute of Associativism and Social Economy (INAES) under the Ministry of Productive Development whose mission is to train and advise cooperatives and small businesses. There are some intitatives linked to the adoption of green business models but not in a systematic way. In 2019, the National Government, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Foreign Trade and Investment Bank (BICE) agreed to a loan for USD 160 million destined to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for small and medium-sized companies. Moreover, the Government of Argentina has a program that gives access to advice for people who have a solution for a social, environmental or economic problem or enterprises that have up to 4 years of activity that solve a social, environmental or economic problem.
Carbon budgeting
Argentinas NDC, submitted in 2016, includes two absolute emissions reduction targets for 2030: the unconditional target limits emissions to 483 MtCO2e in 2030 including LULUCF ; the conditional target, including LULUCF, limits emissions to 369 MtCO2e in 2030. However, there is no evidence of evidence of any budgeting proposal under discussion. Argentina has centred its energy sector strategy around the exploitation of abundant gas reserves in the Vaca Muerta formation as a source of cheap oil and gas for national consumption and exports
Argentinas NDC, submitted in 2016, includes two absolute emissions reduction targets for 2030: the unconditional target limits emissions to 483 MtCO2e in 2030 including LULUCF ; the conditional target, including LULUCF, limits emissions to 369 MtCO2e in 2030. However, there is no evidence of evidence of any budgeting proposal under discussion. Argentina has centred its energy sector strategy around the exploitation of abundant gas reserves in the Vaca Muerta formation as a source of cheap oil and gas for national consumption and exports
Clean energy policy
The Argentine government has a Program for the supply of electricity from renewable sources: RenovAr. The Sub-Secretariat of Energy Planning in 2019, assume an increase of Argentinas renewable energy capacity of 1218 GW by 2030, compared to only 4.7 GW that has been contracted under the renewable auctioning scheme RenovAr as of June 2020.
The Argentine government has a Program for the supply of electricity from renewable sources: RenovAr. The Sub-Secretariat of Energy Planning in 2019, assume an increase of Argentinas renewable energy capacity of 1218 GW by 2030, compared to only 4.7 GW that has been contracted under the renewable auctioning scheme RenovAr as of June 2020.
People
Green jobs
In April 2021, the "Promote Green Employment" program was presented. This program is a line of the "Work Enhancement Program" of the Ministry of Social Development that turns social plans into active work. It aims to finance productive initiatives adapted to sustainable practices. Likewise, it seeks to generate new jobs that contribute to the environment and sustainable development. However, it is not clear the scope of the program, it seems to be a municipal program to be extended to others. Moreover, the Government has developed a "detection of training needs in green employment" initiative. In the National Plan for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change there is an identification of employement as one of the problems to deal with in the transition. However there is no specific meassures to put in place.
In April 2021, the "Promote Green Employment" program was presented. This program is a line of the "Work Enhancement Program" of the Ministry of Social Development that turns social plans into active work. It aims to finance productive initiatives adapted to sustainable practices. Likewise, it seeks to generate new jobs that contribute to the environment and sustainable development. However, it is not clear the scope of the program, it seems to be a municipal program to be extended to others. Moreover, the Government has developed a "detection of training needs in green employment" initiative. In the National Plan for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change there is an identification of employement as one of the problems to deal with in the transition. However there is no specific meassures to put in place.
Pro-poor policy
Argentina has programs to combat poverty and inequalities but no actions have been found that contemplate that vulnerable populations will have a "green transition".
Argentina has programs to combat poverty and inequalities but no actions have been found that contemplate that vulnerable populations will have a "green transition".
Participatory policymaking
The government of Argentina has a system for the "Participatory Elaboration of Norms". It also has an Open Government system with a section for Citizen Participation. However there is no evidence of consultation with local communities and marginalised groups at all.
The government of Argentina has a system for the "Participatory Elaboration of Norms". It also has an Open Government system with a section for Citizen Participation. However there is no evidence of consultation with local communities and marginalised groups at all.
Innovative social protection
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Argentina created the "Emergency Family Income": a social insurance that was given to informal workers. It consisted of a bond of 10,000 Argentine pesos. Since 2009, Argentina has a "Universal Child Allowance" a monthly allowance for each child under 18 years of age. It is charged by only one of the parents prioritizing the mother. However, there is no a clear strategic approach.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Argentina created the "Emergency Family Income": a social insurance that was given to informal workers. It consisted of a bond of 10,000 Argentine pesos. Since 2009, Argentina has a "Universal Child Allowance" a monthly allowance for each child under 18 years of age. It is charged by only one of the parents prioritizing the mother. However, there is no a clear strategic approach.
Nature
Ocean & land conservation
In the 2020 VNR the government of Argentina explains its strategy to achieve SDG 14 and 15, however it only contains some targets, the rest remain outstanding. Argentina also has a National Biodiversity Strategy however it ended in 2020 and no actualization was found. The government also has a website with thosough information on conservation strategies however, again, no clear targets were found.
In the 2020 VNR the government of Argentina explains its strategy to achieve SDG 14 and 15, however it only contains some targets, the rest remain outstanding. Argentina also has a National Biodiversity Strategy however it ended in 2020 and no actualization was found. The government also has a website with thosough information on conservation strategies however, again, no clear targets were found.
Natural capital accounts
There is some discussion around the concept but there is nothing that indicates that Argentina will develop a program in this regard in the coming years.
There is some discussion around the concept but there is nothing that indicates that Argentina will develop a program in this regard in the coming years.
Natural capital committee
There is no information publicly available about the creation of such a body.
There is no information publicly available about the creation of such a body.
Nature-based fiscal reform
In January 2018, Argentina implemented a carbon tax covering most liquid and solid fuels sold in Argentina, based on a price of 10 USD/tCO2e. In January 2019, the tax also became operational for fuel oil, mineral coal, and petroleum coke, at 10% of the full tax rate, with an annual increase of 10 percentage points until reaching 100% in 2028. The tax is estimated to cover 20% of the countrys GHG emissions. Natural gas is exempted from the tax, as is CNG and fuel consumption in international aviation and shipping, as well as the export of these fuels.
In January 2018, Argentina implemented a carbon tax covering most liquid and solid fuels sold in Argentina, based on a price of 10 USD/tCO2e. In January 2019, the tax also became operational for fuel oil, mineral coal, and petroleum coke, at 10% of the full tax rate, with an annual increase of 10 percentage points until reaching 100% in 2028. The tax is estimated to cover 20% of the countrys GHG emissions. Natural gas is exempted from the tax, as is CNG and fuel consumption in international aviation and shipping, as well as the export of these fuels.