In the framework of the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the organization The Climate Reality Project Latin America carried out its first in-person training in Mexico City since 2018. The purpose is to strengthen fair, inclusive, and ambitious climate action in the region.
During the event, representatives from Mexico, Belém, Cape Town, Jakarta, Nadi, New Delhi, Tokyo, Vancouver, and Bacolod, Philippines, were highlighted, reaffirming the goal of training 50,000 new climate leaders by 2030.
An Innovative Training with Artificial Intelligence
The Distributed Training, held on April 5, incorporated an innovative format. It used Artificial Intelligence to break language barriers and translate the keynote address of former U.S. Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Al Gore, in record time.
Thanks to this technology, thousands of people were able to receive the same message simultaneously, increasing the event’s impact.
Furthermore, the event prioritized the participation of experts and regional spokespersons, with over 150 people from 23 states in Mexico addressing urgent topics such as:
- Climate justice and environmental equity.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
- Strategic litigation for environmental protection.
- Climate adaptation and financing.
Support from Key Organizations in the Region
The event also marked the beginning of collaboration with the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office (FIMA), a Chilean organization with over 25 years of experience in socio-environmental justice, and which has been hosting the office of The Climate Reality Project Latin America since 2024.
FIMA has been a key player in shaping policies, legislation, and access to environmental justice in Chile.
Arap Bethke and the Call to Climate Action
One of the highlights was the participation of actor and activist Arap Bethke, who presented Al Gore’s keynote and urged attendees to use their voice, vote, and decision to tackle the climate crisis.
Bethke also became a Climate Reality Leader, reaffirming his commitment to environmental action in Latin America.
Specialized Panels and Leaders in Action
Throughout the event, there were panels with key experts such as:
- José Luis Samaniego, Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development at SEMARNAT.
- Andrés Flores from the Mexican Climate Initiative.
The specialists discussed the role of NDCs, the importance of integrating social justice into climate policies, and emblematic cases of environmental litigation in Mexico and Chile. They also presented financing strategies for resilient communities.
A Global Commitment from Latin America
“The Paris Agreement turns 10 this 2025, and Latin America has the potential to take a leap in climate leadership. This training reinforces that commitment, from local to global levels,” stated Itzel Morales Lagunes, director of The Climate Reality Project Latin America.
The event received support from volunteers, strategic allies, and organizations who shared experiences and success stories.
Additionally, the participation of youth, women, and representatives from indigenous, rural, and LGBTQ+ communities was highlighted, emphasizing the importance of building a diverse network of climate leaders.
This gathering in Mexico adds to a series of distributed trainings globally, aiming to establish an informed, active, and prepared community to face the current and future climate challenges.
