Hispanic Access Foundation will attend and participate in COP28 to showcase Latino advocacy on climate change and elevate Hispanic Access’ climate advocacy goals. They will also be releasing a report on Latino heritage at risk from climate change and highlighting Latino leadership in climate action by speaking on panels and to decision-makers.

“Latinos’ needs, voice, and conservation efforts must be represented at a local, regional, national, and international level,” said Maite Arce, president and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. “With our nation’s shifting demographics, Latinos are on track to become 30 percent of the U.S. population by 2050. They need to be represented and be part of the conversation at COP28, where representatives from countries around the world come together to discuss and coordinate efforts to address climate change.”

Latino communities across the United States experience disproportionate health and economic impacts of poor air quality, extreme heat and aridification, wildfires, droughts, storms, and other severe effects of the climate crisis. Latinos live where the air is 14 percent more polluted, 44 percent of them live in high flood-risk counties, and in general, they live in nature-deprived communities where parks are half as large, they have less access to green and blue spaces, and they experience the nature gap.  

"Latinos have played a crucial role in significant climate change mitigation efforts across the U.S., contributing to a global legacy," said Natalie De La Torre Salas, a member of the Latino Climate Council Network. "As we celebrate their impact, I am hopeful that by harnessing their deep-rooted appreciation for nature, passion, and resilience ingrained in their culture, and by elevating and empowering them through increased knowledge, solution strategies, and partnerships cultivated at COP28, we can amplify their contributions not only globally but also in safeguarding the rich heritage of Latino communities in the United States against the threats posed by climate change."

COP28 is a crucial opportunity for leaders from governments, businesses, NGOs, and civil society to come together and address the urgent challenges posed by climate change. With the Paris Agreement as a focal point, the conference aims to assess progress and establish a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions, protect lives, and ensure the sustainability of our planet.