13 Journalists Gather in Northeast Argentina for Net Zero Media Training Workshop
Latin America’s continued dependency on fossil fuel has locked countries into poor air and water quality, congested urban areas and degraded life-sustaining ecosystems across the region. Within the continent, Argentina is no exception; it has faced many obstacles to managing its resources sustainably and securing a post-extractive future, despite plentiful natural resources.
Argentina aims to reach net zero by 2050, however the country is still grappling with its use of fossil fuels, deforestation and pollution from the motor industry. The target itself has been rated as ‘poor’, having omitted many of the good practice elements outlined in Climate Action Tracker’s methodology.
Journalists can play a crucial role in this context, armed with the tools to hold government and big business to account and monitor progress toward decarbonization. Besides serving as a watchdog, the media ensures the public has factual, contextual and timely information about the energy policies that impact their health, livelihood and economic future.
Internews’ Earth Journalism Network’s Pathways to Net Zero project, established in 2022, aims to enhance journalists’ skills to report on net zero more effectively. As part of this project, 13 journalists were selected to attend a training workshop on net zero in Entre Rios Province in northeast Argentina, from April 4-6.
“We have brought together reporters from across the country to engage in lively discussions about covering the net zero transition in Argentina,” said Fermín Koop, who is managing the Pathways to Net Zero project in Argentina.
“The training focused on imparting the knowledge and tools they would need to practice climate data journalism and to deepen their understanding of theoretical topics such as the energy transition. Opportunities such as this are rare but very important in Argentina. By giving reporters support and tools for their daily work, we are boosting climate journalism in the country.”
On the first day of the workshop Enrique Maurtua Konstantinidis, climate politics expert and representative of the independent Global Stocktake (iGST) for Latin America and the Caribbean, guided the participants through the basics of net zero. He provided a sector-by-sector look at energy consumption to the key warnings and recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an organization which provides governments with regular and scientific assessments, allowing them to measure the impacts and risks of climate change.
On the second day, Martín Dapelo, a renewable energy consultant and member of CADER’s (Cámara Argentina de Energías Renovables) Board of Directors, gave participants an insightful window into the global renewable energy landscape and took a more granular look at Argentina’s energy market.
Participants also took part in discussions led by environmental journalist Pilar Assefh, the co-founder of Periodistas Por El Planeta, on how to combat climate mis and disinformation in Argentina. They learned about the role of sustainable architecture in building a less carbon- intensive world from Carolina Ganem, an architect, university lecturer and researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET).
In the afternoon, participants took a field trip to Isla Dolores, a protected island in the Río Uruguay — one of South America’s major rivers. Following trails along the islands’ beaches, participants learned about threats to the islands’ biodiversity and conservation initiatives led by the provincial government and NGO, Banco de Bosques.
Participants also had the opportunity to kayak a short distance along the 1,838 kilometer-long river. “During the field trip, we spent the day with local people who knew the fauna, flora and history of the area very well. We were able to access information about the projects that are already being developed in the area,” said Daniela Lopez, a workshop participant.
“The field trip allowed us to witness how local actions are often the answer to the great challenges of preserving the natural and cultural landscape,” she added.
On the third and final day of the workshop, participants were given information and tips on climate data journalism from Fermín Koop, while Enrique Maurtua Konstantinidis explained the history and importance of climate COPs (Conference of the Parties) and Argentina’s role in the process.
To wrap-up, participants and trainers took part in an open discussion and Q&A on the key workshop themes and potential story ideas to take forward in their reporting.
Workshop attendee, Jorgelina Hiba summarized her experience: “The workshop in Colonia Elía fulfilled all my expectations: receiving training along with top-level workshop participants, meeting and sharing experiences with colleagues from all over the country and direct contact with nature in a privileged region. A great opportunity, without any doubt!”
Banner image: Thirteen journalists gathered for the training workshop on net zero in Argentina / Credit: EJN.
