Green Innovation in LATAM: A Conversation with Facundo Armas

Connected Conversations | June 27, 2025

What if Latin America was no longer viewed as a resource to extract - but as a wellspring of opportunity and innovation?

That’s the perspective championed by Facundo Armas, Sustainable Business Director at Globant, who joined us on the latest episode of Connected Conversations to explore how sustainability, technology, and grassroots leadership are reshaping the future of the region.

Facundo leads Globant’s Sustainable Business Studio across Latin America and the U.S., helping organizations embed sustainability into their core strategy through a blend of emerging tech, design thinking, and green transformation. His work touches everything from the Amazon rainforest to local NGOs in Buenos Aires, helping communities and corporations alike take meaningful climate action.

🌱 Reframing LATAM: From Resource to Opportunity

Facundo believes it's time to change the story around Latin America.

For too long, the region has been viewed primarily through the lens of extraction—natural resources, cheap labour, or outsourcing. But with the right investment in education, digital transformation, and climate-smart business, LATAM could become a global leader in sustainable innovation.

Facundo’s goal? To showcase how Latin American countries can set the tone for green growth, and how local voices and ideas can drive solutions for some of the world’s biggest challenges.

🤖 Sustainability Meets Technology

One of the most exciting parts of the conversation was learning how AI and data are being used to protect vulnerable ecosystems like the Amazon.

Facundo shared examples of projects where technology is deployed not just for efficiency, but for environmental resilience - from real-time monitoring of deforestation risks to enabling smarter resource management in remote areas.

At the heart of it all is a commitment to inclusive innovation: using cutting-edge tools to amplify local expertise, not replace it.

🤝 Partnering with Communities, Not Just Clients

Another core theme of the episode is community-first sustainability.

Facundo emphasizes the importance of working alongside local NGOs, educational institutions, and civic organisations to ensure that sustainability programs are rooted in real-world impact. This approach ensures that climate efforts are not just theoretical strategies but are co-created with the people they’re meant to serve.

He also shares how co-designing sustainability-focused courses at Universidad Austral is helping equip the next generation of business and policy leaders with the skills needed for a green economy.

💼 What Can Businesses Learn?

For global organisations, Facundo’s message is clear: Sustainability isn’t a department - it’s a mindset.

When embedded across every level of business—from product design to stakeholder partnerships—it becomes a driver of innovation and resilience. Companies operating in or with LATAM must think beyond carbon offsets or compliance and ask, “How are we empowering long-term, systemic change?”

Facundo’s work proves that purpose and performance can go hand in hand, especially when tech and humanity work together.

🔍 Key Takeaways from the Episode

Shift the narrative: Latin America is more than a resource - it's a hub of innovation and leadership.
Leverage AI for good: Technology can drive smart, scalable environmental solutions.
Empower local ecosystems: Community-led efforts and grassroots partnerships are key to lasting sustainability.
Educate for impact: Future leaders need interdisciplinary training that merges business, climate, and design.
Think long term: Sustainability strategy should be embedded, not bolted on.