From 2013 to 2016, the project “Renewable Energy and Climate Science in the Americas (RECS)” also implemented under ECPA, trained 589 officials and at least 30 institutions on the importance of measurements capabilities to respond to the technical needs arising with the implementation of actions aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy uses and efficiency and monitor air quality.

RECS outcomes suggest that bigger efforts need to be done to address the region’s lack of adequate measurement capabilities for air quality and GHGs, to assess the quality and efficiency of renewable energy technologies, and to achieve regional cooperation for energy-efficiency standards harmonization. Similarly, more work needs to be done to engage high-level officials in understanding the valuable role of metrology in developing sound climate and energy policies.

Being RECS a starting point, and taking into account that metrology needs are different according to each sub-region, the implementation of a second phase of “Advancing Metrology for Sustainable Energy Technologies and Climate Science in the Western Hemisphere” and a second project “Advancing Metrology for Energy Efficient Measurements and Compliance in Central America and Dominican Republic”, a sub-regional initiative exclusively focused on energy efficiency for appliances and equipment.

The projects will be implemented by the OAS Department of Sustainable Development and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).