Latin America is doing a lot of things right on the energy front, both in terms of policy and technology, according to David L. Goldwyn, Chairman of the Energy Advisory Board at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center. But often it’s the “last mile” that’s the most difficult, he said, as countries that have already […]
The Paris Agreement, adopted two years ago this month, laid the foundation for the world to tackle the “urgent threat” of climate change. Recently, representatives of several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean participated in a workshop in Argentina to assess how they’re doing so far and what steps they can take to bridge […]
Belize is on a “fast pace” to produce more electric power from renewable sources, as part of a strategy to bolster its energy independence and ensure that everyone in the country has access to electricity. The head of the country’s Ministry of Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities, Frank Mena, sat down for an interview […]
Building Resilience in the Face of Disaster The names are all too familiar by now: Harvey. Irma. Maria. Nate. This year’s list of tropical storm systems strong enough to get a name started with Arlene in April and barreled on through Rina in early November. The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on November 30, […]
VIÑA DEL MAR, Chile—Meeting here to discuss the “Energy Transition in the Americas,” energy ministers and other high-level officials from 24 countries in the region reaffirmed that they share “a common path” toward cleaner energy, as Chilean President Michelle Bachelet put it. That message was always going to be central to the Third Ministerial Meeting […]
VIÑA DEL MAR, Chile—After announcing that her country will host the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), Jamaican Ambassador Audrey Marks spoke in an interview about the importance of energy issues to the Caribbean region. “We are determined as a country and as a region to get to […]
VIÑA DEL MAR, Chile—For a window into the region’s energy diversity, look no further than the working sessions held during the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA). Delegations from the 25 countries represented talked about a wide range of energy-related challenges and opportunities they are facing, from the […]
One of ECPA’s greatest achievements lies with its ability to build strategic partnerships with diverse institutions as a means to expand the Partnership’s reach. By joining forces with local, regional and international partners with common interests and objectives, ECPA was able to use its resources more effectively in promoting dialogue, knowledge sharing, and best practices […]
For almost a decade, the Department of Sustainable Development of the Organization of American States has managed several projects under the ECPA umbrella to support national and regional energy priorities in energy efficiency, metrology, and donor coordination. Economic growth in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean is driving an increase in the demand […]
Since 2009, the ECPA Technical Coordination Unit (TCU) facilitates clean energy dialogue, coordinates activities and supports the exchange of information and best practices. This newsletter edition explores the role of the TCU, a fundamental body within ECPA. Take a read at the following articles to learn more about its inception, evolution, responsibilities and achievements. ECPA […]
A Sustainable Cities Competition held in Miraflores, Peru, drew more than 100 proposals on how to make that part of Lima even more environmentally friendly than it already is. The competition—held in conjunction with the Sustainable Cities Course that took place in that city in April—ended on Earth Day, with a project fair in a […]
What does it mean to become a more sustainable community? In a small island country like Saint Kitts and Nevis, it means that challenges such as marine conservation, beach protection, and resilience to natural hazards have a prominent place on the agenda, alongside more traditional urban concerns such as traffic congestion and waste reduction. All […]
The OAS Sustainable Cities Course in Miraflores, Peru—an affluent district within the sprawling capital city of Lima—was supposed to take place in March. Then came the punishing rains and floods brought by an especially severe version of a localized climate phenomenon known as a “Coastal El Niño.” The course took place April 19-22 instead, with […]
Enough sunlight reaches the earth’s surface each minute to satisfy the world’s energy demands—for an entire year. http://facts.randomhistory.com/energy-facts.html
ECPA IN ACTION Building Sustainable Communities More than four out of five people in Latin America and the Caribbean now live in cities. This creates major challenges—more pollution, snarled traffic, decaying infrastructure, rising energy demands, and greater vulnerability to natural disasters, to name just a few—and is prompting local government officials to take the lead […]
Trinidad and Tobago has been producing oil for more than a century—commercial production began in 1908, in a field located near Pitch Lake, in La Brea—and today, 100 percent its electricity comes from fossil fuels, chiefly natural gas. That is about to change, as the country looks toward a future that includes renewable energy sources. […]
With momentum building for the upcoming meeting of the region’s energy ministers—the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA)—representatives of 28 countries met on April 20 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, to discuss their priorities, needs, and potential for increased cooperation. Franklin Kahn, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister […]
With momentum building for the upcoming meeting of the region’s energy ministers—the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA)—representatives of 28 countries met on April 20 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, to discuss their priorities, needs, and potential for increased cooperation. Franklin Kahn, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister […]
Energy is also found in food, and measured in joules. How long would you have to plug yourself into the wall to get the same amount of power as a day’s worth of food? Well, the average adult male needs 10 million joules of energy a day. When you consider that your laptop probably charges […]
A government sets energy policy, determines the country’s long-term needs, and builds a foundation of laws and regulations—but in most cases, it is the private sector that handles implementation. That’s why business will have a seat at the table when the region’s energy ministers meet for the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Energy and Climate […]
As preparations intensify for the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, the Energy Working Group of the Americas Business Dialogue offers a private sector perspective on the opportunities for the region’s energy development. The Americas Business Dialogue (ABD)—a private sector-driven initiative facilitated by the Inter-American Development Bank—seeks to foster […]
What is ECPA up to? The next stop before Viña del Mar will be Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, where representatives from countries around the region will gather April 20 to prepare for September’s Third ECPA Ministerial Meeting. In a sense, Port of Spain is the birthplace of ECPA; the Energy and Climate Partnership […]
It’s official: Energy ministers from around the region will gather in Viña del Mar, Chile, on September 7-8 for the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA). Chilean President Michelle Bachelet invited all Member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) to participate, noting that “we share the […]
In Valdivia, a city of about 160,000 people in southern Chile, a university research team set about analyzing how best to cut energy use in public buildings. Seeking the biggest bang for the buck, the team focused on three schools and City Hall. First, a bit of context. Valdivia sees more than its share of […]
In Mexico, a widely accessible financing mechanism—the “Green Mortgage”—makes it easy for homebuyers to install energy-efficient appliances, low-flow toilets, LED lighting, solar water heaters, and a host of other “ecotechnologies.” Through its Green Mortgage program, the housing lender Infonavit—the name stands for the Institute of the National Housing Fund for Workers—provides a loan add-on, on […]
What energy could be more cost-effective than energy that’s never used in the first place? No wonder governments are increasingly looking at energy efficiency as the “first fuel” and “a source of energy in its own right,” as the International Energy Agency puts it. For this month’s newsletter, the Energy and Climate Partnership of the […]
Far too many people in Latin America and the Caribbean live in substandard dwellings, often built with poor materials and lacking basic infrastructure services. A study by the Inter-American Development Bank put the number at 59 million people, or one in three families. An organization called Weatherizers Without Borders (WWB) is working in Argentina and […]
Caribbean countries should take better advantage of the “vast pool of expertise” in the region and the Caribbean diaspora, as well as throughout the hemisphere, to increase technical cooperation on energy, a high-level official of the Organization of American States (OAS) told the Fifth Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum. “I am of the firm view that […]
The first street in the world to be lit by electric light bulbs was Mosley Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1879. (Source: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/top10facts/506854/Top-10-facts-about-electricity)
The Miraflores district located in Lima, capital of Peru, will host the twelfth edition of the “Sustainable Cities” regional course. The Organization of American States (OAS) is organizing the course with the support of the Town Hall led by Mayor Jorge Muñoz Wells. This joint effort will allow Miraflores’ Town Hall staff to work in […]
Electric vehicles are popping up on streets and highways from Barbados to Uruguay and points in between, as governments and consumers look at ways to reduce their carbon footprints. While the trend is still largely in the nascent stage—here a few taxis, there a public bus—in some places electric vehicles are starting to pick up […]
Sixty participants and 39 speakers gathered in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on December 6-9, 2016, for the Sustainable Cities Course 10th Edition, hosted by the Organization of American States (OAS) in coordination with the Mayor of Montego Bay, St James Parish Council, and the Jamaica Solar Energy Association (JSEA). Geared toward government officials and members of […]
Google accounts for roughly 0.013% of the world’s energy use. It uses enough energy to continuously power 200,000 homes. Google data centers used 260 million megawatts of power in 2010. Source: http://facts.randomhistory.com/energy-facts.html
Costa Rica—the latest country to join the Steering Committee of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA)—has set a global example on renewable energy. In 2016, for the second year in a row, it generated more than 98 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. As enviable as that feat may be, it […]
In this season of lights, let us consider the humble street light. It may lack the sparkle of a holiday display or the pizzazz of a neon sign, but the street light can play a big role in a country’s energy picture. In fact, in some island states of the Caribbean street lighting accounts for […]
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 […]
All across the Americas—a region with abundant renewable energy resources—countries are moving toward cleaner energy, driven by the urgency of a changing climate. The Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) has helped shape our region’s efforts to tackle a range of challenges we all share. Yes, we still have a long way to […]
Paris Agreement Ratified on Record Time: Parties Ready to Get the Ball Rolling October 2016 will be a month to remember as it witnessed the achievement of double of the required threshold for the Paris Agreement to entry into force. The Paris Agreement will commence starting November 4, only thirty days after at least 55 […]
Through its partnership with ECPA, the Clean Energy Solutions Center has supported Belize with the implementation of its Sustainable Energy Strategy and utility business model transformation. The Sustainable Energy Strategy and Action Plan is part of Belize’s Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement. The Plan calls for “85% renewable energy by 2030 by implementing […]
Like any major change, the transition to cleaner energy is going to take some hard work. In preparation for next year’s ECPA ministerial meeting—which will focus on the “Energy Transition in the Americas”— representatives from across the hemisphere met to brainstorm about some of their countries’ main challenges and priorities. The preparatory meeting, held in […]
If it were not for naturally occurring greenhouse gases, the earth would be too cold to support life as we know it. Without the greenhouse effect, the average temperature of the earth would be about -2°F rather than the 57°F we currently experience. Source: http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=environment_about_ghg
Bringing a Practical Perspective to Energy Challenges Governments make critical policy decisions about energy, but companies tend to be on the front lines of turning that policy into reality. That’s why tackling today’s energy challenges effectively requires real engagement between the public and private sector, a representative of the Americas Business Dialogue recently argued. Both […]
The Clean Energy Solutions Center helps governments design and adopt policies and programs that support the deployment of clean energy technologies. The Solutions Center offers Ask an Expert policy assistance, training and peer-to-peer learning forums and a rich library of technical tools and publications—all at no cost to users. The Solutions Center supports ECPA countries […]
Connecting electricity grids and markets across borders is a long-term process that requires sustained political support at the highest levels. But it is well worth the effort, because electricity integration benefits all countries and consumers. Electricity integration drives competition, which can lower electricity prices, mobilize investment, facilitate renewable energy deployment, and encourage an optimal use […]
Recycling 35 percent of U.S. trash saves enough energy to fuel six million homes annually, generates $5.2 billion in raw materials each year, and reduces global warming emissions equivalent to taking 36 million cars off the road. Source: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2714&q=440320
ECPA Steering Committee launches preparatory process toward the 2017 ministerial Looking forward to the third ECPA ministerial, governments in the Americas are gathering to further energy transformation in the Americas. The ECPA Steering Committee will convene two regional meetings in preparation for the high-level meeting in Chile. On October 20, Miami will host the first […]
If all U.S. newspapers were recycled, the country could save about 250,000,000 trees each year! Each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4000 kilowatts of energy, and 7000 gallons of water. This represents a 64% energy savings, a 58% water savings, and 60 […]
The first phase of the recently concluded Renewable Energy and Climate Science: Metrology and Technology Challenges in the Americas initiative under ECPA, made great strides to strengthen gender diversity. Nevertheless, there is considerable potential to bolster gender mainstreaming, in a groundbreaking effort to contribute to a greater participation of women in sciences and gender equality […]
After three successfully implemented projects, this circular economy-inspired initiative has proven sustainable production is not only possible, but financially feasible, while challenging conventional production processes. This initiative introduced national governments and industries to a series of new business opportunities that will contribute a more sustainable economic growth and social prosperity. The General Secretariat of the […]
Latin America’s water-energy nexus analyzed in regional dialogue held in Panama On May 24-25 the OAS held the Regional Dialogue on Water-Energy Nexus in Panama City, Panama. The event co-hosted by the National Energy Secretariat (SNE) with the support of the U.S. Permanent Mission to the OAS and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) looked at […]
In Costa Rica, coffee is ingrained in the country’s culture and heritage. With some 50,000 producers, mostly small-scale farmers, and 230 coffee mills, the industry is a large exporter and rural employer. It also accounts for about 9 percent of national greenhouse gas emissions. A number of initiatives are underway to reduce the coffee industry’s […]
Recycling one aluminum beverage can saves enough energy to run a 14 watt CFL bulb (60 watt incandescent equivalent) for 20 hours, or a computer for 3 hours. (EPA) Recycle this can and save enough energy to power a 100-watt light bulb for four hours. (Pepsi) Recycling aluminum cans in the United States in 1996 […]
In early 1999, less than three months after Hurricane Mitch had plowed through his fields, wiping out the corn, potatoes, and other crops he had planted, Israel Vaíl headed for the United States to take his chances as an undocumented immigrant. Now back in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, he looks back on that decision as his […]
Recent studies argue that population growth and rapid urbanization will increase energy demand, exerting more pressure on natural water sources in the region. For two days, field experts from the public, private and academic sectors, met in Panama City to review best practices and regulatory frameworks that can contribute to a more integrated management of […]
To raise awareness among the academic sector and promote the implementation of closed loop cycle production methods, are among the components of the Closed Loop Cycle Production in the Americas (CLCPA) Program. To this end, the Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) of the Organization of American States (OAS) conveyed the first edition of a Design […]
With the goal of promoting greater hemispheric cooperation to address the numerous challenges that rapid urbanization poses to the region, the Permanent Mission of the United States to the Organization of American States (OAS) partnered with the OAS in 2013 to launch Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean, a technical assistance and competitive […]
Most consumers may not give it a thought when they turn on a tap or switch on a light, but water and energy are highly interdependent. It takes water—lots of it—to produce most types of energy, and it takes energy to extract, pump, treat, and transport water. As demand for both grows, citizens and governments […]
The ECPA project carried in three municipalities— Valdivia, Chile; Goiânia, Brazil; and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago—is developing energy efficiency practices and policies that eventually could be applied in other cities and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Valdivia, Chile As of January this year, a team at the Universidad Austral de Chile […]
In Guatemala City, a small pilot project to produce biodiesel from recycled cooking oil has shown so much potential that its organizers are hoping to scale it up to help power a whole fleet of city vehicles—with clear benefits for the air and water. At the Chicharronería “El Mañanero,” a bustling eatery located near La […]
A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) for the Clean Energy Finance Facility – Caribbean and Central America – CEFF-CCA was formally presented last week at the U.S. – Caribbean – Central American Energy Summit, hosted by U.S. Vice President Biden and attended by distinguished delegations from the countries of the CCA regions, including a number […]
The Cherry Blossom season has finally arrived. Like every year, Washingtonians and tourists parade along the Potomac shores to watch the trees bloom, dressing the city in magnificent shades of pink for nearly two weeks. To celebrate the arrival of spring, the ECPA Clearinghouse wanted to use this emblematic occasion to better explain the “Circular […]
With the Paris Agreement about to be open for signature, Christiana Figueres—the United Nations official who has shepherded the global climate negotiation process for the past several years—reminded the OAS Member states that the challenges of implementation are just beginning. Reversing the effects of climate change will be a long-term process, but countries need to […]
In an event held at the Atlantic Council in Washington on March 17, National Security Advisor and Ambassador Susan Rice spoke of “seizing a transformational moment in the Western Hemisphere”. She specifically alluded to the efforts led by Mexico in addressing climate change, advancing clean energy and fostering economic integration. (Photo courtesy of Atlantic Council/Victoria […]
Solar panels have appeared on the rooftops of a number of community organizations on the Caribbean island of Antigua, thanks to a high-energy development economist and a small but pivotal grant through the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA). For Ruth Spencer, who has spearheaded the community solar project, renewable energy is not […]
Measurement plays an important role in addressing the challenges of climate change. Metrology —the science of measurement— provides the means to ensure accuracy, precision and international recognition in measuring. Climate change is a reality impacting the economy of every country and the well-being of its people. In addition to global warming, evidence of its consequences […]
Since 2013, the Sustainable Energy Capacity Building Initiative (SECBI) has been a point of reference for Caribbean energy sector reform. Under the umbrella of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), SECBI has provided technical and legal assistance to enable governments to deploy new projects and provide access to modern services, thus improving […]
In an Internet-dependent world, most people are yet to realize that massive email storage might have perverse consequences on the environment. Seems environmental conscience goes beyond veganism or paper saving. Transitioning to digital storage is leading to major increases in energy consumption. Google itself acknowledges it is “as much of an energy glutton as heavy […]
In 2014 nearly 60% of the energy produced in power plants was generated by internal combustion engines, gas and steam plants (thermal generation), while the remaining 40% was renewable energy. With this scenario in mind, the national government is taking action to improve the operating conditions of the electric system in order to incorporate diverse […]
It was only July 2015 when a team of experts from the Department of Sustainable Development of the Organization of Americas States (OAS), finished collecting the information for designing sound strategies for these two Panamanian SMEs before they applied to the certification of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Both companies celebrated the arrival […]
It is undeniable that this agreement is vital for the planet. The agreement lays the foundations to create more resilient communities and economies and helps mobilize new investment in key sectors such as clean energy, which in turn will help mitigate climate change and bring important local benefits. While the region accounts for only 10 […]
The consultation meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Energy and the Public Service, along with representatives from McGeown Associates, Collaborative Labelling and Appliance Standards Incorporated (CLASP), and the OAS. From a citizen/consumer perspective, contributing to this issue means getting rid of old incandescent lights and appliances which use electricity inefficiently. Moreover, an important aspect […]
This course aimed to provide theoretical and practical knowledge on the different elements that contribute to the development of sustainable cities to government officials and members of civil society involved in planning processes and urban development. This activity specifically focused on: providing state of the art knowledge on the set of systems involved in the […]
ECPA wants to share some resolutions that will help you engage in greener actions for your family, your community and the planet. We invite you to put into practice these simple habits throughout the year, and why not, for longer? Resolution # 1: Save Energy Energy savings at home, school and office can start with […]
2010-04-21Nuestra visión es un futuro energético y climático sostenible para el Hemisferio
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