When it comes to the impacts of climate change, the Caribbean countries are speaking “not of tragedies in the making but tragedies already with us,” Dominica’s Ambassador to the OAS and the United States, Hubert Charles, explained in an interview. More than 150 countries are meeting in Paris this month for the Conference of Parties […]
Crude oil prices have been relatively low all year, but the countries of the Caribbean know they can’t count on that forever. In a region often buffeted by volatile oil prices—and by the all-too-real effects of climate change—the countries are keeping their eyes firmly focused on the need for more sustainable energy solutions. Whether wind […]
“Sustainable development is not an option but an imperative,” OAS Assistant Secretary General Nestor Mendez reminded delegates at the opening of the Third Inter-American Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Sustainable Development, held October 19-20 in Tela, Honduras. “To be able to provide a better quality of life for the peoples of the hemisphere […]
Jamaica is the largest island economy in the English-speaking Caribbean and the third-largest island in the region, with a geographical area of 11,000 square kilometers and a population of 2.83 million people. In 2013, its gross national income was US$15.44 billion, approximately $5,450 per capita. The country has been heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels […]
Long dependent on imported crude oil, the Caribbean island states now have a “window of opportunity” to strengthen their energy security and deploy clean energy projects across the region, according to Ambassador Doctor Neil Parsan, OAS Executive Secretary for Integral Development of the Organization of American States (OAS). He was speaking at a recent ministerial […]
Buildings are energy guzzlers: In the United States, they account for 38 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions and 73 percent of electricity consumption, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. An ECPA project being implemented in three cities in the hemisphere aims to find effective ways to reduce energy use in municipal buildings. The […]
The four-day course, which was geared toward government officials and members of civil society involved in urban planning and development, provided a comprehensive overview of the various aspects that contribute to building sustainable communities. The format included theoretical presentations, student participation, case studies, practical exercises, field trips, and group discussions. Events of this nature aim […]
The potential impact of energy efficiency measures is enormous. In fact, the International Energy Agency has called energy efficiency the world’s “first fuel,” based on its cumulative impact. In its Energy Efficiency Market Report 2014, the agency said “avoided energy use” was larger in 2011 than the supply of oil, electricity, or natural gas. Yet, […]
A recent workshop in Mexico provided technical training on the measurement of gas concentrations for monitoring air quality and climate change, and discussed the importance of having the right public policies and regulations in place. The three-day event, held at the headquarters of Mexico’s National Metrology Center (CENAM) in Querétaro, brought together staff members of […]
The meeting had four basic objectives: exchange information about technological innovations in heavy oil transportation, upgrading, and refining; share best practices for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; discuss environmental remediation processes; and strengthen the regional relationship between members of the group. In opening remarks, Carmen Sylvain, Canadian Ambassador to Colombia, and Frank Des Rosiers, Assistant Deputy […]
StartupPerú, a government program to encourage entrepreneurship, has awarded a grant to an ECPA-supported initiative, PowerMundo, recognizing it as a Dynamic and High-Impact Enterprise. ECPA congratulates PowerMundo and its team for the work they are doing to bring solar-powered lighting to remote areas of the country. PowerMundo has implemented a pay-as-you-go system which allows users […]
El Salvador’s National Energy Council (CNE) and the Office of the Superintendent of Electricity and Telecommunications have worked with all players in the electricity sector to create the conditions needed to reach this objective. The first phase of this effort involved making adjustments to the regulatory framework at every level— laws, rules, and regulations—to promote […]
A recent workshop held in the Dominican Republic brought together teachers, Ministry of Education staff, and other participants to talk about how to give students a better grounding in subjects related to energy and the environment. The event—“Energy Education and Awareness for a Sustainable Future”—was part of ECPA’s Sustainable Energy Capacity-Building Initiative (SECBI) for the […]
At a regional workshop held in Santiago, Chile, representatives of 16 countries in the hemisphere met to identify ways to encourage more widespread use of renewable energy sources. While considerable progress has been made on this front, participants at the meeting agreed that more work must be done on key issues to make renewables more […]
Senior ECPA Fellow María Paz Gutiérrez traveled in early August to Medellín, Colombia, to share some of her expertise on sustainable housing and learn more about environmentally friendly projects being built locally. The Chilean architect was invited by the National University’s Medellín campus, which asked for her advice on a project that a team of […]
Colombia is South America’s fourth-largest country in land area and, with 47 million people, Latin America’s third-largest population. The country’s electricity sector is dominated by hydroelectric and thermal generation; however, Colombia has great potential to develop new renewable energy technologies, primarily wind, solar, and biomass. Colombia has developed a long-term plan designed to address the […]
The Organization of American States and the U.S. Department of Energy signed a memorandum of understanding to foster information exchange and collaboration with a view to educating future generations about the principles of sustainable energy and energy efficiency. The agreement was signed by OAS Assistant Secretary General Nestor Mendez and LaDoris Harris, Director of the […]
The Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean is currently supporting the development of two important activities in the Caribbean. The official launch of a solar project in Antigua and Barbuda, and the completion of an energy audit in the Dominican Republic, account for the most recent accomplishments of this ECPA initiative. Implemented by […]
At the Second ECPA Ministerial held in Mexico in May 2015, the governments established a Steering Committee. The Department of Sustainable Development of the Organization of American States (OAS), in its ECPA Clearinghouse capacity, has been reaching out to this newly created body to commence meaningful dialogue on Partnership development. On July 10, the governments […]
The 4th Heavy Oil Working Group (HOWG) meeting will take place on September 22, 2015 in Bogota, Colombia, in the fringes of the Heavy Oil Latin America Conference and Exhibition (HOLA). At the Second Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas ministerial meeting in Merida, Mexico, Canada’s Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford announced the 4th […]
At a meeting held on June 30 through July 2 in Belmopan and Belize City, MESTPU Energy Director Ambrose Tillet said that “the OAS project will create an opportunity to pool a greater mass of capabilities to deliver on the ambitious goals and targets set out in the national sustainable energy strategy action plan.” The […]
The ECPA Clearinghouse Mechanism launched the ambitious “General ECPA Survey on National Energy Sectors in Latin America and the Caribbean.” The survey is being carried out through National Focal Points to obtain detailed information on each country’s energy sector. The information will be used to plan the Clearinghouse Mechanism’s technical assistance and dialogue activities, as […]
On June 29, at OAS headquarters, Secretary General, Luis Almagro, opened a two-day event in which OAS Member States debated the issues to be addressed at the Meeting of Ministers and High-level Authorities for Sustainable Development in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in October 2015. The meeting was organized by the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) and […]
The Dominican Republic covers a little over two thirds of the eastern part of Hispaniola, the island it shares with Haiti. Its economy is the ninth largest in Latin America and second in Central America and the Caribbean (CIA, 2010). Although the country is known as a sugar producer,, the services industry is currently the […]
On June 18, Pope Francis released his long-awaited Encyclical on the environment, a groundbreaking letter declaring climate change one of humanity’s greatest challenges. Dan Kammen, a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner and expert for the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), was a contributor to the drafting of the Vatican’s document. The Pope’s […]
The Department of Sustainable Development’s initiative on Closed-Loop Cycle Production in the Americas (CLCPA) is introducing the Cradle to Cradle® (C2C) concept in Latin America and the Caribbean using three programmatic components: awareness raising, analysis and advice for drafting policies, and promoting application of this innovative philosophy. The concept of the Circular Economy, based on […]
Historically, energy and water systems have been developed, managed, and regulated independently at both national and international levels. Water scarcity, variability, and uncertainty are becoming more prominent, potentially leading to vulnerabilities of several domestic energy systems. Aware of the importance of addressing this undeniable relationship, a high-level panel on this issue was held on the […]
During May 25 and 26, energy ministers of Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica Panama, Peru, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, the United States, and other national authorities, agreed to jointly design a more dynamic Work Plan with concrete actions that would help boost Western Hemisphere’s leadership on energy and climate change issues. Said […]
One of the Sustainable Energy Capacity Building Initiative (SECBI) components is to provide technical assistance for Caribbean island nations to receive capacity building support for energy project development. Through three tenders, this ECPA initiative aims to intensify energy-efficiency efforts in Belize, support legal and regulatory framework for renewable energy power generation in Trinidad & Tobago, […]
In recent years, liquid biofuels for transport have benefited from significant political support due to their potential (co-beneficial) role in mitigating climate change and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, biofuels is one of the avenues for green job creation and the facilitation of rural development by providing new markets for agricultural production. However, […]
The energy sector, particularly electricity, is a significant contributor to economic growth in Saint Lucia, a small island developing state in the Eastern Caribbean. An adequate, reliable, and cost effective power supply is essential for facilitating industries such as tourism and other services, and for stimulating economic growth. The sole power company (Saint Lucia Electricity […]
The circular economy concept offers an alternative to today’s linear “take, make, dispose” economic model, moving away from growth through the use of natural resources and ecosystems. This philosophy is eminently compatible with the principles of sustainable development and could inject added value into the intergovernmental negotiation processes for the post-2015 development agenda, both of […]
The region’s high-ranking authorities on energy and climate will meet on May 25 and 26 to discuss the ECPA plan of action. Chief among the topics that the OAS member states will address in their discussions are energy efficiency, climate change, and charting a new course for the ECPA. Since its inception in 2009, the […]
With a population of more than three million, Panama is Central America’s front-runner in terms of growth and development (2014 Human Development Index) as well as the second most competitive country in the region, according to the World Economic Forum. Geographic good luck has blessed it with a canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans […]
According to Argentina’s National Institute of Industrial Technology, every liter of used oil poured down the drain pollutes 1,000 liters of water. An average person uses an estimated 10 liters of oil per year. A new scheme was launched in Guatemala City on April 15 this year in the framework of the Sustainable Communities in […]
Chaired by the Government of Mexico, the ECPA Energy Efficiency Working Group provides technical assistance and advice to governments of the Americas in the advancement of their energy efficiency and conservation goals since 2011. This Working Group convened in excess of 30 workshops, seminars and technical exchange meetings. More than 650 government officials attended these […]
OAS-ECPA and government representatives met in Santo Domingo and agreed that the Dominican Republic would serve as liaison between the Caribbean and Latin America to raise awareness on the importance of sustainable development and, more specifically, the role played by renewable energy and energy efficiency in the latter. The objective of these meetings held between […]
Did you know that living, organic matter such as waste derived from the production of coffee has the potential to generate power and contribute to fulfill the region’s energy needs? Coffee-growing businesses in Honduras are one of many rural sectors in need of affordable, reliable energy. Producers could use organic waste to generate part of […]
The Department of Sustainable Development in association with The Bureau of Standards of Jamaica and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the United States cohosted the “Regional Workshop on Metrology and Technological Challenges of Climate Science and Renewable Energy 2015.” This technical meeting promoted regional and international partnerships and the exchange of […]
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Chile is Latin America’s fifth largest energy consumer. However, it is a small producer of fossil fuels and therefore heavily dependent on energy imports. To strengthen energy security and improve competitiveness, the government is implementing an energy agenda based on seven strategic pillars which contemplate priority actions in […]
A technical mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) and Dominicans that is working together in the development of an educational and awareness program in renewable energy and energy efficiency in Dominican Republic met this Thursday with institutions linked to the education sector to identify the contents and strategies to be developed for teaching […]
Buildings consume an average of 37 per cent of the world’s energy. Ameliorating their performance and operation helps build a cleaner environment through energy savings and improves comfort and productivity for dwellers, visitors, workers and other users. This is precisely what this ECPA initiative seeks to accomplish. The municipalities selected for the project share specific […]
Since its inception in 2009, ECPA partners worked jointly to increase energy security and promote low-carbon economic and social growth and integration in the Americas. Several initiatives focusing on seven fundamental pillars were launched, making of this voluntary hemispheric cooperation mechanism a key platform for dialogue on energy and climate. The preparatory process that took […]
“In Trinidad and Tobago we have the human capacity for innovation, tolerance for newer ideas and a vision to achieve excellence in all spheres of human endeavours.” – Prime Minister, the Honourable Kamla Persad Bissessar at the United Nations Climate Summit on September 23, 2014. These confident statements were made in recognition of Trinidad and […]
Increasing energy access across the Americas requires inclusive policies targeting vulnerable segments of society, promoting energy efficiency, and ensuring stable access to reliable energy services. On February 27, the Department of Sustainable Development of the OAS and the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), convened a Public Discussion Forum on Energy Efficiency in […]
Closed Looped Cycle Production in the Americas (PCCA), an initiative led by the Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) of the Organization of American States (OAS) launched in Colombia the call “Closed Cycle Production: Accelerating the transition to a Circular Economy” on August of 2014, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MINCIT), […]
At the onset of its second phase, Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean an initiative led by the Organization of American States (OAS) is financing a project to plan, design and implement river protection works that will benefit five communities in the municipality of Desamparados. The activity of the Jorco River has affected […]
Following up on the Caribbean Energy Security Initiative (CESI) launched in June 2014, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz convened a meeting in Washington with Caribbean heads of state and senior officials, and with international funding institutions to discuss the Caribbean region’s energy security. At the Summit, Vice President […]
Generating electricity from biomass, such as urban waste and sustainably-sourced forest and crop residues, is one strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, given its carbon-neutrality: it produces as much carbon as the plants absorb from the atmosphere. By capturing carbon from burning biomass termed bio energy with carbon capture and sequestration (BECCS) power generators could […]
In September 2014 Costa Rica began a National Energy Dialogue process geared toward fostering diverse and participatory debate with all stakeholders actively engaged in the sector in order to establish guidelines for the short-, medium- and long-term national energy agenda. As the nation’s governing body of environment and energy, the Ministry of Environment and Energy […]
This diagram summarizes the main activities carried by the ECPA Clearinghouse during 2014. In its Clearinghouse capacity, the OAS Department for Sustainable Development organized four regional technical workshops throughout the Americas, four Public discussion forums in Washington DC and four sub-regional preparatory meetings for ECPA’s II upcoming ministerial reunion, to be held in 2015. Click […]
With infrastructure costs for renewable energy declining, renewables are becoming increasingly viable for Latin America and the Caribbean. A recent workshop looked at some of the advantages of renewable energy sources: They can help countries diversify their energy matrix, improve the quality of life for people who live in isolated areas currently off the grid, […]
A number of countries in the region are hoping to make their energy future brighter by incorporating lessons on energy efficiency into the classroom. An upcoming regional workshop will examine some of the most effective ways to enlighten students about responsible energy use long before they ever have to pay an electric bill. The OAS-sponsored […]
Looking ahead to a second ministerial-level meeting of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, to be held in 2015, each sub region has been holding preparatory meetings to evaluate progress on projects and initiatives and discuss how this hemisphere-wide effort could be strengthened. These meetings have also laid the groundwork for a Plan […]
Climate change is no longer the stuff of the future—and countries throughout the Americas are taking concrete steps to address its effects. To help the OAS member countries exchange information on this critical issue, this newsletter will offer an occasional focus on a specific country, to see what policies and measures it is adopting to […]
The countries of the Americas are in the process of defining the next generation of challenges to achieve sustainable development. A recent forum at the OAS—“Building a Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda for the Americas”—provided an opportunity to discuss some of the region’s priorities and goals moving forward. The forum, held on October 21, brought together […]
An ECPA initiative that encourages sustainable, “closed-loop” production methods was the focus of two workshops held as part of a major international event—the 2014 World Resources Forum in Arequipa, Peru. Through the workshops, several partners in the “Closed Looped Cycle Production in the Americas” initiative highlighted innovative production methods designed to improve business productivity, competitiveness, […]
The Inter-American Committee on Sustainable Development will meet on October 22-23 at OAS headquarters to launch a review and update of OAS priorities and policies on sustainable development and the environment, with a focus on the region’s post-2015 development agenda. The meeting, chaired by Honduras, sets in motion a year-long process that will culminate with […]
Scientists issue repeated warnings about the need to protect the planet, but they are not the only ones with concerns. Through an unusual new documentary film, the Kogi people of Colombia are calling on the world to see the environment through their eyes and understand their fears. An indigenous civilization hidden in the Sierra Nevada […]
In 2011, armed with a grant awarded under the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), nonprofit organization Trees, Water & People launched an initiative to increase the use of clean technologies in several Latin American countries. That pilot project has since spawned a social enterprise that is making solar lighting products accessible to […]
A regional ECPA workshop held in the Colombian capital focused on opportunities to incorporate energy-efficient alternatives into the transportation sector. Participants heard about such recent developments as a fleet of “Biotaxis” in Bogotá and a new trolley system being built in Medellín. The workshop on “Energy-Efficiency Trends for Fossil Fuel Use,” held on September 25, […]
Halloween is a time for the imagination to run wild—and with just a little creative imagination the festivities can be less scary for the environment. In the United States alone, consumers are expected to spend $7.4 billion this year on this ghostly celebration, according to the National Retail Federation. And Halloween has become a global […]
The concept of a “circular economy” or “closed-loop” production is attracting growing interest—a reflection of its versatility in application, environmental benefits, and potential for cost savings. As a result of the number of events and developments in the field, the OAS will produce a monthly newsletter, beginning this month, to focus exclusively on the topic. […]
The Latin American and Caribbean region has enormous market potential for energy efficiency, but tapping into that potential will take a coordinated push among actors in both the public and private sectors. That was the conclusion reached by participants in the recent launch of the Regional Energy Efficiency Program, part of an initiative called “Toward […]
A workshop in Uruguay brings together representatives of several South American countries to address some of the challenges the hemisphere faces in tackling these issues. The Regional Workshop on Metrology and Technology Challenges of Climate Science and Renewable Energy takes place from September 2-4 in Montevideo. The event—which follows a similar workshop in May held […]
The ECPA Senior Fellows Innovation Projects Grant Award encourages the development and implementation of local projects that help increase sustainability, grow the use of clean energy, build models for adaptation to climate change, and design solutions for reducing deforestation. Kammen’s proposal—“Sustainable and Cost-Effective Growth for Chile’s Electricity Sector Requiring Creating Local Capacity on Integrative Planning […]
In his remarks at the event, Saint Lucia’s Minister for the Public Service, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, James Fletcher, stressed the importance of sustaining efforts to transform the region’s energy sector. He noted that the high cost of electricity undermines business productivity in Caribbean countries, a factor that must be addressed if the […]
Companies in Colombia’s chemical, textile, and lumber sectors may submit proposals by September 15, 2014. The companies selected will receive training and technical assistance from experts who will work with them to identify ways to improve environmental performance and production systems design. The training will help the companies be better positioned, from a technical standpoint, […]
The initiative provides grants of up to $50,000 each to support community projects that address some of the challenges of rapid urbanization, with a focus on at least one of four priority areas. The most popular category of proposals submitted was for projects focusing on waste management, recycling (including electronic waste), and improved water resource […]
Colombia has seen a sharp upturn in oil, natural gas, and coal production in recent years, due to a series of regulatory reforms in 2008 that have spurred more exploration and development in this sector. At the same time, energy efficiency is becoming an increasingly important part of the energy picture. Countries around the world […]
The solar lamps are the first step in a broader plan to expand the use of solar technology in Peru. PowerMundo, a social enterprise which is based in the U.S. state of Colorado and has a field office in Lima, is working with another Colorado company, diviPower, to implement the pilot project in off-the-grid areas […]
The project, managed by Florida International University (FIU), expects to reduce energy use in 400 buildings in those cities. Last year, FIU won a grant of nearly $800,000 from the U.S. Department of State for the three-year project. An FIU research team is partnering with leading academic institutions in the three target areas—the Federal University […]
A total of 370 people attended the workshops, titled “Closed Looped Cycle Production in the Americas: An Innovative Vision of Productivity.” The events were held in Bogotá on July 29 and Medellín on August 1. Experts from the OAS General Secretariat and Colombia’s National Center for Cleaner Production provided the training as part of an […]
The event was sponsored by the OAS Department of Sustainable Development, the clearinghouse for the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA). In recent years, natural gas output has soared in the United States, largely due to the increased production of shale gas through such techniques as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. The booming […]
Energy is a critical component of economic development in any country, but this is a particularly pressing issue in the Caribbean, which depends heavily on energy imports and generates most of its electricity from diesel or gasoil. Countries in the region are looking at options to develop domestic energy sources for power generation or transportation […]
The OAS Department of Sustainable Development participated in a National Energy Development Partners Forum in Saint Lucia, sharing some of the lessons it has learned through its extensive field experience in sustainable energy and energy efficiency issues, particularly in the Caribbean region. International energy donors and partners were invited to join their local counterparts at […]
While “some people are still in disbelief” about the impact of climate change, the long-term scientific data are not in question, the Co-Chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Vicente Barros, told an OAS forum. “Since 1960 there has been a progressive warming, there is no doubt about it,” he said. […]
Since it kicked off on June 12, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil has brought high energy to the field—and has scored progress on the green energy front as well. A case in point is the Mineirão stadium in Belo Horizonte, the first World Cup stadium powered by solar energy. The stadium’s 6,000 photovoltaic panels […]
Recognizing the strategic importance of natural gas to countries’ energy plans, the last in a series of ECPA forums will focus on the “Impact of Expanded Natural Gas Resources on the Energy Future of the Americas.” The forum will take place at OAS headquarters on Wednesday, July 30, starting at 2:00 p.m. Natural gas is […]
Proposed rules to reduce carbon emissions from U.S. power plants provide innovative, flexible ways to address the negative impacts of climate change, according to several energy experts who participate in the Senior ECPA Fellows Program. Under guidelines announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on June 2, states must identify their own paths President […]
Under a program called Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean, a new round of small grants will be awarded to support projects that address some of the challenges of rapid urbanization in the region. An initiative of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), the program is managed by the Organization […]
Energy experts from several Latin American countries had the opportunity to learn about ECPA during their visit to the United States through the U.S. International Visitor Leadership Program. The program, run by the Department of State, seeks to strengthen U.S. engagement with countries around the world and cultivate lasting relationships by connecting current and emerging […]
Colombia’s Unit for Mining and Energy Planning (UPME) gave the presentation on the sidelines of the May 19-20 International Renewable Energy Forum in Cancún, Mexico, during a planning session for the next ECPA ministerial meeting. An emblematic initiative in ECPA’s portfolio, Connect 2022 seeks to strengthen and support regional and binational efforts underway to take […]
Given that clean energy has become such an important national and international issue in recent years, Yo Emprendedor created a specific category for these types of ventures, to encourage entrepreneurial activity in this sector in Central America and the Caribbean. The nonprofit, nongovernmental organization, which is based in Costa Rica, implemented the effort under ECPA […]
The event—called “Policy Dialogues on Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities for the Americas”—is sponsored by the OAS and the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA). It will take place on June 17, beginning at 3 p.m. EDT, at OAS headquarters in Washington. Speakers will include Vicente Barros, Co-Chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental […]
The working meeting was part of an ECPA initiative called “Closed Looped Cycle Production in the Americas,” which promotes a new approach to production in which materials that have reached the end of their useful life can be recycled, repurposed, or returned to the earth as nutrients. Closed-loop production is based on the “cradle-to-cradle” (C2C) […]
Energy efficiency experts and representatives from several countries participated in the technical exchange mission, held May 22-23. The event was organized by the ECPA Energy Efficiency Working Group. A key goal was to begin a dialogue about how the U.S. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) might be used as a model and applied in other countries. […]
This was the first in a series of technical workshops being held to build institutional capacity on this issue, as part of an initiative called Renewable Energy and Climate Science: Metrology and Technology Challenges in the Americas. The project is being implemented by the OAS Department of Sustainable Development and the U.S. National Institute of […]
The Heavy Oil Working Group (HOWG) serves as a forum for heavy oil producers and consumers in the Americas to exchange information on best practices and technological innovation. This group provides an opportunity to create a collaborative network of experts within the region, and gain a greater understanding of the potential of heavy oil. The […]
On May 19-20, Mexico’s Energy Secretariat (SENER) hosted the International Renewable Energy Forum (FIER) at the Mayan Rivera in the State of Quintana Roo. More than 300 energy practitioners and experts from the Western Hemisphere met to discuss current developments in renewable energy. Roberto Borge, Governor of the State of Quintana Roo, launched the event. […]
Over 15 national Caribbean trusts and heritage organizations met to share ideas, tools and techniques for cultural and natural conservation. During his address, Senior ECPA Fellow Jeff Soule noted that “through adaptive re-use of buildings, compact settlement patterns, walkability and mixed use, the historic places show how we need to develop new areas and focus […]
APSA boasts many success stories. Its biggest impact is the high number of solar PV systems deployed in homes and businesses across Central America and Mexico. In less than six months, program trainees installed more than 500 kilowatts of small solar systems in over 80 individual projects. This number is expected to reach as much […]
Biogas provides an integrated approach to energy generation, nutrient recycling for food production, waste management, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. ECPA strategic partner SNV, has published the study “Productive Biogas: Current and Future Development” showcasing in five experiences in Vietnam, Uganda, Honduras, Mali and Peru. These initiatives share a renewable energy framework aimed at […]
Monarch butterflies are known for their incredible mass migration—a spectacular journey of more than 5,000 miles in search of warmer temperatures. These butterflies have the longest and largest migration route in North America, flying over Canada and the United States before they reach their final destination in Mexico. It takes three generations of Monarch butterflies […]
Biomass is biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms. Specifically, biogas refers to a mixture of gases produced by the breakdown of such living or organic matter, in the absence of oxygen. It can be produced from raw materials such as recycled coffee or porcine waste. Biogas is a renewable source of energy, […]
Planet Earth is home to almost seven billion people two thirds of whom live in cities and urban areas. This figure would not say much on its own if it were not for the fact that one in four people lives in informal settlements. Urban inequality has been on the rise since the 1980s, taking […]
In 2013, the OAS Department of Sustainable Development worked with the Government of Ecuador to implement the Closed Looped Cycle Production in the Americas (CLCPA) initiative, aimed at deploying the Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) certification process in the food industry. The pilot project concluded successfully, and Batery Alimentos S.A.—a food company in Ecuador—became the first company in […]
On March 21-23, ECPA Fellow and Sustainable Forests and Land Use expert, Janaki R. R. Alavalapati, visited Belize to attend the Forest Management & Monitoring Stakeholder Forum. Dr. Alavalapati also met with government officials and representatives from the private sector and from the University of Belize. Fellow Alavalapati took advantage of his visit to strengthen […]
The forum showcased the experience of 10 ECPA implementing organizations, which through collaborative efforts have leveraged support from governments, international organizations and NGOs in projects that address energy challenges facing the countries of the Americas. Close to 50 participants attended the dialogue, including government officials, academic and civil society representatives, and energy and climate practitioners, […]
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was the venue chosen by the American Planning Association (APA) to celebrate the successful closure of its ECPA Sustainable and Inclusive Housing and Community Development project. On March 12, APA and its four partner organizations gathered to share best practices, lessons learned and challenges moving forward. The event was held at […]
On World Energy Efficiency Day celebrated in March 5, Sergio del Campo, Chile’s Energy Deputy Secretary, and William Phillips, former Executive Director of the Chilean Energy Efficiency Agency (AChEE), presented the Agency’s 2014 project portfolio and encouraged various organizations to engage in the activities related to energy efficiency. CONUEE representatives Francisco Salazar Neumann and Juventino […]
The Caribbean region is almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels for its transportation and electricity needs. Renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies offer considerable opportunities to meet growing energy demand in a cost-effective fashion. Through the ECPA initiative on Caribbean Sustainable Energy Capacity Building, the OAS will work closely with Caribbean governments to tackle key […]
Partners of the Americas (PoA) announces the second phase of its ECPA Fellows Initiative, supported by the U.S. Department of State. The first grant awarded was very successful in the creation of partnerships across the Americas and concluded in September 2013. During the first phase PoA coordinated 46 visits to 20 countries in the region […]
The government of Panama announced the launch of the new “Panama Green Label” to be developed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MICI) and the Union of Industrialists of Panama (SIP) with support and technical assistance from the OAS-SEDI Department of Sustainable Development. The Label – announced on March 19, 2014 at the IX […]
L to R; Cletus Springer, Director of the Department of Sustainable Development OAS; Pamela Tomski, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Energy and Environment Program; The Honorable Kevin Ramnarine, Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago; Dr. Terrence Quinn, Director, University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences, Institute for Geophysics; Alejandro […]
On February 6-7, 2014, the OECS Secretariat and the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP-GIZ) convened the final workshop of the Eastern Caribbean Energy Labeling Project (ECELP). The event marked the conclusion of an effort orchestrated in collaboration with national bureau of standards, importers and retailers of electrical equipment, and other government agencies in Antigua […]
In opening remarks, Ambassador Abigail Castro de Pérez, OAS representative in Panama, expressed appreciation for the important and unquestioned support of the Government of Panama for the workshop, and discussed OAS efforts on energy and climate change issues. Castro de Pérez also invited all participants as well as the representatives of Central American governments in […]
A partnership between the Government of Colombia and Purdue University was announced on January 20, 2014, after a meeting with the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, the Minister of Education, Maria Fernanda Campo, and the President of Purdue University, Mitchell Daniels. President Santos invited Purdue to play a central role in planning for the […]
The Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP) is a global partnership of international organizations and experts that identifies and addresses major knowledge gaps in green growth theory and practice. By encouraging widespread collaboration and world-class research, the GGKP offers practitioners and policymakers the policy guidance, good practices, tools, and data necessary to support the transition to […]
ECPA strategic partner Organization for the Development of Latin America ONWARD International and Brazil’s International Institute for Local Development (IIDEL) are organizing a “Technical Mission on Urban Management Capacity Building to Advance Municipal Development through Public-Private Partnerships.” The technical mission will take place in the city of Curitiba, Brazil, on February 24-28, 2014. This technical […]
IDEAL is a private non-profit organization headquartered in Florianopolis, Brazil, dedicated to the advancement of renewable energy for the development of energy integration policies in Latin America. IDEAL focuses its work in three main activities: The Eco_Logicas contest, the Cleaner Energy Seminar and America del Sol. These programs include a series of free initiatives. Additionally, […]
A grant under the Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean ECPA initiative, implemented by the Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) of the Organization of American States (OAS), is allowing H.O.P.E. Nevis to deploy a community engagement action plan against natural hazards in the lush Caribbean island of Nevis. Over the course of one […]
On January 16 the ECPA Clearinghouse, hosted by the OAS Department of Sustainable Development (DSD), convened a public discussion forum on energy and climate change education with the aim of identifying ways to advance greater energy and climate change awareness, education and literacy across the Americas. The event facilitated open debate among a diverse group […]
On February 26, 2014, Panama City will host a regional technical workshop under the auspices of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA). The ECPA Clearinghouse, led by the OAS Department of Sustainable Development, is supporting Panama’s National Energy Secretariat in the organization of this activity which will address various aspects of the […]
Photo: Clearinghouse team On November 8, 2013, a group of young environmental leaders and entrepreneurs hailing from several rural communities in Colombia met with Colombian diplomats and representatives of multilateral organizations to discuss their ideas to further economic and social activities in their villages. The visit was coordinated by the Colombian National Learning Service (SENA) […]
In the spring of 2014, the National Center of Metrology of Guatemala will host a technical workshop to address energy and climate metrology challenges facing the countries in Central America, included in the CAMET sub-region of the Inter-American Metrology System (SIM). Metrology organizations from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama will […]
On November 19-22, 2013, representatives from 15 Central American coffee growing organizations attended a workshop to learn about new techniques to reduce energy costs and increase profits while curbing carbon emissions and caring for the environment. The four-day event was hosted at the Research Center for Electrochemistry and Energy Chemistry (CELEQ) in San José, Costa […]
(Photo Credits: EAFIT) On December 2-6, 2013, the Organization of American States and EAFIT University (Escuela de Administración y Finanzas e Instituto Tecnológico) convened a course geared toward disseminating best practices and lessons learned in sustainable urban development. The course focused on Medellin’s Integral Urban Projects approach (known as PUI), conceived as an urban intervention […]
Two projects recently completed by ECPA strategic partner Worldwatch Institute are joining the ECPA project portfolio in 2014. The projects are “Phase 1 of the Caribbean Sustainable Energy and Roadmap Strategy initiative (C-SERMS)” and “The Way Forward for Renewable Energy in Central America.” Both efforts advance the goals enshrined in the seven fundamental pillars of […]
On December 3-4, 2013, the Organization of American States (OAS) held the Colloquium for Mayors “Towards Sustainable and Resilient Communities in the Americas”. The event sought to catalyze hemispheric cooperation among experts, mayors, and regional partners, bolster regional cooperation, improve the quality of municipal governance and establish a framework for effective collaboration and exchanges between […]
2010-04-21Nuestra visión es un futuro energético y climático sostenible para el Hemisferio
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