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 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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 November 18, 2013, at a meeting convened by the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Dialogue, Secretary Kerry spoke in favor of cooperation among the countries of the Western Hemisphere based on a relationship between equals, with the aim of strengthening democracy, investing in education, and combating climate change. Alluding to prosperity […]
The cooperative community, Hábitat Para la Mujer Comunidad María Auxiliadora (CMA), lies on the outskirts of Cochabamba, Bolivia. This community of collectively owned properties was formed to help single mothers who were escaping unbearable living conditions entangled in domestic abuse. CMA is based off a model of collective ownership that emphasizes the role of women […]
In Peru’s provincial capital of Otuzco, in the department of La Libertad, Peace Corps volunteers in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene program are building the capacity of a community to deploy and maintain its own biodigester. This ECPA initiative became a catalyst for other similar projects geared toward technological modernization and the strengthening of environmental […]
On November 29, 2013, a group of Costa Rican ministers and government officials met with the Environmental Network of Urban Mobility at the OAS National Office in San José. At the gathering, two studies were presented to decision makers: “Impact of Bicycle Lanes in Costa Rica” and “Obstacles and Opportunities for Non-Motorized Mobility in Greater […]
The Clean Energy Solutions Center provides reports, data, tools, interactive expert assistance and training forums to encourage and facilitate the transition to a global clean energy economy. Services are available at no cost to all ECPA Partners, government agencies and specialized organizations and institutes assisting governments. Ron Benioff, of the Solutions Center, said that “we […]
SNV and VIOGAZ are jointly implementing an ECPA initiative on electricity generation from biogas. Energy savings derived from this technique is allowing coffee growers and swine farmers in Costa Rica and Honduras to increase profit margins by making significant energy savings in production processes. Additionally, anaerobic digestion offers the unique advantage of safely treating and […]
Photo credit left corner: Jose Luis Rubio, El Sol de Mexico Public spaces play an important role in the social, urban and economic makeup of cities. Many Latin American cities are embarked in the task of renovating their public spaces. In Mexico City, the local government established the Public Space Authority, whose purpose is to […]
Meaningful access to reliable information is pivotal for sound decision-making. The Center for Information on Renewable Energies (CINER) based in Cochabamba, Bolivia, is joining ECPA to contribute to energy and climate information sharing and exchange. The goal of CINER is to support natural resources conservation with a focus on the rational use of energy. CINER […]
(Photo: OAS) The event offered an opportunity to discuss the Caribbean region’s potential to deploy renewable energy technologies, as their cost continues to fall and that of fossil fuels is trending upwards. Government and private sector analyzed the types of policies required to develop a regional market that will allow small island states to harness […]
A fundamental ingredient of clean energy market growth is the capacity of entrepreneurs to design and manage the types of businesses that will expand the marketplace. New energy businesses may not be established without the human ingenuity required for these endeavors to come to fruition. ECPA is supporting entrepreneurial capacity development so that new sustainable […]
(Photo: OAS) The cities of the Americas are experiencing dramatic changes derived from rising urbanization. Numerous cities are rapidly expanding beyond their planned limits, and the systems to provide them with water, sewerage, waste disposal, and other common services are becoming obsolete, inadequate and inefficient. These issues must be addressed insofar as cities are responsible […]
In order to be effective, energy and climate policy making must be guided by robust scientific knowledge. Access to accurate, internationally accepted measurements and standards is therefore fundamental for policy decision making, as well as to assess the impacts of policies and mitigation efforts. The Organization of American States and the U.S. National Institute of […]
On November 20-21, 2013, the Andean Climate Change Inter-American Observatory Network (ACCION), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Andean Eco-region Sustainable Development Consortium (CONDENSAN, for its acronym in Spanish) will host a science policy workshop in Quito, Ecuador to discuss the “Impacts of Global Climate Change on Snow, Glaciers and Water […]
(Photo credits: Darren Mahuron photography) Since 2011, the NGO Trees, Water & People (TWP) is implementing an ECPA initiative to improve the quality of life and livelihoods of impoverished communities in Peru and Honduras by providing them with reliable access to basic energy services. Through their work, people are learning how to build clean cookstoves […]
Shirley Heights National Park, photo credits: OAS In 2010, the Organization of American States started implementing an ECPA initiative aimed at supporting energy integration in the Caribbean. The initiative fostered regional dialogue on the technical and policy aspects of integration. Legal and technical support was provided to governments seeking to advance sustainable energy solutions, and […]
The Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) co-hosted by the Government of Aruba will take place at the Westin Resort & Casino from October 9-11. The forum seeks to convey the region’s favorable outlook for renewable energy deployment. Prior to the event, the United States Departments of State and Energy, the Caribbean-Central American Action (CCAA) and […]
On October 30th from 6pm – 9pm, ECPA implementer Trees, Water & People (TWP) http://www.treeswaterpeople.org/ will debut its photography exhibition, “Illuminating Opportunity,” in Fort Collins, Colorado to share the impacts of their work Increasing access to clean energy in Latin America. The collection of images captured by Fort Collins photographer Darren Mahuron, depict TWP’s ongoing […]
The OAS and the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP) have recently formalized a knowledge partnership agreement that will expand knowledge generation, best practices sharing and communications and outreach support. All OAS Department of Sustainable Development networks and clearinghouse mechanisms will take part in this effort geared toward building awareness on energy and climate across the […]
The ECPA Andean Climate Change Inter-American Observatory Network (ACCION) is an initiative lead by the University at Albany-SUNY to build the capacity of young scientists across the Americas to analyze climate change-induced phenomena. Mathias Vuille, Senior ECPA Fellow and Associate Professor at the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences of the University at Albany, explained […]
The Fulbright Regional Network for Applied Research (NEXUS) concluded another year of successful research in the Americas at the Scholar Symposium “New Connections for a Changing Climate” held in Washington DC on September 18-19, 2013. Dan Kammen, Fulbright NEXUS Lead Scholar, and three other Senior ECPA Fellows– Jeff Soule, Frank Lowenstein, and Janaki R.R. Alavalapati […]
On August 7-8, the ECPA Energy Efficiency Working Group convened the Second Seminar on Innovation, Science, and Technology for the Energy Efficient Development of Central America in Guatemala City to address energy efficiency in public transport. Experts from Central and South American countries shared their experiences on energy efficiency in this sector as a critical […]
ECPA Caribbean Manager, Kevin de Cuba, traveled to Trinidad & Tobago on August 21-23 to introduce the Closed Loop Cycle Production concept (CLCP) to key stakeholders from the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation network. This project was successfully implemented in Ecuador and will be replicated in Trinidad and Tobago, thus contributing to the raising awareness and building […]
In March 2013 the National Energy Council (CNE) of El Salvador imparted a training session on improved driving techniques for defensive driving and fuel-savings. Through two days of intensive practical training, CNE assessed and reoriented the motor vehicle operation skills of eight government institutions. Participating agencies included the Ministry of Finance, Economy, Environment and Natural […]
Richard Huber at the Porto21 World Forum held in Lisbon, Portugal The Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean ECPA initiative was presented at the Porto 21 World Forum held in Lisbon, Portugal, on April 16 and 17. The initiative implemented by the Organization of American States with support from the U.S. Department of […]
Washington, D.C. – ECPA Senior Fellow Roger Duncan, former General Manager at Austin Energy and a clean energy specialist, was in Brazil from April 22-25 to participate in a series of meetings and events around renewable energy and energy efficiency. During his visit in Porto Alegre, he offered a presentation at the 2nd Forum on […]
In this photo, Ambassador Anne Andrew and ECPA grant recipients San Jose – At the University of Costa Rica Planetarium in San Pedro, U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica, Anne Andrew, announced the names of the five winners of the Clean Energy Regional Competition. Launched in 2012 by the U.S. Department of State, the aim of […]
(Photo credits: Americas Quarterly) On April 29, prior to his visit to Latin America and the Caribbean, President Obama was interviewed by Americas Quarterly to discuss the purpose of his visit. The topic of energy was on the President’s agenda for his sixth trip to the region. “Our hemisphere produces one quarter of the world’s […]
Lima, Peru – The Andean Climate Change Interandean Observatory Network (ACCIÓN), an initiative funded by the U.S. State Department and UNESCO’s International Hydrologic Program (IHP), invited atmospheric and environmental science students from Andean countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile) to participate in the First Climate School on “Andean Climate Variability and Change”, which will take place […]
Washington, D.C. – ECPA hosted four events to celebrate Earth Day in support of sustainable development and environmental protection. Celebrations began with the webinar Partners of the Americas and the Senior ECPA Fellows Program held on April 19 to address the issue of sustainable energy. The webinar was moderated by two Senior ECPA Fellows specialized […]
La Paz, Bolivia – The ECPA Energy Efficiency Working Group and the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy (MHE) of Bolivia co-hosted an energy efficiency workshop to discuss the guidelines of the Strategic Plan for Energy Efficiency and Conservation for the Plurinational State of Bolivia in a two-day event held on April 23-24, 2013. Nearly 120 […]
In the 18 months since the launch of its project Improving Access to Clean Energy in Latin America, ECPA grantee Trees, Water & People (TWP) has reached over 15,000 people in Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador with energy efficient and renewable energy solutions. In Honduras, over 2500 small scale solar lighting and mobile phone charging […]
The ECPA Energy Efficiency Working Group and the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy of Bolivia (MHE) are organizing the workshop Proposals for the Establishment of a New National Energy Efficiency Policy for the Plurinational State of Bolivia, to be held on April 23 -24, 2013 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in La Paz. The event […]
The Solar Professionals’ Academy of the Americas (SPAA), an ECPA initiative implemented by Solar Energy International (SEI), will provide training on the design, installation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic systems in Central America and Mexico. The goal is to support private sector engagement in the clean energy industry. Microenterprise business planning, entrepreneurship and clean energy […]
Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia—The Department of Sustainable Development of the Organization of American States (OAS), through its Caribbean Sustainable Energy Program (CSEP), and the ECPA Energy Efficiency Working Group hosted a workshop on energy efficiency designs for office and public buildings in tropical climates. The event took place at the Bay Gardens Inn in Rodney […]
A research project led by the University of Costa Rica (UCR) Research Center for Electrochemistry and Energy Chemistry (CELEQ) aims to create a new clean energy model applicable to the coffee milling industry in Central America. The model takes advantage of power generation opportunities and improves energy efficiency to address the problem of climate change […]
The Government of Ecuador and the OAS hosted a ceremony to award the first “Cradle-to-Cradle” (C2C) certification in Latin America. The event took place on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at the Radisson hotel in Quito. The C2C certification is the result of the work conducted by the Closed Looped Cycle Production in the Americas Initiative […]
Austin, Texas—Mark Lambrides, OAS Chief of the Energy and Climate Change Mitigation Section of the OAS Department of Sustainable Development, spoke at the VIII Latin American Forum hosted by University of Texas and the Council of the Americas. The event brought together high level officials from the region, including Hon. Edwin Rodas, Vice Minister of […]
The ECPA initiative for Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean recently announced the recipients of 14 grants designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations and community associations to build sustainable communities and contribute to sustainable urban development. The initiative comes at a crucial time as the cities of the Americas are […]
Basseterre, Saint Kitts—On February 20, 2013, A workshop was held in Basseterre, Saint Kitts, to share the results of a study that looks into the potential for building an electricity interconnection via submarine cables between the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis and Puerto Rico. Senior government officials, electricity utility representatives and other key energy […]
Global Conversations, a climate change blog with over 2.5 million likes on Facebook and more than 24,000 followers on Twitter, hosted the ECPA Week with two blogs on forestry conservation authored by Senior ECPA Fellows Paul Westbrook and Dr. Janaki R. R. Alavalapati. This digital collaboration between Global Conversations and the ECPA Clearinghouse aims to […]
Washington, DC—On February 2, 2013, United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, referred to ECPA as a successful regional initiative while addressing the OAS Permanent Council. Together with two other projects —Connecting the Americas 2022 (an ECPA initiative) and the public-private partnership Pathways for Prosperity— ECPA was highlighted as a ‘good example of dynamism for […]
On February 18, Senior ECPA Fellow, Mathias Vuille, an atmospheric science professor at University at Albany State University of New York – SUNY, shared with CBS News his opinion on climate change and severe weather conditions in the Northeast of the United States. He reminded viewers that, in order to look at the big picture, […]
On November 12, 2012, the Institute of the Americas hosted the Chile Energy Roundtable in Santiago. Participants highlighted the importance of increasing transmission infrastructure and the need to connect the nation’s two electric grids in an effort to counteract high energy costs and strike a balance between sustainable development and economic growth. Addressing an audience […]
On November 14-15, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) of Peru and the Department of Sustainable Development of the Organization of American States (OAS), which operates the ECPA Clearinghouse, co-hosted the II Regional Symposium on Energy Efficiency in Lima. The Symposium addressed specific activities intended to foster energy efficiency at the national and regional […]
Peace Corps and Trees, Water & People (TWP) are training Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) to build clean cookstoves. The knowledge shared with local community leaders through this program provides communities with the skills required to build and maintain clean cookstoves. In the small rural village of Rio Abajo, in the municipality of Chalatenango, a total […]
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has selected 20 outstanding scholars to engage in collaborative thinking, analysis, problem-solving and multi-disciplinary research on improving the quality of life through environmental changes in the Western Hemisphere in one of three inter-related topics: Science, Technology and Innovation; Entrepreneurship; and Sustainable Energy. Approximately one-third […]
From November 2012 to September 2013, Juan Carlos Lopez, Senior Research Scientist at the Colombian National Coffee Research Center (CENICAFE) will participate in a scientific exchange in Peoria, Illinois. The purpose of this exchange is to study and develop the potential uses of the coffee waste stream as a source of biomass for generating renewable […]
In Peru, the Peace Corps, Trees, Water & People and PowerMundo are collaborating to implement the ECPA-supported initiative, “Improving Access to Clean Energy in Latin America”. As part of this multi-country initiative, PowerMundo and Peace Corps are working with Peruvians to provide light and clean energy in rural communities, thereby creating a new market niche […]
Central America faces severe deforestation and forest degradation due to myriad socioeconomic and institutional reasons. Since the region is part of the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot, biodiversity conservation becomes an even greater priority. Dr. Alavalapati, ECPA Fellow from Virginia Tech, traveled to Belmopan, Belize, on November 6-8, 2012 to host the Forum “Building Capacities for Sustainable […]
2010-04-21Nuestra visión es un futuro energético y climático sostenible para el Hemisferio
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