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LAC Nations Debate Renewable Energy
By Keith R | September 21, 2006
Topics: Biofuels, Energy & the Environment, Environmental Protection, Renewable Sources | 1 Comment »
The Argentine environment blog “Comunicación Ambiental” published yesterday a good summary (in Spanish) of the discussions in the Third Annual Regional Forum on Renewable Energy now underway in Buenos Aires.
Read the entire article at this link.
For those who do not read Spanish, the Forum discussed the progress (or lack thereof) in meeting the commitments set at the 2004 Bonn Summit on renewables. [If you wish to review the commitments specifically made by Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) nations, click this link.]
Hugo Altomonte of the UN Economic Commission on Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC/CEPAL) noted the commitment made by Brazil to hydroelectric and biomass, the US$55 million fund Mexico has created for investing in renewable energy projects, and Central America’s efforts to coordinate international aid to renewable energy projects in that subregion.
Gerardo Honty of the Centro de Estudios Uruguayos de Tecnologías Apropiadas (CEUTA – Center for Uruguayan Studies of Appropriate Technologies) expressed reservations about the Brazilian biomass program, worried that it might accelerate deforestation in that country.
Mónica Servant of Argentina’s national Energy Secretariat discussed the subsidy program for renewable energy projects generating under 15mW.
Daniel Bouille of Fundación Bariloche outlined a sensible principles for a sustainable renewable energy policy:
- create a regulatory framework; organize a clear policy with clear priorities;
- promote education/training in these technologies;
- provide incentives that reduce the costs of renewable energy projects compared to conventional energy projects;
- emphasize the complementary nature of renewables with conventional sources, rather than place them in competition with the latter;
- promote rational energy use behavior;
- take into account cultural barriers with a view to promoting consensus behind use of renewable energy sources.
Tags: América Central, biomass, Bonn Summit, Brasil, Brazil, Central America, CEPAL, CEUTA, Comunicación Ambiental, deforestation, ECLAC, energía renovable, energia renovável, Fundación Bariloche, Mexico, renewable energy
September 22nd, 2006 at 21:14
Excellent points. Biomass can only be seen as a VERY short term solution to maintaining the existing fleets of destructive transportation systems. It is no solution to our more pressing environmental problems (which it exacerbates), which require far more innovative technologies.
Keep up the Great Work!