Sustainable Energy in Latin America and the Caribbean: Potential for the Future
Executive Summary (excerpt)
This document aims to address research, development, and innovation (RD&I) issues regarding the use of renewable energy resources in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This is fundamental for decreasing natural risks and saving biodiversity. Besides, it will greatly improve the living conditions of communities that are not connected to power grids.
An overview of the global and regional energy situation is introduced, indicating the risks of maintaining the existing structure of the World Energy Matrix, with its highly depending on fossil fuels. Those risks include the quick depletion of proven oil reserves in relation to global oil consumption, the environmental hazards associated to fossil fuels —especially greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and the consequent global climate change—, and the concentration of world’s reserves in a small number of countries. On the other hand, the potential of the main renewable energy sources (biomass, wind, and
solar energies) in LAC is discussed. And finally, a list of research and development priorities
is presented.
- Issues:
- Infrastructure, Energy, Climate Change, Natural Resources
- Regions:
- Caribbean, Latin America
- Year Published:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Décio Luiz Gazzoni, Ivan Azurdia, Gabriel Blanco, Claudia A. Estrada, Isaias de Carvalho Macedo
- Institutions:
- International Council for Science (ICSU), Government of Mexico, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT, México)