Latin America and the Caribbean has the cleanest electricity in the world, thanks to the dominant role of hydroelectricity in our region. But the Paris Agreement should still matter to the region's energy ministers. Fossil power plants, particularly those burning natural gas, could be incompatible with the agreement’s goals. We recently published an article in Environmental … [Read more...] about Is there too much natural gas to meet the Paris Agreement’s objectives?
How cash transfers can support the fight against climate change
Have you ever wondered what relationship exists between climate change and cash transfer programs? Did you know that through these programs you can fight climate change? Today we publish in the journal Nature Sustainability a study that evaluates how to use cash transfer programs to alleviate the negative impact of carbon taxes on poor and vulnerable households. One of the … [Read more...] about How cash transfers can support the fight against climate change
Energy subsidy reform in Ecuador could yield social, fiscal and climate benefits
We often hear that the fight against climate change is one of the most urgent priorities for the region. But consider the case of Ecuador. The country is going through fiscal and social difficulties. Can countries like Ecuador attend all three fiscal, social and environmental priorities at once? While it is not an easy task, a recent IDB study suggests that carefully replacing … [Read more...] about Energy subsidy reform in Ecuador could yield social, fiscal and climate benefits
Is it possible to achieve carbon-free prosperity?
Last year the top climate scientist of the world presented a report that answers the call nations tasked them to study: what will be the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and what paths could the world take to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C? The answer to the first question is grim: What is at stake if we do not stabilize climate change … [Read more...] about Is it possible to achieve carbon-free prosperity?
How much is it going to cost to decarbonize the transport sector in Costa Rica?
President Carlos Alvarado together with the first lady, Claudia Dobles, recently presented the Decarbonization Plan of Costa Rica. The plan is based on the Paris Agreement that seeks to limit the increase in global temperature well below 2 ° C above pre-industrial levels. Climate science is clear; to get there we need to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero between 2050 … [Read more...] about How much is it going to cost to decarbonize the transport sector in Costa Rica?