Green hydrogen (GH) has the potential to be a game-changer in the transition to a low-carbon economy. It is emerging as a key player due to its versatility and sustainability and as a promising alternative to decarbonize the “hard to abate” sectors, such as heavy industry, transport and energy, which account for more than 50% of the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The … [Read more...] about Key aspects for managing the environmental and social risks of green hydrogen
Zachary Hurwitz
Zachary D. Hurwitz is Lead Environmental Specialist and Group Head for the Southern Cone at the Environmental and Social Solutions Unit of the Inter-American Development Bank based in Washington, D.C. He has worked in a wide variety of sectors both public and private including energy and extractives, transport, water and sanitation, housing and urban development, natural resources, and healthcare, among others. He has a Master's Degree in Geography and the Environment from the University of Texas at Austin and speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Beyond COVID-19: assessment of health impacts and risks in the new ESPF
COVID-19 has laid bare the importance of assessing the health risks and impacts of development projects. All projects, in one way or another, must now consider the risks posed by the pandemic. Whether it is because protocols must be put in place to prevent large-scale spread, for example, in worker camps, or because a sick workforce may lead to significant delays, considering … [Read more...] about Beyond COVID-19: assessment of health impacts and risks in the new ESPF
Navigating the promises and pitfalls of grievance resolution
Imagine what it feels like to have lost a parent, a sibling, or a loved one, be required to quarantine or socially distance for weeks, and then you find out a large public works project will produce noise and contamination in your neighborhood for the next six months. COVID-related restrictions are still very much in place in several countries, as daily infections and deaths … [Read more...] about Navigating the promises and pitfalls of grievance resolution
Can sustainable hydropower provide more than just electricity?
Can you even have sustainability and hydropower in the same sentence? It’s a question that for years has challenged development practitioners (and bolstered critics) of this renewable source of energy. But the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is taking steps to help answer this question. Hydropower can be massive in scale. In 2018, electricity generation from hydropower … [Read more...] about Can sustainable hydropower provide more than just electricity?
Community-based organizations: the first line of defense for project sustainability
Normally when designing operations at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), we analyze the institutional capacity of the executing agency and corresponding national authorities in order to mitigate environmental and social risks. But, is it possible that we’re keeping local authorities and communities –who are the first to feel the impacts and to supervise mitigation … [Read more...] about Community-based organizations: the first line of defense for project sustainability