Novozymes and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) signed a three year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the development of sustainable advanced bioenergy solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The collaboration responds to the United Nation’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative to achieve universal energy access, improve energy efficiency, and increase global renewable energy use.
“This partnership, which represents one more example of the excellent collaboration between Denmark and the IDB,marks an exciting step forward in the field of sustainable energy. Novozymes’ expertise and commitment to SE4ALL will guide the region as it pioneers new energy solutions,” said Alejandro Alvarez von Gustedt, the IDB representative in Europe.
“We are excited to get this off the ground to start working closely alongside the IDB to support the development of bioenergy projects in Latin America,” said Sebastian Søderberg, Vice President of Biomass Conversion at Novozymes. “This is an initial, but important step towards realizing the great potential around bioenergy as a sustainable source of energy on the continent. Just as important, it gets us yet another step closer towards a biobased economy; a sustainable economy based on food, feed, fuel, and materials derived from plants and waste – sourced and refined locally.”
Novozymes and the IDB will organize workshops to advance best practices for deploying sustainable bioenergy. Along with technical assistance and capacity building, the two organizations will work jointly to identify opportunities and specific countries in which to develop bioenergy solutions in areas including clean cooking, waste to energy, and advanced biofuels for transportation. Over the coming months, the MoU will be put into action, building on the organizations’ commitment to SE4ALL and relevant public-private partnerships.
About the Inter-American Development Bank
The IDB is a multilateral financial institution supporting Latin America and the Caribbean’s efforts to reduce poverty and inequality, and to bring about development in a sustainable, climate-friendly way. Established in 1959, it is the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean, with a strong commitment to achieving measurable results.
About Novozymes
Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation and a leading producer of enzymes that turn biomass into bioenergy. Together with customers across a broad array of industries Novozymes creates tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, improving its customers' business and the use of our planet's resources. With over 700 products used in 130 countries, Novozymes’ bioinnovations increase industrial performance and safeguard the world’s resources by offering superior and sustainable solutions for tomorrow’s ever-changing marketplace.
For more information about LAC SE4ALL, the Latin America and the Caribbean Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, visit LAC SE4ALL.