Sostenibilidad

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 reached an estimated 4,200-terawatt hours (TWh), setting the highest ever contribution from a renewable energy source (International Hydropower Association, 2019).

Climate change is not only an environmental challenge, but also a political, economic and social one. Projections indicate that, if the current emissions trajectory continues, the global average temperature of the planet will exceed by 3°C the average temperature observed at the beginning of the 19th century, generating an unprecedented impact on the history of humankind.

The era of planning is here. As part of the economic growth of countries, infrastructure is one of the most important ways to meet the goals and commitments that each nation has set for itself. Infrastructure is the central driver of each country’s vision for the future; however, for it to be sustainable and resilient, different national and international agreements and plans must be taken into account.

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?

Bolivia and Jamaica represent two faces of the geography of our atmosphere. While Bolivia offers breathtaking snowy mountains, typical of the Andes Cordillera, Jamaica brings paradise-like Caribbean beaches to the picture. Both countries sum up an aggregated population of nearly 15 million, a territory of more than 1.1 million square kilometers, and an impressive geographic, cultural and ethnic diversity.

Chile issued the first sovereign green bond of the American Continent on June 17th and marked a turning point for the Latin American region. With a USD 1.4 bn at 3.5% interest rate and dollar-denominated, the bond was overwhelmingly received by international investors and ground-breaking in several ways. More than 300 investors expressed interest for the transaction at an order book of almost USD 7 bn and with the lowest interest rate that Chile has ever paid.

The choices we make on how we travel can have a big impact on the climate. Just ask Greta Thunberg. The Swedish activist shuns flying, which generates roughly 100g of CO2 per km, in favor of the train clocking in at 15g per km.

Thinking about Perú brings to life images of breathtaking green valleys that are lost in sight, vibrant Inca infrastructure, and a world-class cultural and natural richness evident in its people, landscapes and culinary traditions. This 28th of July, we celebrate the social diversity and enriching culture of The Republic of Perú, on the anniversary of its Independence.