Informe nacional de monitoreo de la eficiencia energética de la República Argentina, 2014

Para los países de América Latina y el Caribe, el desarrollo económico con mayores niveles de eficiencia energética resulta ser un importante paso hacia el sendero de la sostenibilidad. Asumiendo una perspectiva de mediano plazo, entre los principales factores que movilizan la promoción de la eficiencia energética cabe considerar a la seguridad en el suministro de la energía, la mayor eficiencia en el gasto y el alto potencial de producir ahorros energéticos, las preocupaciones por mitigar los impactos ambientales fruto de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI), lo que obviamente incluye al fenómeno del cambio climático y, en los países en desarrollo, las limitaciones que pudieran generarse en relación a la inversión orientada expandir la oferta energética de los mismos. En los países de América Latina y el Caribe, la calidad de las estadísticas e indicadores de desempeño que permiten cuantificar los resultados de los programas nacionales de eficiencia energética ha sido insuficiente. Para superar esta carencia, la CEPAL ha articulado el Programa Regional BIEE (Base de Indicadores de Eficiencia Energética para América Latina y el Caribe). Siguiendo el proceso técnico-político y la lógica de funcionamiento del programa de análisis y medición de la eficiencia energética más exitoso del mundo, el Programa ODYSSEE desarrollado por la Comisión Europea y gestionado por la agencia Francesa: ADEME (Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie), y con la expectativa de producir un conjunto de indicadores específicos metodológicamente consistentes, que permitan medir la evolución de los programas nacionales de eficiencia energética, analizar los resultados en el tiempo y - como consecuencia - tomar las decisiones de políticas que correspondan, desde la CEPAL se ha encarado la labor de capacitar y coordinar la acción de los países de la región con miras a desarrollar una herramienta común que facilite esta labor.

Energy efficiency and mobility: A roadmap towards a greener economy in Latin America and the Caribbean

Much analysis and proposals on sustainable transport policies have been developed around the world, both at government and research institutions. It is clear that no action will provide the single solution and it is imperative to act simultaneously on: i) improvement of technology in vehicles, leading to increased energy efficiency; ii) the change in driver behavior, to use less fuel per kilometer; iii) reducing the distances traveled per vehicle; and iv) a change in the type of travels towards more sustainable modes of transport.In general, the recommendations for energy efficiency in transport are mainly focused on the first two priorities on the list, while the portfolios of policies —instrumental to the needs of the countries— should use trans-sectoral and multi-dimensional approaches, such as public transport planning and land use. In ECLAC, we consider that the time has come to provide Latin American and Caribbean countries with a deeper understanding and a more strategic vision (and adapted to the realities of the region) on these issues; in this sense, we hope that this document will help countries to improve and further expand their portfolios of energy efficiency policies in the transport sector, in order to achieve the ambitious goals of energy efficiency, needed to ensure a sustainable energy future.

Informe nacional de monitoreo de la eficiencia energética de la República de Chile, 2014

En los países de América Latina y el Caribe, la calidad de las estadísticas e indicadores de desempeño que permiten cuantificar los resultados de los programas nacionales de eficiencia energética ha sido insuficiente. Para superar esta carencia, la CEPAL ha articulado el Programa Regional BIEE (Base de Indicadores de Eficiencia Energética para América Latina y el Caribe). Siguiendo el proceso técnico-político y la lógica de funcionamiento del programa de análisis y medición de la eficiencia energética más exitoso del mundo, el Programa ODYSSEE desarrollado por la Comisión Europea y gestionado por la agencia Francesa: ADEME (Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie), y con la expectativa de producir un conjunto de indicadores específicos metodológicamente consistentes, que permitan medir la evolución de los programas nacionales de eficiencia energética, analizar los resultados en el tiempo y - como consecuencia - tomar las decisiones de políticas que correspondan, desde la CEPAL se ha encarado la labor de capacitar y coordinar la acción de los países de la región con miras a desarrollar una herramienta común que facilite esta labor.

The Chilean system of contributory pensions as locus of rivalry and of a new social compact

This study assesses the contributory pension system in Chile and offers some recommendations for reform, from the viewpoint of social rights that generate expectations of satisfaction. The primary objective of any pension system is to provide income security to the elderly, and contributory pensions must reflect the savings achieved throughout working life in order to guarantee that, for similar levels of effort, similar and proportionate protection will be obtained.

Una promesa y un suspirar: políticas de innovación para PYMES en América Latina

A partir del levantamiento realizado en cuatro países de la región (Argentina, Colombia, México y Uruguay), el presente documento examina las principales reformas y políticas de innovación y pymes realizadas en los últimos años. De este análisis se desprende la escasa vinculación que existe entre estos ámbitos de acción, lo que, dados los rets que enfrenta el mundo de hoy, deben ser vinculados más estrechamente con la sustentabilidad ambiental.

Panorama preliminar de los subsidios y los impuestos a las gasolinas y diésel en los países de América Latina

Esta investigación tiene como objetivo principal la medición de los subsidios para un grupo de países de América Latina y su importancia relativa en el gasto público y en el Producto Interno Bruto (PIB). Así, como la estimación del monto de los impuestos para el grupo de países con subsidios y otro grupo con alto consumo de gasolina y diésel por habitante, sin subsidios pero con por lo menos un impuesto a las gasolinas y diésel. Con base a este marco analítico se estiman las elasticidades precio e ingreso para los grupos, se analizan los resultados y las implicaciones de política sobre los subsidios y la aplicación de impuestos específicos a las gasolinas y diésel.

Eficiencia energética y regulación económica en los servicios de agua potable y alcantarillado

Este documento analiza el consumo de energía en el sector de agua potable y alcantarillado y propone políticas regulatorias para mejorar la eficiencia energética de los prestadores de estos servicios en América Latina y el Caribe. Está dirigido a las agencias de regulación sectorial, así como todas las demás partes interesadas del sector privado y público.

Traffic congestion: the problem and how to deal with it

The text of 194 pages analyses the negative impacts of congestion and the multidisciplinary efforts that are needed to keep it under control, through the design of appropriate policies and measures. Congestion control is part of the development of a strategic vision of how a city should develop which can make it possible to harmonize the needs of mobility, growth and competitiveness, which are so necessary today and in the future, with the sustainability of cities and the improvement of their quality of life.The task is complex and it is not easy to find appropriate solutions. The present publication presents tools for tackling this crucial problem. Everything indicates that it calls for high professional and leadership qualities on the part of the authorities, and that it must have the active support of the citizens.This edition of the Bulletin presents a summary of the main conclusions of the publication and it is stressed that ECLAC can conduct local workshops to analyze the problem and how to tackle it.

An assessment of fiscal and regulatory barriers to deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in Belize

Belize is currently faced with several critical challenges associated with the production, distribution and use of energy. Despite an abundance of renewable energy resources, the country remains disproportionately dependent on imported fossil fuels, which exposes it to volatile and rising oil prices, limits economic development, and retards its ability to make the investments that are necessary for adapting to climate change, which pose a particularly acute threat to the small island states and low-lying coastal nations of the Caribbean. This transition from energy consumption and supply patterns that are based on imported fossil fuels and electricity towards a more sustainable energy economy that is based on environmentally benign, indigenous renewable energy technologies and more efficient use of energy requires concerted action as the country is already challenged by limited fiscal space which reduces its ability to provide some fiscal incentives, which have been proven to be effective tools for the promotion of sustainable energy markets in a number of countries. This report identifies the fiscal and regulatory barriers to implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies in Belize. Data and information were derived from stakeholder consultations conducted within the country. The major result of the assessment is that the transition of policies and plans into tangible action needs to be increased. In this regard, it is necessary to articulate sub-policies of the National Energy Policy to amend the Public Utilities Commission Act, to develop a grid interconnection policy, to establish minimum energy performance standards for buildings and equipment and to develop a public procurement policy. Finally, decisions on renewable energy and energy efficiency-related incentives from the Government formally requires decision-makers to solve what may be extremely complex optimization problems in order to obtain the lowest-cost provision of energy services to society, thereby weighing the cost of revenue losses with the benefits of fuel and infrastructure expansion savings. The establishment of a management system that is efficient, flexible, and transparent, which will facilitate the implementation of the strategic objectives and outputs in the time available, with the financial resources allocated is recommended. Support is required for additional institutional and capacity strengthening.

An assessment of fiscal and regulatory barriers to deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in Curaçao

The current energy systems within Curaçao depend primarily on high cost, imported fossil fuels, and typically constitute power sectors that are characterized by small, inefficient generation plants which result in high energy prices. As a consequence of its dependence on external fuel supplies, Curaçao is extremely vulnerable to international oil price shocks, which can impact on economic planning and foreign direct investment within their industrial sectors. The ability of the successive governments to source capital for economic stimulation and social investment is therefore significantly challenging. Additionally, there is over-dependence on two of the most climate-sensitive economic sectors, namely the tourism and fisheries sectors, but the vulnerabilities of the country to the effects of climate change make adaptation difficult and costly. It is within this context that this report focuses on identification of the fiscal and regulatory barriers to implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in Curaçao with a view of making recommendations for removal of these barriers. Consultations with key Government officials, the private sector as well as civil society were conducted to obtain information and data on the energy sector in the country. Desktop research was also conducted to supplement the information gathered from the consultations. The major result of the assessment is that Curaçao is at an early stage in the definition of its energy sector. Despite some infrastructural legacies of the pre-independence era, as well as a number of recent developments including the modernization and expansion of its windfarms and completion of a modern Electricity Policy, there are still a number of important institutional and policy gaps within the energy sector in Curaçao. The most significant deficiency is the absence of a ministry or Government agency with portfolio responsibility for the energy sector as a whole; this has: limited the degree to which the activities of energy sector stakeholders are coordinated and retarded the development and implementation of a comprehensive national energy policy. The absence of an energy policy, which provides the framework for energy planning, increases investor risk. Also, the lack of political continuity that has emanated from the frequent changes in Government administrations is a concern among stakeholders and has served to reduce investor confidence in particular, and market confidence in general.

Training Report #1- Report on Training Programme Conducted October 2013 in Guyana

This project, "Sustainable Energy in the Caribbean", implemented by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN-ECLAC) will support the following: - Technical assistance to three countries of the Caribbean in the evaluation of existing fiscal systems and regulations as they relate to energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies so as to identify gaps and barriers to implement these technologies and to provide options for their removal  Development of national documents on strengthening fiscal and regulatory systems for at six countries – Guyana, Curacao, Belize, Grenada, Saint Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda. - Provision of technical assistance in proposing innovative fiscal and regulatory incentives to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives in three countries - Development of a training manual on innovative fiscal and regulatory incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives - Implementation of capacity building workshops on best practices to improve the fiscal and management environment with a view to support the employment of EE and RE initiatives - Development of three national (Aruba, The Bahamas and Suriname) energy policies that incorporate strategies for energy efficiency and the employment of renewable energy technologies. These may be used as examples for other Caribbean countries