CCREEE Supports Regional Dialogue on Energy & Gender and E-Mobility

(Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Press Release) Ministers of Energy, Permanent Secretaries and other high-level officials from Latin America and the Caribbean gathered in Montego Bay, Jamaica February 27-28 to discuss the most pressing energy-related issues of our time.

The Fourth Ministerial Meeting was held under the theme ‘Energy Resilience and Investment Opportunities’, which is fitting for the region served by the Partnership; a region fighting to establish and maintain resilience – in light of its many vulnerabilities – and a region which struggles to secure financing for climate and energy initiatives, as many countries are considered middle-income, yet have limited national budgets.

The Ministerial Meeting fostered public-private policy dialogue between business and government leaders in the Americas on priorities, challenges, and opportunities for economic growth and development. Discussions centred on issues relating to financial mechanisms for clean and renewable energy, investment opportunities in energy efficiency, electric mobility as well as strategies to increase private sector engagement in energy infrastructure development.

The Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency’s (CCREEE) Energy Efficiency Expert, Cornelia Schenk, was a panellist in a side event entitled, ‘Enabling the Electric Mobility Ecosystem’ where, along with other experts, she examined the region’s readiness for the anticipated electric vehicle (EV) revolution. During the discussion, Ms Schenk noted that as the sector transitions, electrification needs to be accompanied by more inclusive transport planning and management. “This means linking the transport and electricity sectors with urban planning, and transport demand planning and management to develop truly integrated solutions. It’s not just about having more EVs,” Ms Schenk said. She also noted that EV batteries present several considerations: “batteries are a factor in the total cost of ownership (TCO) and we need to develop strategies now both for the sustainable sourcing of materials and end of life management, which includes repurposing and recycling.”

Read more at: Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Source: CARICOM TODAY