Department of Sustainable Development

Renewable Energy

The Department supports efforts to advance renewable energy technologies and projects, as well as supporting policies.

Ongoing Projects and Initiatives

“Increasing the Sustainability of the Energy Sector in the Caribbean through Improved Governance and Management”

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean face unique challenges associated with the generation and use of energy. Most Caribbean island nations depend almost exclusively on imported petroleum for their energy, including both electricity generation and transportation. This high level of dependence leaves these countries vulnerable to the volatility of international oil prices and results in a tremendous drain on capital for imports. Likewise, Caribbean islands are particularly vulnerable to the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel consumption such as sea level rise and increased strength and frequency of hurricanes. More...

Global Sustainable Energy Islands Initiative (GSEII) The Global Sustainable Energy Islands Initiative (GSEII), a consortium of international NGOs and multi-lateral institutions, has been organized to support the interest of all small island states and potential donors by bringing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, models, and concepts together in a sustainable plan for small island nations. The GSEII seeks to showcase national efforts to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Eastern Caribbean Geothermal Energy Project (Geo-Caraïbes)

US-Brazil Biofuels Bilateral Agreement

In March 2007 the governments of Brazil and the United States signed a bilateral agreement that established a collaborative partnership to advance the development and use of biofuels in the Americas. The General Secretariat of the Organization of the American States was included in this partnership as a collaborating institution, and as the one that is taking the lead on the implementation of activities toward sustainable bioenergy development projects/programs under this bilateral agreement.

As today, the activities in support of the US-Brazil biofuels bilateral agreement conducted by the OAS are being implemented in El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and St. Kitts and Nevis, as the first beneficiary countries within the partnership. These activities include technical assistance and feasibility studies, support for policy and regulatory reform, and opportunities for human and institutional capacity building and outreach.