Panama is planning the construction of a 670 MW combined cycle thermal power plant using natural gas as the main fuel and diesel as a backup fuel for contingencies.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", from CentralAmericaData's Business Intelligence Unit, provides an updated list of public and private construction projects that have submitted environmental impact studies (EIA) to the respective institutions in each country.
Until December 16, 2022, businesses in Guatemala will have to comply with the rules contained in the Regulations for Environmental Evaluation, Control and Monitoring.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) reported that after the publication of Government Agreement 317-2019 on December 24, 2019 in the Central American Journal, which reforms Government Agreement 137-2016, the period was extended by three years so that all projects, works, industries or productive activities present their respective environmental instruments in order to function.
Empresa Portuaria Quetzal is putting out to tender the evaluation and diagnostic work on the environmental management of activities at the maritime terminal.
Guatemala Government Purchase 8344043:
"Requirements are for the identification and description of all of Empresa Portuaria Quetzal's activities that take place within the port area. Creating abiotic, biotic and baseline socioeconomic studies within the port farm and its area of influence.
Through an alliance with the US Geological Survey, the government of Costa Rica will be carrying out an assessment of aquifers nationwide.
The aim of the evaluation is to obtain images of the aquifers to obtain information on the characteristics of the surface, infrastructure, rocks and vegetation.
Companies have time up until July 2018 to make the necessary modifications to comply with the new environmental rules to avoid fines or even closure of their business.
The government of Guatemala has announced the creation of a one-stop shop to manage environmental permits for social housing construction projects.
Through an agreement between the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) and the Central American Association for Housing, the single window will be implemented to make the process more expeditious.
A report by Funides analyzes the effects of climate change on the country's livestock activity and proposes options for minimizing its impact.
From the executive summary of the report "Climate Change in the Livestock Sector of Nicaragua", by Funides:
In 2016, the livestock sector accounted for 4.7% of Nicaragua's GDP and the agricultural sector accounted for 8.4% of formal employment for that year. The productivity levels of the sector are very heterogeneous, since the sector has a presence in almost all of the country including large, medium and small producers.However, in parts of the sector very traditional paradigms still remain and little investment in the land is being made.In Nicaragua, about 80 percent of the area deforested each year is converted into grassland and livestock activity has been criticized for being one of the activities with the highest emissions of greenhouse gases worldwide.
The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources has filed a criminal suit against Lion Brand of Central America, for alleged violation of environmental standards.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources:
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in Guatemala, announced today that it has filed a criminal lawsuit against the company Lion Brand de Centro America for multiple offenses committed against the environment.
One of the new features of the new Regulation on Evaluation, Control and Environmental Monitoring is that category A and B1 environmental diagnostic must be subject to public consultation.
From a statement issued by Agexport:
The Environmental Management Unit at AGEXPORT, wishes to inform the export sector of the publication of Government Agreement 137-2016, Regulations Assessment, Environmental Monitoring and Control, which was published on July 12, 2016 in the newspaper Diario de Centroamérica.
The Salvadoran government has filed a lawsuit against Ingenio La Magdalena for the crime of environmental pollution caused by a spill of molasses in the river with the same name.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources:
$4.9 million is the economic cost of the spill of molasses in the river La Magdalena. This cost was calculated based on four areas: compensation to affected communities in terms of their livelihoods (fishing and tourism); expenses and costs for ecosystem restoration; administrative costs incurred by the central and municipal government; and measures for the conversion of La Magdalena mill.
Operations have been resumed following an agreement between representatives of government, community, and the mining company Minerales de Occidente.
An article on Laprensa.hn reports that "...Until a few days ago, Minerales de Occidente had halted its operations, embroiled in resolving protests, demonstrations and strikes in the area where it operates, on the part of groups representing the community who questioned operation of the mine."
A report by Conservation Strategy Fund considers four options for the layout of the power line between Colombia and Panama.
While the main companies involved in the project, Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A. and the Colombian state run Interconexión Eléctrica (ISA), are still in the "feasibility and design" phase, the Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF), "an international organization that trains people in the use of economic science to protect forests, rivers and other ecosystems", has drawn up a report on the financial costs, environmental, social and security risks, and suggested "... four possible routes on which to develop the power interconnection project. "
From May 17 to 20 2016 the Latin America and Caribbean World Forum on Resources 2016, International Conference on Sustainable Construction and III Green Expo will be held in San Jose, Costa Rica.
The GBC-CR, the World Resources Forum (WRF) and the United Nations Program for Environment (UNEP) will join their expertise and enthusiasm in order to develop a single global event for the Latin American region.