During the event, which will take place 1 and 2 October in Panama, there will be discussion of the benefits associated with renewable energy projects in the region.
From a press release issued by the National Environmental Authority (ANAM):
The Energy and Environment Partnership with Central America (EEP) will hold the XXII Regional Sustainable Energy Forum on 1 and 2 October in Panama.
The National Council of Protected Areas has rejected the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) submitted by Grupo Tomza, for the second time.
On February 2010 the National Protected Areas Council (CONAP) rejected the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the grounds that "in Punta de Manabique there cant be a liquefied gas plant since it is a recovery and conservation area for endangered species... "
The regulator has still not issued an opinion on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) submitted by Grupo Tomza to build a gas plant in Punta de Manabique.
The new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) presented by the company includes moving the location of the plant by about 500 meters to ensure that the impact on flora and fauna will be temporary and can be mitigated through forestation plans.
On approval of the project, Grupo Tomza will confirm its investment of $ 27.7 million in the construction of the terminal.
The new environmental impact assessment (EIA) submitted by the company, which is currently under consideration, suggests moving the location of the plant by about 500 meters in order to ensure that the impact on flora and fauna will be temporary and can be mitigated by forestation plans .
Tomza Group has introduced a new environmental impact study to construct a liquefied gas storage plant in Izabal, Guatemala.
An article by Lorena Alvarez in Elperiodico.com.gt notes that in February 2010 the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) had rejected the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the grounds that "Manabique tip can not be a site for a liquefied gas plant because it is a recovery area and conservation area for endangered species "
Commercial credit institutions lack the necessary information to innovate and provide new financing schemes for clean energies.
Most of Central America’s banking institutions manage limited information and systematized criteria when financing renewable energy and energy efficiency ventures. This is a significant drawback for the development of this industry in the isthmus.
The retail multinational will execute a regional program called “Planeta Vida” (“Planet Life”).
It includes converting illumination systems at its 350 parking lots across Central America.
The project will be completed in 2012, and could reduce the company’s energy consumption in 50%, reported Elfinancierocr.com. In Costa Rica, the company invested $1 million in this initiative.
They will be given in ‘environmental’ loans to Central American small and medium enterprises.
These resources, loaned by the German Development Bank (KFW), will be administered by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).
In a press release, the bank stated that this program, called ‘Environmental Credit Program for Small and Medium Enteprises’, will foster investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy generation and environmentally friendly technologies.
The new version of Biofuels Sustainability Scorecard, enables to anticipate the social and environmental impact of biofuel projects.
Update incorporates feedback from five regional consultations and addresses concerns regarding food security, indigenous peoples and biodiversity preservation.
The Inter-American Development Bank has released a new version of its Biofuels Sustainability Scorecard, which will enable users to better anticipate the impacts of potential biofuel projects on sensitive issues such as indigenous rights, carbon emissions from land use change, and food security.