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Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Value Chains in Latin America and the Caribbean
Get PDFThis document is a critical analysis of the role that Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) can play in the global energy transition and presents recommendations to take advantage of the development opportunity that exist. The document addresses each of the five stages of the value chain - extraction, refining, manufacture, market use, and end of life - focusing on three key technologies: solar panels, wind turbines and lithium batteries. For each stage, opportunities, challenges and recommendations for LAC are defined, focusing in particular on Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Venezuela, given that these countries have significant mineral reserves, existing mining industries and/or more advanced industry that could participate in manufacturing stages of the value chain. The document is based on four recent research projects prepared by the IDB, which report on the efforts and work carried out by the Bank to promote and encourage the development of LAC in this area. The main messages of the document are summarized as follows: (1) The global energy transition presents an important economic opportunity for the development of LAC, while the production of these technologies contributes to the global fight against climate change. (2) LAC has a unique advantage in concentrating the majority of critical minerals worldwide at competitive extraction costs and to capture greater benefits in the value chain, it must exploit and expand its comparative advantages: mineral reserves, qualified labor, strategic positioning as a commercial ally of the United States and Europe, and access to port infrastructure for exports. (3) Mining extraction requires achieving and maintaining a social license to operate, so industry must go beyond national legislation on environmental and social issues. (4) Strategic alliances between countries in the region are key to compete globally in more complex stages of the value chain. (5) For the end of life of clean energy technologies, the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework generates deficiencies in the valorization of the resource, lack of private investment, and encourages informality
Navigating the energy transition in Latin America and the Caribbean: volatility and price signaling in short-term electricity markets
Get PDFThe observed increase in fossil fuel prices, exacerbated by extreme climate events such as prolonged droughts, has led to significant short-term electricity price volatility across several markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. Simultaneously, the rapid integration of variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, has introduced new operational challenges for electricity markets. This evolving landscape has intensified the debate on the optimal market design, particularly in terms of economic efficiency and the appropriate price signaling mechanisms during the energy transition. Against this backdrop, key questions arise regarding regulatory adjustments that could improve short-term price signals and ensure an efficient and competitive dispatch. This study examines the fundamental components of short-term electricity markets in Latin America and the Caribbean, identifies international best practices, and assesses the primary drivers of spot price volatility. Additionally, it provides regulatory recommendations aimed at enhancing the integration of variable renewables, strengthening market resilience, and optimizing operational efficiency in electricity markets
Preparation for Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: Cybersecurity Best Practices
No full textThis guide presents a series of best practices for preparing for distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks that target cyberassets/business processes mainly to disable or disrupt their activity by creating an abnormal load on their resources, benefiting from the current trend of linking the organizations infrastructure to the internet. The document was written for the chief information security officer (CISO), certified cybersecurity methodologies professionals, certified cybersecurity practitioners, cybersecurity technology professionals (cybersecurity architects), and computer network/IT/system professionals. This publication is part of the "Cybersecurity Best Practices" collection, a compendium of practices, methodologies and recommendations in cybersecurity oriented to organizations, developed by the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), and adapted in this series by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with the objective of facilitating access to this body of knowledge throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region
Using Subsidies to Enhance Access to Maternal and Newborn Health Care in Remote Villages
Get PDFThis paper investigates the effects of alleviating remoteness constraints on access to quality maternal and newborn health care. Using a cluster-randomized controlled trial, we provided transportation vouchers to impoverished pregnant women residing in remote Nicaraguan villages located approximately five hours from the nearest health center, along with accommodations vouchers for maternal waiting homes. These vouchers were provided to the women and to companions of their choosing. The subsidies increased the utilization of quality antenatal care, institutional delivery, and quality postnatal care for mothers and newborns. Additionally, neonatal and infant mortality rates, as well as fertility rates, decreased in treated communities five years after the intervention began
Inter-American Development Bank Sustainability Report 2023
No full textIn our annual Sustainability Report, we share our approach to sustainability and showcase projects and publications we financed and prepared with partners to contribute to the regions sustainable development. We share key figures on the footprint of our lending portfolio, the sustainable finance we provide, and the application of our environmental and social policies, including risk trends for the IDBs portfolio. We close the report with information about our corporate sustainability, reviewing efforts to reduce our direct footprint where we live and work. This report covers Jan. 1Dec. 31, 2023
Research Insights: How Do Natural Disasters and the Efficacy of Disaster Relief Efforts Affect Political Trust
Get PDFThe 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Mexico City in 2017 led to an 11% drop in general political trust. Proximity to relief efforts was found to potentially mitigate the negative impact on political trust. Disaster prevention and management can provide a critical trust-building opportunity
Research Insights: Can Exchange Rate Management Improve Welfare in Small Open Economies?
Get PDFBy reducing macroeconomic volatility, exchange rate management can generate significant welfare gains in economies with a high degree of trade openness. A country like Singapore, with trade openness (exports imports) at 280% of GDP, has benefited significantly from managing the exchange rate, showing 1.5% welfare gains in permanent consumption, when compared to the mainstream interest rate rule in which the exchange rate floats freely. In the case of an emerging free-floater economy like Chile, any degree of trade openness above 100% (currently at 70%) would also justify using a managed exchange rate policy that avoids excessive exchange rate volatility
Research Insights: How Do Climate Change-Induced Hurricanes Affect Sovereign Debt in the Caribbean?
Get PDFA survey of relevant literature identifies a direct link between anthropogenic climate change and increased hurricane intensity, notably through a 10% increase in rainfall and associated damages. Caribbean countries are particularly vulnerable, as severe hurricanes lead to notable increases in public debt, compounded by climate change impacts. The study underscores the urgency of integrating climate change considerations into economic and fiscal policies because the impact of climate change is pronounced and immediate
Inclusion Talent Attraction and Selection. Guide to Promote Gender Equality in Latin American and Caribbean Companies: Dimension 2
No full textInclusive talent attraction and selection is one of the eight dimensions of the Guide to promote gender equality in Latin American and Caribbean companies. This guide aims to provide direction to the business sector in designing and implementing measures that promote equal opportunities for men and women in workplace environments. It includes evidence, supporting tools, and both regional and international case studies. Additionally, it offers clear roadmaps with flexible recommendations adaptable to diverse business contexts and needs
Food Insecurity and Climate Vulnerability: Empirical Evidence for Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean
Get PDFAgri-food systems face unprecedented challenges in feeding a growing population while preserving natural resources. Climate variability is a global phenomenon but its impacts on food systems are highly heterogenous. Economic, social, geographical, and environmental factors might increase or reduce a regions vulnerability. This study uses panel data analysis to explore the channels through which climate vulnerability affects food security in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), including subregional analysis. The results confirm that climate vulnerability is closely linked to food security and its dimensions, namely: availability, access, use and stability. These findings provide important insights for LAC countries to take action on improving climate resilience for food systems