Institute of the Americas 2021 Annual Report

Energy & Sustainability Program

transition should look like particularly as the world descends on Glasgow for COP-26. Shaping Policy In an e ort to shape the emerging debate across the hemisphere as to the role of hydrogen, we produced a unique infographic series. Starting with discussions at our Energy Steering Committee meetings, we developed our infographic concept. We subsequently engaged with government o cials, investors, regulators and consultants to further our analysis for the series. Through 10 questions, we analyzed the landscape for hydrogen development and potential in 14 markets in Latin America – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colom bia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, and Uruguay. In August and September, we collaborated with the Honduran Private Sector Council (COHEP) and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) on a series of workshops aimed at producing a roadmap for key policy and regulatory reforms in the Honduran energy sector. The “road map” de nes the critical next steps for the energy sector as the country elects a new government in Novem ber. Copies of the road map were presented to all the major political parties and candidates. Addressing Energy Access and Energy Poverty Beginning in February, in an e ort supported by the Sempra Foundation to assess energy access in the State of Baja California, we organized a bina tional team of policy, regulatory, and community expert including Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF) and Pronatura. Our nal report, concluded in September, features a set of interactive maps, an

action plan and roadmap for project development that aims to improve energy access and reduce energy poverty for the most vulnerable popula tion centers and households in Baja California. On October 14, we convened our rst-ever hybrid event with a keynote followed by a roundtable “Debating Energy Security & Climate Action.” Discussion focused on nancing and the urgent need to reduce emissions yet not compromise energy access, but most of all, how to manage volatility. Increasing Energy Literacy In October, we kicked o the third edition of Baja California Energy Ambassadors, a key piece of our energy literacy e orts. The Ambassadors program consists of a series of high-level presentations and breakout discussions for non-energy sector professionals in Baja California.

Thought Leadership In 2021, the Energy & Sustainability Program continued to shape and inform the public policy and investment discourse across our hemisphere. Our team based in La Jolla, CA and non-resident fellows in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Canada and England strives to enhance the debate of critical energy and sustainability issues through timely events and panels, thought leadership pieces including reports, op-eds and policy briefs as well as direct engagement with governments. Our e orts this year also counted videos, interviews and infographics. Our work and programs would not be possible without the nancial and intellectual support of our Steering Committee and sponsors.

In May, we marked the 30th anniversary of the La Jolla Energy Conference. We celebrated by hosting several programs throughout the month, as well as several “Deep Dive” inter views. Invite-only Virtual Roundtables each Wednesday provided the occasion for debate and discussion of four scenarios: 1) Elections and Energy; 2) Future of Transport; 3) Electrify ing Everything; 4) Future of Hydrocarbons. These sessions formed the basis for policy briefs published in June, July and August. Our additional research and thought-leader ship pieces included rethinking the energy matrix in Trinidad & Tobago, discussion of changes in power generation dispatch criterion in Mexico, Brazil’s new gas law, Uruguay’s energy sector, how the region’s utilities can chart a new path post-COVID, and what a just

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