Public Policy, Finance & Corporate Sustainability

 

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Preliminary Session Descriptions:

 

   > Wednesday, June 15th - 11:00am-12:30pm (Cedro Room)

Corporate Sustainability Leadership: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage

The business case for sustainability has never been better. By embracing corporate sustainability, many organizations are increasing revenues, reducing costs, improving their reputations, energizing their employees, and better positioning themselves for both the present and the future. Hear from corporate executives and sustainability leaders whose firms are active in Latin America and have managed to successfully rise above environmental compliance to develop strong competitive advantages focused on sustainability.

Speakers:

  • Carlos Dengo, Principal, CDG Environmental Advisors, Costa Rica (Moderator)
  • Ramón de Mendiola, CEO, Florida Ice & Farm Co., Costa Rica
  • Jim Hartzfeld, Managing Director, InterfaceRAISE, USA
  • Sylvain Cuperlier, Vice President of Worldwide Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, Dole Food Company, France
  • Ramon Diago, Champion of Green Initiatives, Real Hotels & Resorts of the Poma Group, Costa Rica

 

 

   > Wednesday, June 15th - 4:00pm-5:30pm (Cedro Room)

Growing the Green Economy: Regulatory and Fiscal Incentives

Imagine Latin American countries being powered by clean energy, mobilized by efficient mass transit, and underpinned by a thriving green economy: how can this be achieved? Recently, several Latin American governments have introduced or updated regulations and fiscal incentives designed to stimulate investment in infrastructure, clean technology, and renewable energy; however, barriers at the policy level remain. This session will discuss how to leverage regulatory and fiscal incentives to help grow Latin America's green economy.

Speakers:

  • Dr. John Wiebe, President & CEO, GLOBE Group, Canada (Moderator)
  • Marcelo Tokman Ramos, Vice President, Vestas South America & Vice President of Government Relations, Vestas Latin America, Chile
  • Dr. Alejandro Peraza García, Director of Electricity & Renewable Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, Mexico
  • Mauricio Salas, Partner, BLP Abogados, Costa Rica

 

 

   > Thursday, June 16th - 11:00am-12:30pm (Real Ballroom)

The Role of the Private Sector in Driving Positive Change toward a Greener Economy

Recent policy changes in Latin America are creating better business conditions for private sector investment in green economy projects. Environment industry and resource sector trends are also opening the door to major business opportunities for clean energy, sustainable transportation, and low-carbon construction which could all have significant long-term economic, social, cultural, and employment benefits. Private sector investments in these areas can also generate sustained and substantial returns for investors and company shareholders. In this session, find out how the private sector will be pivotal in driving positive change toward a greener economy.

Speakers:

  • Jim Hartzfeld, Managing Director, InterfaceRAISE, USA (Moderator)
  • Ernesto Samayoa, Latin America Operations Director, World Environment Center, El Salvador
  • Carlos Enrique González, Principal, Grupo Pelon, Costa Rica
  • Alex Khajavi, CEO & Founder, Nature Air, Costa Rica 
  • Pablo Vargas, CEO, Grupo Britt, Costa Rica
  • Lawrence Pratt, Director de CLACDS, INCAE Business School, Costa Rica

 

 

   > Thursday, June 16th - 2:00pm-3:30pm (Cedro Room)

Innovative Financing for a Low Carbon Economy

Access to financing is a key factor for incubating, enabling, and growing clean technology and renewable energy companies in Latin America and public financing is not always available or viable. Building a vibrant, competitive, low-carbon economy will require collaboration between the public and private sectors to develop innovative project financing models including local ownership, foreign ownership, joint ventures, and public-private partnerships (PPPs). Hear from finance and industry experts as they discuss creative approaches to financing the future green economies of Latin America.

Speakers:

  • Fernando Naranjo, General Manager, Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (Moderator)
  • Yannick Glemarec, Executive Coordinator & Director, United Nations Development Programme - Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF), USA
  • Wilhelm Baumgartner, Regional Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean, E+Co Latin America, Costa Rica
  • Francisco Acuña, CEO & Chairman, InTrust Global Investments, USA

 

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