Water, Natural Resources & Carbon Management

 

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Preliminary Session Descriptions:

 

> Wednesday, June 15th - 2:00pm-3:30pm (Roble Room)

Maximizing the Value of Carbon Credits through High-Quality Offset Projects

In 2009, Latin America supplied 16 percent of the global carbon credits and, by 2020, potential revenues for carbon offset projects in the region could exceed $40 billion per year. As governments and companies worldwide aim to reduce their carbon footprints, significant opportunities exist for developing better quality credits that will fetch higher market prices and help to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, significant flows of funds from schemes such as CDM and REDD+ could support sustainable development, help conserve biodiversity, and secure vital ecosystem services. Hear from carbon experts and offset project developers about the emerging opportunities in order to maximize the value of carbon credits.

Speakers:

  • Franz Tattenbach, President & CEO, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Canada (Moderator)
  • Arnaud Staib, Director, Rhodia Inc. & Origination Manager, North, Central and South America, Orbeo, USA
  • Dr. Edmundo Castro, Director of Carbon Neutral Unit, EARTH University, Costa Rica
  • Eduardo Piquero, Director for Latin America, South Pole Carbon Asset Management Ltd., Mexico 
  • Yannick Glemarec, Executive Coordinator & Director, United Nations Development Programme - Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF), USA

 

> Wednesday, June 15th - 4:00pm-5:30pm (Real Ballroom)

Biodiversity and the Value of Latin America's Natural Capital

It is widely acknowledged that well-functioning ecosystems that are high in biodiversity provide reliable and clean air and water, productive soils, and healthy and balanced flora and fauna, the total value of which has an ever-growing importance to a country's national wealth. Recently, agreements and business partnerships between government, industry, and NGOs are helping to preserve biodiversity, acknowledge this value, and promote the sustainable, economic benefits of developing Latin America's "natural capital". This session will explore the business case for sustainably developing Latin America's rich biodiversity.

Speakers:

  • Dr. Rodrigo Gamez, President & Co-founder, National Institute of Biodiversity (INBio), Costa Rica (Moderator)
  • Franz Tattenbach, President & CEO, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Canada
  • Dr. Grethel Aguilar Rojas, Regional Director for Meso America and Caribbean Initiative, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Costa Rica
  • Margarita Astralaga, Regional Director, Latin America & the Caribbean, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Panama

 

 

> Thursday, June 16th - 9:00am-10:30am (Real Ballroom)

Achieving Carbon Independence by Growing the Clean Economy

While collectively responsible for only 6 percent of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, many Latin American countries are working to reduce their carbon footprints while building greener economies and enhancing their energy-security. Costa Rica, in particular, has the ambitious goal of becoming the first "carbon neutral country" in the world by 2021. However, the economies of most Latin American countries rely heavily on fossil fuels to power their economic growth and prosperity. This session will explore how smart planning, policy direction, clean technology, and strategic investment can lead to increased independence from carbon-based fuels while growing the clean economy.

Speakers:

  • Lawrence Pratt, Director de CLACDS, INCAE Business School, Costa Rica (Moderator)
  • Dr. Andrei Bourrouet Vargas, Vice Minister of Energy, Ministry of Environment, Energy & Telecommunications, Government of Costa Rica
  • Mark Lambrides, Chief, Energy and Climate Change Mitigation, Department of Sustainable Development, Organization of American States, USA
  • Jorge Villalobos, President, Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (RECOPE), Costa Rica
  • Manuel Gonzalez, Auditor of Systems Certification Office, INTECO, Costa Rica

 

 

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

Sustainable Water Management: Tapping in to a Valuable Natural Resource

Water availability and security varies widely between Latin American countries. Energy, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and other industry sectors are often in direct competition with rapidly growing urban centers for access to this valuable resource. As such, it is estimated that the demand in Latin America for water infrastructure to address these challenges will amount to US $5 trillion over the next 25 years. Learn how governments and corporations are addressing the issue of water scarcity and sustainable supply through improved management practices, proper governance and policy design, and investments in water technology and infrastructure.

Speakers:

  • Manuel Dengo, Costa Rica Ambassador & Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland (Moderator)
  • Edwin Piñero, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Veolia Water North America, USA
  • Juan Carlos Romero, Manager of Environmental & Social Responsibility, Metropolitan Enterprise of Water and Sewer Systems in Quito (EMAAP-Q), Ecuador
  • Roberto Vega, Director of Sustainability, Dole Food Company, France
  • Ramon de Mendiola, CEO, Florida Ice & Farm Co., Costa Rica

 

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