Clean Energy Americas

InterAmerican Clean Energy Institute Co-Sponsors 2025 Energy Summit at U.C. Berkeley

1/28/2025

The InterAmerican Clean Energy Institute is pleased to co-sponsor the 2025 Energy Summit at the University of California (UC), Berkeley. The Summit is an annual event organized by Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative (BERC), a multidisciplinary network of UC Berkeley students, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals. The theme of this year's energy summit is: "Scaling Our Energy Future: Coalitions for Investment and Innovation."

The Summit will be held on February 20-21, 2025 (8:30 am - 5:30 pm) at Chou Hall (Spieker Forum) | Haas School of Business | UC Berkeley.

For more information on speakers, topics, and tickets, please visit the event website.

Devastating Fire Impacts EarthWays Foundation

1/28/2025

In January 2025, a series of massive fires devastated communities in Southern California including Pacific Palisades and Malibu, where the Institute's fiscal sponsor, EarthWays Foundation, is based.

The InterAmerican Clean Energy Institute mourns the loss of life and property suffered by all the communities in Southern California.

We have learned that EarthWays Foundation experienced a complete loss of their offices at the Malibu Pueblo, which has served as a beloved hub for art, environmental action, and community for approximately three decades.

Fortunately, the EarthWays Foundation team and their families are safe, and EarthWays will continue its important work remotely.

The Institute extends its support to the entire EarthWays community and especially to Andrew Beath, founder of EarthWays Foundation and owner of the Malibu Pueblo.

As Andrew wrote in an email to the community: "The sacred land remains. Two acres of beauty on the bluff. I do not know what is next ... Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. We loved the Malibu Pueblo, and still do. A lot was born there."

Carrying forward with work that heals the earth, strengthens community, and provides for a sustainable future where we live in harmony with nature will be our tribute to the Malibu Pueblo.

InterAmerican Clean Energy Institute Executive Director Appointed to Lead Watershed Restoration Committee

1/31/2024

The InterAmerican Clean Energy Institute is pleased to announce that its Executive Director, Heather Rosmarin, has been appointed by the Walnut Creek Watershed Council to lead its Watershed Restoration Planning Steering Committee. The purpose of the Steering Committee is to help produce a watershed restoration plan for the Walnut Creek Watershed (Contra Costa County, California) that reflects the vision of community stakeholders and meets state and local requirements for watershed plans.

"I'm delighted to chair the Steering Committee and to contribute to the important work of the Walnut Creek Watershed Council. Creek, riparian, and wetland restoration initiatives are key nature-based climate solutions," Rosmarin said.

The Walnut Creek Watershed Council is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization that supports a healthy and sustainable Walnut Creek Watershed. The Walnut Creek Watershed is the largest watershed in Contra Costa County, California, totaling 146 square miles, or 96,000 acres, in size and including 309 miles of creek channels.

Key partners in the watershed restoration planning effort include the Contra Costa County Flood Control & Water Conservation District and the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District as well as multiple cities, creek stewardship groups, and NGOs.

Rosmarin further noted: "Long-range multi-stakeholder collaborative efforts such as the Walnut Creek Watershed Restoration Plan process are essential to achieving regional, state, national, and international goals to restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and mitigate climate change. By engaging local communities in this process, we hope to cultivate a culture of stewardship at all levels of action."

About the InterAmerican Clean Energy Institute
Founded in 2012, the InterAmerican Clean Energy Institute is a nonprofit organization working to support clean energy and climate solutions in the Americas. The Institute is affiliated with Earth Ways Foundation Inc, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable organization based in California.

InterAmerican Clean Energy Institute Co-Sponsors Climate Law & Governance Initiative, Endorses IUCN Position Paper at COP28

11/30/2023

As the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) begins today in Dubai, UAE, the InterAmerican Clean Energy Institute is pleased to announce that it has joined the Climate Law and Governance Initiative as a co-sponsor of global knowledge-exchange and capacity-building programs at the COP. These programs include:

The COP28 Climate Law Hub;
2023 Climate Law and Governance Day on 5 Dec. 2023 (Engaging in Global Stocktake Through Legal Lenses); and
The Climate Law and Governance Specialization Course on 7 Dec. 2023.

The Institute is also pleased to endorse the IUCN Position Paper for COP28. The IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. IUCN Members include expert and influential government, non-government and Indigenous Peoples’ Organisations from over 160 countries, and IUCN Commissions draw upon more than 15,000 experts worldwide. More information on IUCN activities at COP 28, including the Unite for Nature pavilion, is available here.

U.S. Inflation Reduction Act Advances Clean Energy and Climate Solutions

9/3/2022

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law No. 117-169), which was approved by Congress and signed by President Biden in August 2022, will invest $369 billion to advance clean energy technologies and other climate solutions, with a focus on increasing domestic advanced energy manufacturing capacity, creating clean energy economy jobs, and addressing environmental justice concerns. Considered the most significant climate law in U.S. history, it is expected to put the U.S. on track to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. (Figure 1)

Key clean energy and climate provisions in the bill include the following.

Expansion and extension of clean energy tax credits by 10 years. (For a detailed summary of the tax credits for various clean energy technologies, please see this overview published by The National Law Review.)
Support for domestic clean energy technology manufacturing ($60 billion for manufacturing solar panels, batteries, and other clean energy technologies in the U.S.)
Funding for low-income families to electrify their homes, including $9 billion in home energy rebate programs.
Incentives for electrification of transportation, including $3 billion for the U.S. Postal Service to electrify its fleet (the largest government fleet in the nation); $1 billion for electrification of heavy-duty vehicles, and $3 billion to install cleaner technologies and reduce air pollution at ports.

Individual taxpayers can access the following benefits, subject to income caps:

A 30% tax credit for installing residential solar panels;
Up to $7,500 for purchasing an electric vehicle;
Up to $14,000 for home energy efficiency upgrades.

References

Earthjustice. "What the Inflation Reduction Act Means for Climate" (August 16, 2022).
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law No. 117-169).
The National Law Review. "Relief Arrives for Renewable Energy Industry - Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (August 16, 2022, updated August 19, 2022).
The White House. "FACT SHEET: The Inflation Reduction Act Supports Workers and Families" (August 19, 2022).

New Renewables Global Status Report Details Global Renewable Energy Data and Market and Policy Trends.

6/30/2022

The 2022 Edition of REN21’s Renewables Global Status Report provides an up-to-date synthesis of global renewable energy data and market and policy trends. The report finds that, while progress towards renewables continues in the power sector, the overall share of renewables in the world’s final energy consumption has stagnated. Although many more governments committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, REN21 warns that the global clean energy transition is not happening at the pace and scale required to meet critical climate goals by 2030.

The Renewables 2022 Global Status Report is available free online and can be downloaded along with key messages for decision makers, the data-pack and a zip file of all of the report’s charts and graphs.

REN21 Press Release (English)
REN21 Comunicado de prensa (español)

The Institute’s Executive Director contributed to the report as part of a global network of more than 650 researchers, experts, and reviewers.

Institute Supports Installation of Solar + Storage Microgrid System in Brazilian Amazon

4/30/2022

The Institute is pleased to support Amazon Watch's Power to the Protectors program. In 2022, the Institute will co-sponsor, with Renewables 100 Policy Institute, the installation of a solar + storage microgrid system to provide clean reliable power to the Munduruku indigenous community in the Brazilian Amazon. The Power to the Protectors program provides Indigenous communities across the Amazon basin with solar and communications infrastructure and builds local capacity and expertise in clean energy solutions.

Report Tracks Fossil Fuel Financing

3/31/2022

The Institute joins more than 500 organizations from 50+ countries in endorsing the 13th edition of the annual fossil fuel finance report: Banking on Climate Chaos 2022. The report, published by Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club, and urgewald, tracks fossil fuel financing by the world’s 60 largest private sector banks. Collectively, these banks financed fossil fuels with $4.6 trillion since the Paris Agreement was adopted, with $742 billion in 2021 alone.

A New Direction

12/31/2021

Dear Readers: The Clean Energy Americas blog began in 2013 and is the longest running blog focused on clean energy in the Americas. We have shared news and insights on topics ranging from clean energy policy developments to investment trends. We hope that our 50,000+ readers have been as inspired as we are by the progress in the deployment of clean renewable energy across the Americas.

Highlights of progress covered in this blog include:

Communities across the Americas have embraced clean energy solutions, with a growing number of countries, states, and cities adopting ambitious renewable energy targets.

Costa Rica has led the way with an electricity grid that is almost 100% renewable and a plan to fully decarbonize its economy by 2050.

Since 2013, Latin America has added more than 50 GW of wind and solar generation capacity (including estimates for 2021), according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Now it is time for a new direction. In 2022, we will be launching a new initiative to advance clean energy in the Americas, and this blog will no longer be published monthly (although all prior posts will be available in the archive). Please check back for updates, which will be posted here periodically.

With Gratitude,
Heather Rosmarin
Executive Director
InterAmerican Clean Energy Institute

Renewable Energy at COP26

11/2/2021

Our REN21 colleagues will be at COP26 in Glasgow to share their expertise on renewable energy as a key solution to climate change. At this link is a description of events that REN21 is hosting and where REN21 is speaking as well as REN21 Members’ activities at COP26.

Renewable energy focused events include the following.

Thursday 4 November

100% Renewables: Driving the Inclusive Renewable Energy Transition

10:00 – 11:25 (UK time) – Location: Local Governments and Municipal Authorities Time4MultiLevelAction Pavilion
Co-hosts: ICLEI World Secretariat and ICLEI Europe
Rana Adib will join this session, which aims at debunking the challenges that are on the path towards achieving the Paris agreement objectives by tackling the angle of sustainable generation and consumption of energy. Speakers and panelists will discuss the needed steps towards the achievement of 100% RE targets globally and the support that energy communities can provide in ensuring resilience of the transition and mitigate its adverse effects.
All events at the Multi Level Action Pavilion will be livestreamed; click here to register.

Disrupting the Status Quo: Accelerating the Global Energy Transition for a 1.5°C Future

12:00 -15:00 (UK time) – Location: Global Climate Action Zone, Action Room 1, The Hydro
Energy Action Event hosted by the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action
Join the Marrakech Partnership energy thematic group and COP26 High Level Climate Action Champion Nigel Topping for an exploration of how the global energy transition can help deliver a climate-safe future and examples of progress to the Race to Zero. Covering decarbonised power, green hydrogen, moving beyond fossil fuels, just transition and more. Rana Adib will moderate the session, Decarbonised Power: Achieving a Renewable and Efficient Power System.
Several REN21 members will also participate: Climate Action Network International, Denmark, European Commission, Global Solar Council, GWEC, IEA, IRENA, Norway, SEforAll, United Arab Emirates, UNEP and USA.
The event will be livestreamed. Link coming soon.

Strategic Intelligence: Shaping the Climate Conversation

18:00 – 18:30 (UK time) – Location: SE4All SDG7 Pavilion
Hosted by REN21
This event will look at how strategic intelligence can broaden and diversify the conversation around renewables, driving uptake and supporting climate objectives. REN21 will present its dynamic Influence Mapping Tool (an artificial intelligence-based system) which identifies key influencers, players and strategic entry points, allowing for the critical positioning of renewables. This session will explore how this strategic intelligence can support the renewable energy community in amplifying and strengthening activities in their sphere of influence.
All events at the SDG 7 Pavilion will be livestreamed; click here to register.

Friday 5 November:

Énergies Renouvelables pour la Résilience Climatique Urbaine en Afrique

11:00 – 12:00 (UK time) – Location: IFDD Pavilion
Hosted by REN21
This event will take place in French : Les municipalités du monde entier ont pris des mesures pour accélérer l’adoption des énergies renouvelables à l’échelle mondiale. L’événement se concentrera sur la façon dont les villes sont et peuvent accroître leur ambition et leur action en matière de climat, contribuer à la décarbonisation locale et nationale et aux objectifs de développement (durable). Les efforts des villes africaines en particulier seront mis en évidence.
The event will be livestreamed. Link coming soon.

Reshaping the Urban Energy Landscape: Citizen’s Perspective

16:30 – 18:00 (UK time) – Location: Russian Federation Pavilion
Hosted by BRICS Youth Energy Agency and European Youth Energy Network
Big cities all around the world are frontrunners in adopting innovative energy policies that help tackle climate change. Yet, however different their challenges may be, a dialogue between active citizens is essential to reimagine large cities’ energy mix. To do so, the REN21-inspired youth-led initiative gathered young citizens to discuss the ways of reshaping the urban energy landscape in such cities as Milan, São Paulo, and Amsterdam. At COP26, EYEN and BRICS YEA will share key findings and invite young people to discuss the results during a live expert discussion via an interactive voting platform. REN21’s Lea Ranalder will be a panelist.
Online interactive event participation is welcome; register by clicking through to the 5 Nov event here.

Monday 8 November:

Building an Emission Free Future: The 2030 Challenge

11:00 – 11:30 (UK time) – Location: UNFCCC Action Hub
Action Hub event hosted by REN21
Learn about and discuss the main challenges and progress in decarbonizing the world’s buildings with renewable energy, featuring a number of best-practice policy examples.
All events held at the Action Hub are live streamed on the UNFCCC webcast page.

Energy Compact Announcements

13:40 – 13:50 (UK time) – Location: SE4All SDG7 Pavilion
All events at the SDG 7 Pavilion will be livestreamed; click here to register.

Build Back Better: What Will it Take to Achieve a Zero-Carbon, Sustainable African Economy?

15:00 – 16:15 (UK time) – Location: Online for COP delegations
Official COP26 Side Event hosted by REN21
Population growth and rising energy demand are opportunities for local and national governments in Africa to advance economic development. Renewables can ensure that this development is clean and sustainable. Join us to discuss what a renewable energy future in Africa looks like and what policies, investments, infrastructure and technical capacity are needed to make this happen. Speakers will include African City officials and network operators, Global Renewables Congress, REN21, Sustainable Energy Africa and World Future Council.

Tuesday 9 November

Net Zero Future: Building Strong Coalitions to Transform Cities with Renewable Energy

12:30 – 13:45 (UK time) – Location: UNDESA SDG Pavilion
Hosted by REN21
This event will look at how we can build strong coalitions to support cities in scaling-up renewables to build a net-zero future. This event will bring together different stakeholders in the city ecosystem: local government, transport, energy provider to share their perspectives on the current status, challenges and action needed to increase the deployment of renewable energy in cities. The focus of the event will be on an interactive exchange of perspectives, with input from the audience via Q&A.
This event will be livestreamed; click here to register.

Sustainable Mobility and Just Recovery: Radical Collaboration for an Effective Transformation

15:00 – 16:15 (UK time) – Location: Clyde Auditorium
Hosted by Asociación Sustentar, SLOCAT, UIC and UITP
Rana Adib will participate in the discussion on the importance of transport actors working closely with other sectors in order to scale up ambition and accelerate action.

Wednesday 10 November

Sustainable Mobility for All Through Clean and Affordable Energy

9:15 – 10:15 (UK time) – Location: SEforALL SDG 7 Pavilion
Hosted by SUM4ALL
During this side event, discussants will consider energy implications of the transition to a low carbon and sustainable transport system, focusing on the shift to new mobility solutions, business models for financing public transport infrastructure, and planning for multimodal freight solutions, all with an eye to reducing energy demand and emissions. Rana Adib will detail the status of renewable energy drivers for the transport sector.
All events at the SDG 7 Pavilion will be livestreamed; click here to register.

Press Event on Solar Cooking & Renewable Energy

10:15 – 10:45 (UK time) – Location: East Lomond Suite in the Blue Zone
Hosted by Solar Cookers International
During this side event, Rana Adib will speak about renewable energy and solar cooking.

Thursday 11 November

Keeping 1.5°C Alive: How Can We Pull Back from the Brink?

16:45 – 18:00 (UK time) – Location: Online for COP delegations
Official COP26 Side Event hosted by WWF and Climate Analytics
The event will outline the latest IPCC science and explore what needs to happen both at global and national level post-COP26 to put the world on track to achieving the Paris Agreement temperature goal. Panelists will cover the need for a rapid transition to a renewables-based energy system and the role of nature in Paris Agreement compatible climate action – tackling head on a triplet of tough conversations that need to be had as we look forward to 2022. Confirmed speakers include Dr Carl-Friedrich Schleussner (Climate Analytics), Laura Williamson (REN21), Vanessa Pérez-Cirera (WWF) and Leo Hickman (Carbon Brief).

Launch of the Clean Heat Forum – Accelerating Heating Decarbonization in Buildings

17:00 – 18:00 (UK time) – Location: Global ABC Buildings Pavilion Climate Pledge Theatre Hall 5
Hosted by GlobalABC, RMI, Scotland DECC and UK BEIS
The event will announce a new building heating decarbonization forum under the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) and invite other interested governments and organizations to join. The event will show how some countries, regions, cities, industries are already championing on this agenda and underline the need for collaboration to accelerate a global shift towards heating decarbonization for achieving the Paris Agreement. Rana Adib is a panelist.
All Building Pavilion events will be livestreamed from the GlobalABC website.

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