Analysis

Pictures of the Amazon rainforest and solar panels with a blue wash

Combating Climate Change with Extractives Revenues

As economies seek to rebuild in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis, there is an opportunity to accelerate climate change mitigation and adaptation and shape more sustainable economic models. Revenues from the extractive industries can provide crucial resources in this effort, according to a new report by the Inter-American Dialogue.

Lisa Viscidi, Nate Graham

Reports ˙

Event photo featuring the three speakers alongside the moderator, Mariana Aparicio Video

La política energética de AMLO: implicaciones para el comercio, el clima y la economía de México

El Diálogo Interamericano preparó un informe titulado “El impacto de la política eléctrica estado-céntrica en México en el comercio, el clima y la economía”, el cual analiza los principales cambios ocurridos en la política energética de México y sus impactos en la inversión y en el medio ambiente. El informe fue presentado en un webinar el 18 de noviembre organizado por la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México y el Real Instituto Elcano.

María José Rocha

Event Summaries ˙

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador

Are López Obrador’s Latest Policies Detrimental to Mexico’s Power Sector?

An Energy Advisor Q&A featuring experts’ viewpoints on the López Obrador’s changes to the Mexican power sector.

Laura Carlsen, Pedro Niembro, Geoffrey Jones, Natalia Cosio, Larry Pascal, Juan Pomés, Dino Barajas, Fluvio Ruiz Alarcón, Ximena Herrera, Alexandro Padrés, Roxana Muñoz

Energy Advisor ˙

Report Cover for Power Grab: What Mexico's State-Centered Electricity Policy Means for Trade, Climate, and the Economy cover

Power Grab: What Mexico’s State-Centered Electricity Policy Means for Trade, Climate, and the Economy

Over the past two years, the government of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has sought to strip away central aspects of the 2013 energy reform that increased private investment in the power sector and return control of the sector to state utility CFE. These moves will reduce needed investment in the sector and lead to higher electricity costs for Mexican industry and manufacturing, affecting employment, trade, and Mexico’s ability to meet its clean energy targets, according to this new report by the Inter-American Dialogue.

Lisa Viscidi, Nate Graham, Sarah Phillips

Reports ˙ ˙ Download Report

Speakers at the Fourth Annual Latin America Energy Conference Video

Speakers discuss national oil company strategies, the energy transition, and US-Latam energy relations at the Dialogue’s annual energy conference

2020 has been a tumultuous year for Latin America’s energy sector. The global pandemic has led to a sharp decline in oil demand and prices even as clean energy investments accelerate. With presidential elections around the corner in the United States, the future of US energy diplomacy in the region is unclear. Industry executives, government officials, and corporate representatives convened to discuss the challenges and opportunities in today’s energy markets during the virtual Fourth Annual Energy Conference.

María José Rocha

Event Summaries ˙

Mexico Power Sector Policies Brief

Mexican Power Sector Policies: Economic and Trade Impacts

This policy brief examines the regulatory changes in Mexico’s electric power sector made under the López Obrador administration. The brief analyzes the broader implications for Mexico’s economy and its trade and economic relations with its key trading partner, the United States. A full report will be forthcoming in October 2020.

Lisa Viscidi, Nate Graham, Sarah Phillips

Reports ˙ ˙ Download Policy Brief

The coal-fired Bocamina plant in Chile, pictured above, is set to close completely by 2022, 18 years ahead of schedule. // File Photo: Chilean Government

Is Chile On Track to Become Carbon Neutral By 2050?

An Energy Advisor Q&A featuring experts’ takes on the progress of Chile’s transition toward renewable energy.

Andrés Rebolledo, Ricardo Raineri, Rodrigo Andrade, Cecilia Aguillón, María Trinidad Castro

Energy Advisor ˙

International companies and local industry groups have blasted Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s new power sector measures.

Do Mexico’s New Power Sector Rules Favor the State?

What do the new rules in Mexico’s power sector entail, and why have the sparked controversy among energy companies and local industry groups?

Héctor Castro Vizcarra, Jeremy Martin, Víctor Rodríguez, Dino Barajas, Geoffrey Jones, Pedro Niembro, Jose L. Valera, Doris Rodriguez, Carlos Chavez, Carlos Ochoa

Energy Advisor ˙

Photo of Rebecca Bill Chavez and President Irfaan Ali Video

A Conversation with Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali

On September 13, 2023, President Irfaan Ali joined Inter-American Dialogue President & CEO Rebecca Bill Chavez for a conversation on sustainable management of oil & gas revenue and the future of US-Guyana ties.

Bernarda Jarrín

Event Summaries ˙

Lisa Viscidi speaking during the event Video

Viscidi: Biden’s climate foreign policy “should start with Latin America”

On February 2, the Embassy of Argentina in the United States and the World Resources Institute hosted an event at which Lisa Viscidi spoke about how the Biden administration could engage with Argentina, and with Latin America and the Caribbean more broadly, on areas such as clean energy, climate change adaptation, and conservation.

Lisa Viscidi

Presentations ˙ ˙ Embassy of Argentina in the United States

Ricardo Zuniga, Thiago Barral, Nestor Forster Jr, Fernanda Delgado, Lisa Viscdi

Private Roundtable on US-Brazil Energy & Climate Cooperation

Energy and climate change are important aspects of the US-Brazil relationship and will only become more prominent under the Biden administration. Brazil and the US are important diplomatic and trade partners in the hemisphere, and both countries have the potential to make major contributions to combating climate change and developing more sustainable and reliable energy systems. In collaboration with FGV Energia, on February 26, the Inter-American Dialogue held a private virtual roundtable on US-Brazil energy and climate cooperation.

Event Summaries ˙

Cover of UCSD US-Mexico Forum 2025 Energy & Sustainability Report showing a wind farm

US-Mexico Forum 2025: Energy and Sustainability Report

The world is in a transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 that will change the way we use and produce energy and shape the sustainability of our planet. This paper, published by UC San Diego, addresses how Mexico and the United States can use their energy resources to deliver jobs, economic prosperity, and social justice at this transformational juncture in history, examining three areas fundamental to the US-Mexico energy relationship: sustainability; hydrocarbons; and gas, power, and renewables.

Lisa Viscidi, Carlos Pascual, Angélica Ruiz, David Crisostomo, Samantha Gross, Verónica Irastorza, Alejandra León, Jeremy Martin, John McNeece, Isabel Studer

Reports ˙ ˙ UC San Diego

Tania Ortiz Mena, Enrique Ochoa Reza, David Goldwyn, Lisa Viscidi

Private Roundtable on US-Mexico Energy Cooperation

The energy markets of the United States and Mexico are deeply integrated, to the benefit of both countries and their economies. The new US administration has a clear interest in preserving and expanding this fruitful relationship while advancing its ambitious clean energy and climate goals, both at home and abroad. On March 11, the Inter-American Dialogue held a private roundtable on US-Mexico energy cooperation.

Event Summaries ˙

Green cover photo of the report

Energy and Mining in the Amazon

The Amazon rainforest, one of the world’s most important ecosystems, faces environmental impacts from hydroelectric dams, oil and gas drilling sites, and mining projects. A new database and analysis by the Inter-American Dialogue reveals that state-owned enterprises, as well as small and mid-sized international companies from a handful of countries, operate the largest share of such projects in the Amazon region, meaning these companies have a substantial influence over the implementation of environmental and social safeguards.

Lisa Viscidi, Sarah Phillips

Reports ˙ ˙ Download the Report

collage of speaker headshots and image of a wind farm Video

Electrification and Innovation Among Key Private Sector Strategies in Latin America’s Energy Transition

As the energy transition gathers pace and Latin American countries raise their emissions reduction targets, private companies are revising their business models to meet demand for renewable energy and other solutions. The United States has also reemerged as a partner on climate action in the region. This webinar explored the current and potential role of the private sector in Latin America’s energy transition and how the United States can provide support.

Jamie Dorner

Event Summaries ˙