Energy and Climate Cooperation in the Western Hemisphere

The seminar provides an overview of the current political dynamics in each of the major fossil fuel producing countries in the Western Hemisphere and its impact on local energy exploration and production. It also explores the potential for expanding existing or developing new renewable energy resources throughout the Americas, and impacts on the local environment, food prices, and land use issues. The course examines the feasibility of integrating energy markets and establishing initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the regional and hemispheric level. The seminar focuses on Chile, a country that lacks significant petroleum and natural gas reserves and has traditionally been a major user of coal. Accordingly, the country has been at the forefront of efforts to facilitate the regional integration of energy markets and develop renewable and non-traditional energy resources. The course concludes with a discussion of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas or ECPA, launched by the Obama administration at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad in April 2009, and China's increasing role in Latin America's energy sector.