Projects

The World Bank is working with the region to address climate change through the projects described below.

Adaptation

The Implementation of Adaptation Measures in Coastal Zones (GEF) Project aims to support efforts by Dominica, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to implement specific (integrated) pilot adaptation measures addressing primarily, the impacts o f climate change on their natural resource base, focused on biodiversity and land degradation along coastal and near-coastal areas. The project also seeks to produce knowledge o f global value on how to implement adaptation measures in small island states that can be applied in other countries in the region, not participating in the project and even for islands in other regions o f the world.

The Integrated National Adaptation Project will support Colombia's efforts to define and implement specific pilot adaptation measures and policy options to meet the anticipated impacts from climate change. The project consists of the following components: (a) this component seeks to strengthen Colombia's capabilities to produce and disseminate climate information (useful for resource allocation and operational decision making), in support of adaptation to climate change measures and programs.

Mitigation

The Mexico City Insurgentes Bus Rapid Transit System Carbon Finance Project will contribute to reductions in local airborne pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions generated by the transport sector in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City. This will be sought through the development of the first surface mass transport corridor in Mexico City (Insurgentes Avenue) and associated traffic management measures.

The Colombia Jepirachi Carbon Offset Project contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector in Colombia through the promotion of a 19.5 MW wind-based electricity generation facility. The project is expected to displace an estimated 1.168 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over a period of 21 years and generate revenue from emission reduction credits of US$3.2 million. Part of the carbon revenue will be dedicated to co-finance a social program that will contribute to improvements in the welfare of the local indigenous community.

The project development objective of the Waste Management and Carbon Offset Project is to reduce greenhouse emissions caused by methane released during land-filling of solid waste in Mexico. The project will support the development of three landfill gas facilities and is expected to displace an estimated 2.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e) up to 2012 and 3 millions tons up to 2015. The project will contribute to improved solid waste management practices through a remediation program to strengthen the integrity of closed landfills and it will support a "proof of concept" off-grid renewable energy supply in a poor community in Nuevo Leon, to be completed by 2010.

The Colombia Rio Frio Carbon Offset Project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions fro the wastewater treatment sector in Colombia by modernizing the Rio Frio waste water treatment plant, located in Giron, Colombia. This modernization will result in abatements of methane and nitrous oxide emissions of about 39 kilo tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year and in an improved effluent quality from the plant. The project constitutes a "proof of concept" for use of the Clean Development Mechanism, with potential to be replicated throughout the region. A share of the revenues from the emission reductions will be used to support a community benefits health program in Giron.

The purpose of the Introduction to Climate Friendly Measures in Transport is to contribute to the establishment of policies that will support a long-term modal shift towards a climate-friendly, more efficient and less polluting, less carbon intensive transport for the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA). To this end, the components include: 1) rationalization of sector strategies on air quality issues through the revision of plans and delivery of workshops on integrated environment and transport issues; 2) definition of an enabling environment to facilitate the implementation of sustainable transport strategies through a revision of institutional frameworks that includes integration of metro and bus transport, reform of bus regulations, and measures to promote increased numbers of metro customers; 3) field tests of climate-friendly high capacity vehicles through comparative tests for alternative bus/fuel technologies; 4) technical assistance and training to integrate climate change and air quality considerations in the design and analysis of transport strategies, supported by cost-benefit analysis of sustainable transport projects with environmental considerations; and 5) public awareness and information dissemination to sensitize communities on the benefits of new transportation modes as well as workshops to increase stakeholder participation.

Sequestration

Click on the file below to view a list of sequestration projects being carried out in the region.

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