The Temas Blog

BNDES Finances “Green Polyethylene” Production

Keith R — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:20:36 +0000

From the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES): The BNDES approves financing of R$ 555 million for Braskem to produce sugarcane ethylene and polyethylene Ethanol Chemistry Project is the first to be supported by the Bank The BNDES approved R$ 555.6 million in financing for Braskem’s innovative project intended to produce sugarcane ethylene and polyethylene. The total investment is of [...]

What the Other Guy Blogs About: Renewable Energy in Chile

Keith R — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:43:46 +0000

The Reegle Blog has a very good overview of the curent state of development of renewable energy projects in Chile. My only quibble with the article is that it focuses solely on wind and solar projects, omitting other forms of renewable energy under development or being looked at in Chile, such as geothermal (where Chile [...]

FONTAGRO to Fund IDB Studies on Climate Change Impact on Agriculture

Keith R — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:12:29 +0000

From the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): FONTAGRO extends agreement with IDB The Bank will manage the Fund until 2011 and finance climate change impact studies The Inter-American Development Bank and the Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO, for its initials in Spanish) have extended until 2011 their agreement whereby the IDB will continue to manage the Fund, [...]

Improving Disease Surveillance in Central America / Mejorar vigilancia epidemiológica en América Central

Keith R — Fri, 01 May 2009 22:43:42 +0000

From the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): IDB to help boost disease surveillance network in Central America The Inter-American Development Bank, in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and national authorities in Central America, will provide $5 million to strengthen disease surveillance efforts and improve responses to current and future public health emergencies in the isthmus. The [...]

Eye on Ads: Promoting Handwashing

Keith R — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:12:41 +0000

It’s a relatively simple thing that it’s too often overlooked by local sanitary authorities and technical assistance programs, but soooooo important in improving public health and hygiene: getting everyone in the habit of regularly (and properly) washing their hands with soap. Below are two public service ads (PSAs) sponsored by Colombia’s Environment Ministry (MAVDT), originally released [...]

BNDES Increases Support to Waste Picker Co-ops in 2009

Keith R — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:41:12 +0000

From the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES): BNDES lends R$ 7.4 million to 11 waste-picker recycling cooperatives in 2009 Entities will contribute to raise the population’s awareness and improve separate garbage collection services This year, the BNDES boosted its support to waste-picker recycling cooperatives and approved R$ 7.4 million for 11 institutions. The non-reimbursable funds derive from the Social [...]

IFC Supports PET Recycling in Mexico / IFC respalda el reciclaje de PET en México

Keith R — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:11:46 +0000

From the International Finance Corporation (IFC): IFC Supports PetStar’s Launch of Recycling Facility to Reduce Waste in Mexico IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, supported the launch of operations for Petstar SA de CV’s bottle–to-bottle recycling facility, which is expected to significantly reduce the volume of non-biodegradable waste and contribute to greater longevity of landfills [...]

Culmina armonización andina de requisitos para productos de higiene doméstica y absorbentes de higiene personal

Keith R — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:20:03 +0000

Synopsis in English: The Andean Community (CAN) is putting the finishing touches on the new Community norm to harmonize member states’ (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) sanitary control regimes regarding household and personal hygiene products, such as soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, surface cleansers, stain removers, bleaches, air fresheners, sanitary towels, disposable diapers, tampons, towelettes, etc. To refresh [...]

US & Mexico Increase Cooperation on Climate Change & Clean Energy

Keith R — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:06:28 +0000

From the White House: U.S.-MEXICO ANNOUNCE BILATERAL FRAMEWORK ON CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE President Obama and President Calderon today announced plans to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation by establishing the US-Mexico Bilateral Framework on Clean Energy and Climate Change. During their first conversation in January 2009, then President-elect Obama and President Calderon discussed the need [...]

Venezuela Toughens Cigarette Pack Images

Keith R — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:59:58 +0000

Venezuela has just adopted newer, tougher images to be displayed on cigarette packs on a rotating basis. Manufacturers have until 03 July to deplete their inventories of packs with the old images and switch to only using the new ones. The messages accompanying the images say: “This product is harmful to health and produces addiction”; “Smoking causes [...]