Exciting developments are happening in Curaçao!
We had the privilege of hosting the Greening the Islands Summit 2024 on behalf of the Government of Curaçao. Check-out the Summit’s information and a gallery of amazing pictures that reflect the event by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/eA8sT8ix
This transformative event gathered TOP representatives from Greening the Islands Observatory, UN DESA, Blue Planet Alliance (through Lance Gould of Brooklyn Storylab), INSULEUR, and the International Geothermal Association, to chart bold strategies for 100% renewable energy and sustainable island economies.
A key highlight: We were witness to the incredible transformation of the Curaçao Refinery into 2Bays Curaçao – a pioneering hub for sustainability and innovation. This landmark project, rooted in the vision of merging green energy with economic growth, represents a powerful symbol of Curaçao’s commitment to a cleaner, more resilient future.
In the words of Lance Gould from Brooklyn Storylab, "2Bays Curaçao embodies the island’s ambition to serve as a living laboratory for sustainability, showing the world what is possible when creativity meets commitment." Read more about this groundbreaking shift here: https://lnkd.in/ebMzq5Ky.
Day 1: We explored the immense potential of scaling up renewable energy on islands, unlocking a $1 trillion investment opportunity through the redirection of fossil fuel subsidies.
Day 2: A deep dive into financing and implementation strategies for Curaçao’s renewable energy transition by 2045 identified how to build collaborations with international investors and development finance institutions, to set the stage to attract $500M+ in investment.
We also visited Curaçao’s wind farms, a testament to the island’s renewable energy progress. The active turbines, largely maintained by local talent, generate enough energy to power thousands of households!
We closed the week with a walk to the Rif Mangrove Park, a remarkable city park, where sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and coastal protection are integrated into city life. It’s an ideal spot for reconnecting with nature and learning about our vital ecosystems.
Huge thanks to the Ministry of Economic Development of Curaçao, Jeanette Bonet and CINEX, the Curaçao Tourist Board, 2Bays Curaçao, and Curaçao Airport Partners for making this Summit a resounding success.
With the insights gained, we now turn to #COP29, ensuring that islands’ unique challenges and potential are central to global energy transition discussions.
#RenewableEnergy #SustainableDevelopment #resilientislands #EnergyTransition #cop29 #Curaçao