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GEO-6 Regional Assessment for Latin America and the Caribbean


D. Science and technology Key uncertainties


What are research and development (R&D) levels, sources and priorities?


Scenario 1: Economy prevails


Low: contribution of LAC to total research is very low, due to a reduced level of investment in R&D, and a lack of science and technology policies.


What are the priorities of energy technologies?


Low: Poorly diversified energy portfolios make economies widely exposed to fluctuating gas and oil prices. Despite the impact of such price volatility on energy security, the LAC region continues to be a net exporter of energy. Meanwhile, energy affordability for their citizens and market actors remains very low. For some countries, main power generation sources are hydrological and biomass resources.


What are the trends of technology transfer?


Low: technology transfers inhibit the region’s potential to grow and improve its living standards.


How does the relationship between homogenization and cultural diversity perform?


Low: Cultural homogenization prevails. Development of technology, information and capital transcend geographical boundaries, reshaping relationships among markets, states and citizens.


Scenario 2: Policy trade-offs


Medium: spending on R&D increases. Some governments in the region are now keen to implement policies, favouring innovation.


Scenario 3: Towards a sustainability agenda


High: more government and private spending on R&D narrows the gap between rich and poor countries, favouring socio-environmental investments. There is also more adequate institutional structure for fostering innovation.


Medium: There is growing global pressure to accelerate the deployment of low-carbon technologies in order to decrease pollution and the depletion of natural resources. Practices, although limited, are introduced to promote energy sustainability.


High: Encouraging innovation on renewable energy technologies based on development of new forms of financing and enabling policy frameworks. Renewables sources such as biomass, waste, geothermal and wind begin to grow rapidly.


High: technology transfer between transnational segments. There are some actions that favour transference in prioritized areas.


Medium: Conservation of indigenous cultures becomes as vital for humankind as the conservation of species in ecosystems is to life in general. Some policies start to favour diversity.


High: Collaboration between governments, the private sector and civil society improves, transformation of new knowledge into innovation.


High: Increased recognition of the specificity of cultural diversity. Policies and instruments are developed for decision making processes.


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