Nine Latin American countries have collectively pledged to reach 70 percent renewable energy use by 2030, surpassing the European Union’s commitment to renewables.
Among these countries are Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Colombia, Reuters reported last month.
Panama and Brazil are also considering participation.
Latin America’s commitment was intended to put the countries ahead in the international fight against climate change, according to Maria Fernanda Suarez, energy minister of Colombia.
“It’s the most ambitious goal in terms of a global region,” Suarez told Reuters. “Right now, nine countries in the region have agreed to this plan, and we will continue to get more countries to be part of this goal ahead of the upcoming summit,” she said, regarding the U.N. climate change summit taking place in Chile in December.
The renewable energy target of the European Union, composed of 28 member countries, is 32 percent.
