sustainable development 20 years on from the ... - José Eli da Veiga

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Box V.1
REFERENCES TO THE ENVIRONMENT IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICIES OF
LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES
Latin American and Caribbean countries are implementing a variety of national policies to overcome science and
technology constraints. Most of them place great importance on environmental issues.
Argentina: The National Strategic Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (<strong>20</strong>06-<strong>20</strong>10) provides for the
creation and application of knowledge for the responsible exploration of natural resources and for the protection of
the environment as a strategic objective.
Bahamas: The Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology (BEST) Commission is linked to the Ministry of
Health and Environment. Climate change and biological diversity are priority spheres.
Barbados: Inter-sectoral efforts are being made to develop local scientific capacity; and support provided to science
and technology is focused on energy (especially solar energy) and biotechnology (tissue growth, in particular).
Bolivia (Plurinational State of): Biodiversity and traditional resources are two of four priority areas for scientific
and technological <strong>development</strong>, which is funded by a tax on fossil fuels.
Brazil: The <strong>20</strong>07-<strong>20</strong>10 Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation for National Development identifies
bio- and nanotechnology, biofuels, renewable energy, biodiversity and natural resources, <strong>development</strong> of the
Amazon and semi-arid regions, and climate change among its strategic areas. In Brazil’s productive <strong>development</strong>
policy, launched in <strong>20</strong>08, <strong>sustainable</strong> production is identified as a strategic priority that cuts across 23 industrial
sectors. The main issues considered are clean energy sources and other emissions reduction measures, <strong>sustainable</strong>
agribusiness production, better ecological and energy performance of industry, and infrastructures (see [online]
www.pdp.gov.br).
Chile: The National Innovation Policy defines four cross-cutting spheres related to the technological <strong>development</strong> and
innovation clusters. Three of these areas are related to environmental sustainability: biotechnology; water and
environment; and energy (non-conventional renewables, biofuels and efficiency) (CNIC, <strong>20</strong>10).
Colombia: Energy, natural resources and biotechnology have been identified as strategic areas for the long term
under the National Policy on Science, Technology, and Innovation (CONPES, <strong>20</strong>09).
Costa Rica: The National Science and Technology Plan, <strong>20</strong>02-<strong>20</strong>06, included renewable energy and
biodiversity/biotechnology among its four priority areas.
Cuba: Biotechnology, the environment and energy are among its priorities.
Ecuador: The National Policy for Science, Technology and Innovation, <strong>20</strong>07-<strong>20</strong>10, establishes <strong>sustainable</strong>
agriculture, environmental management for <strong>development</strong>, energy diversification and renewables, and biotechnology
among its priority areas.
El Salvador: The National Policy on Science and Technology, established in <strong>20</strong>07, identifies biotechnology, energy
(including biofuels and other renewables), fishing, the environment, land-use policies and urban management among
its priority areas.
Guatemala: Forest and hydro-biological resources, urban and rural <strong>development</strong> and biotechnology are among the
priority areas in Guatemala’s National Science and Technology Plan (<strong>20</strong>05-<strong>20</strong>14).
Panama: The Strategic Plan for the Development of Science, Technology and Innovation, <strong>20</strong>06-<strong>20</strong>10, defines
environmental sciences as one of its priority areas.
Paraguay: The National Science and Technology Policy (<strong>20</strong>02) defines the environment, natural resources and
clean technologies as priority areas.
Peru: The National Strategic Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation for Competitiveness and Human
Development, drafted in <strong>20</strong>06, includes life sciences and biotechnology and environmental technologies among its
key areas.
Uruguay: In the process leading up to the <strong>development</strong> of the National Strategic Science, Technology and
Innovation Plan, the environment, energy and biotechnology have been identified as priority areas.
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of): The National Plan for Science and Technology, <strong>20</strong>05-<strong>20</strong>30, includes the
environment, <strong>sustainable</strong> <strong>development</strong> and biodiversity among its priority areas.
The priority areas of the Caribbean Council for Science and Technology (CCST): include renewable energy,
the environment and water management.
Source: Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), on the basis of the Science and Technology
Database [online] http://www.eclac.org/iyd/, and official documents.