The Creation of Sustainable Prosperity in Aruba

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1 Government of Aruba The Creation of Sustainable Prosperity in Aruba Aruba and the Vision of Prime Minister Mike Eman 1

2 Marina harbor with historical Government building, dating back to the 1950s, and state of the art eco- friendly expansion in the background. Aruba seeks a balance between the vital dimensions of quality of life and sustained economic growth: what Aruba views as sustainable prosperity. This is a balance that too often has been lost in our lives, in our institutions and in our communities. The Government of Aruba under the leadership of Prime Minister Mike Eman has embarked on a clear and pro-active course to achieve that balance. Sustainable Prosperity In Aruba, prosperity goes beyond material concerns. It transcends merely a higher standard of living or a larger Gross Domestic Product. Aruba views prosperity as not only material success but also as the quality of our lives and the health and happiness of our families. To create the type of prosperity that also is sustainable means focusing on doing more with less so that creating prosperity today need not sacrifice the quality of life of future generations. Aruba relies on a definition of sustainable prosperity from the World Watch Institute: Sustainable prosperity is a result of sustainable development that enables all human beings to live with their basic needs met, with their dignity acknowledged, and with abundant opportunity to pursue lives of satisfaction and happiness, all without risk of denying others in the present and the future the ability to do the same. 2 Quality and Consensus Based Policymaking Aruba, one of the four autonomous countries that together form the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has a clear and demonstrable commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future. With the national programs of Green Aruba, Green Gateway, Bo Aruba (Your Aruba)and Bo Bario (Your Neighborhood), the Government of Aruba has laid a solid foundation for promoting economic growth, social equity and environmental awareness for an enhanced quality of life. The pursuit of happiness and wellbeing is the cornerstone of Aruba s approach. The Government has developed these innovative policies through a consensus based approach known in Aruba as Social Dialogue which is adapted from the Dutch approach to governance of Polder Model. In implementing its national programs, Aruba benefits from its relationships with Dutch as well as American institutions. Aruba is working with TNO, a renowned not-for-profit organization for applied scientific research in the Netherlands. TNO established its Caribbean Branch Office in Aruba in In addition, Aruba has established partnerships with the Carbon War Room and Harvard University to jointly develop Aruba as model for other countries to transition off fossil fuels and to pursue smart growth of world class walkable communities. This document will provide an overview of some of the most important

3 Wind farm at Vader Piet generating 20 % of Aruba s electricity. Second wind farm on the way. initiatives Aruba has taken, and plans to take, to ensure sustainable growth and prosperity. The Knowledge Economy - Green Gateway The economy of Aruba is 70% dependent on the tourism industry. Diversifying the economy and reducing Aruba s reliance on a single sector is integral to the Government s long term strategic goals. Aruba is developing a new pillar of the economy a knowledge economy to bring greater diversification, economic stability, growth and sustainability. This important new pillar is based on Aruba s initiative to develop the island as a gateway between Latin America and the European Union in the areas of green technology, business support services and creative industries. Aruba is making use of its proximity to Latin America and its knowledge of not only the language (Arubans speak Spanish in addition to Dutch, English and Papiamento) but of business practices and customs in the region. As a Member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba also is relying on its privileged legal and constitutional status as a Member of this major trading country within the European Union. In addition, Aruba plans to establish a collaborative public-private-academic entity as a center of excellence for tourism in Aruba with the support of internationally renowned tourism education institutes in Europe and the Americas, as well as local Aruban institutions. Finally, Aruba will be developing highly skilled jobs as it transitions to renewable energy. Europe Meets the Americas Conference With the aim to promote Aruba as a gateway between Latin America and the European Union, the Government of Aruba hosted in May 2013 an international trade conference Europe meets the Americas; Aruba your business gateway. This unique conference offered entrepreneurs from Latin America, the Caribbean region, and Europe the unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with potential partners. The three-day program provided valuable information on the business opportunities within the different continents and regions, presented by prominent international speakers. In addition, the regional ambassadors of the Dutch Kingdom were present to provide specific information on their respective countries, as well as provide support in building networks within those countries. Furthermore, each participating company had an opportunity to be matched to potential partners to explore and develop concrete business opportunities, using Aruba as a hub or end destination, during one-on-one sessions. 3

4 New solar park under construction at airport parking lot. Green Energy 5,000 wind and 2,500 solar hours The Government of Aruba is aggressively promoting the use of renewable energy, most notably solar and wind energy. With over 5,000 wind and 2,500 solar hours annually, Aruba has tremendous potential for sustainable energy generation. The Vader Piet wind farm already generates part of Aruba s electricity needs, and there is a second wind farm in development. Aruba also is developing an airport solar park and has plans for a waste-to-energy plant. In addition, Arubans are installing solar panels on residential and commercial buildings. When completed, these projects -- together with Vader Piet will generate a substantial percentage of Aruba s power needs. With the help of partners, such as TNO and the Carbon War Room and in close consultation with Aruban Utilities, Aruba is developing plans to go much farther, however, and become one of the leading countries in the world in the use of renewable energy. Aruba understands the limitations on wind and solar energy because of intermittency issues. Consequently, it is investigating newer technologies for both energy production and storage as these become more reliable and cost effective. 4 Reduction of Fuel Oil Use from 6,000 to 3,500 Barrels per Day Prime Minister Eman s vision for pursuing renewable energy already has achieved positive results and a substantial reduction in the use of fuel oil and a commensurate reduction of electricity and water prices. The water and electricity plant, WEB N.V., has successfully introduced 20% wind energy on the grid and has upgraded and modernized its equipment in order to produce water and electricity more economically. The electricity distribution company, N.V. Elmar, has implemented several effective energy conservation programs. As a direct result of these efforts, Aruba has been able to lower prices for households, businesses and sports clubs by 15% for electricity and by 30% for water; and reduce electricity prices for all sports field in Aruba by 50%. Aruba s Smart Community TNO and the Aruban Utility Companies In February 2014, the Government, the utilities companies and TNO signed a cooperation agreement to construct a Smart Community of 20 homes with an emphasis on sustainable living. The goal is to develop knowledge of scalable technology solutions that can be replicated and used elsewhere in Aruba and throughout the region. The specific areas of research include energy saving technologies in housing construction,

5 Dutch Minister Ronald Plasterk, Prime Minister Mike Eman and Wubbo Ockels at the arrival of the Ecolution in Aruba after its maiden voyage over the Atlantic ocean. The Ecolution was designed by Dutch ex-astronaut Wubbo Ockels and is the first ship to generate her own energy. water treatment and reuse, and the integration of renewable energy into smart grids. Rendering of Smart Community Lab being developed by Government of Aruba, TNO and Utility Companies Prime Minister Mike Eman and Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Carbon War Room, at the Rio +20 Summit on Sustainable Development announcing the Aruba- CWR Partnership. Cooperation with the Carbon War Room On June 20, 2012, the Government of Aruba and the Carbon War Room, the global initiative founded by Sir Richard Branson and other entrepreneurs, announced during the UN s Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development a partnership to transition the island to 100% renewable energy. The partnership would make Aruba the world s first sustainable energy economy, with the Government of Aruba and Carbon War Room working to devise an integrated strategy for the economy-wide transition a world first, if successful. Carbon War Room accepted the challenge of the United Nations to take the lessons learned in Aruba and apply them in ten other island nations, so the Aruba model will be exported globally. Green Aruba Conferences As a part of its green energy agenda, the Government of Aruba has initiated an annual international conference on Aruba on Green Energy: the Green Aruba Conference. The fourth such conference was held on October Previous conferences in Aruba featured renowned speakers such as then Prince of Orange (now the King of the Netherlands), former US Vice- President Al Gore, European Union Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, President of the Carbon War Room and former President of Costa Rica, Jose Maria Figueres, all of whom delivered remarkable keynote presentations. In 2013, the Aruba Green Conference was presented jointly with the prestigious Caribbean Regional Energy Forum. In October 2014, the Government will 5

6 Aruban Javier Sint Jago after winning the Solar race in Australia host Green Aruba, Where Europe Meets the Americas, which will combine the fifth Green Aruba Conference with the second Europe Meets the America Conference. Aruban students at TU Delft (Netherlands) At each of the Green Conferences Aruba has highlighted the innovative work young and talented Arubans are doing at universities such as the Delft Technical University in Delft. Aruban students have made important contributions to flagship projects such as the Ecolution (the first ship to generate its own energy), the green force hydrocar and the NUNA project solar cars. In 2013, the NUNA 7 won the World Solar Challenge competition in Australia. Cooperation with Harvard University The Government of Aruba hosted in January 2012 the Aruba-Harvard Workshop on Sustainable Energy and Development. Seven leading professors from Harvard University in the fields of business, science, engineering, ecology and public policy came to Aruba to examine in both broad and narrow terms the status of Aruba s efforts on sustainable energy, the challenges and the plans for the future. The goal of Aruba s partnership with Harvard is to explore creative solutions and approaches not only for Aruba, but for the entire region. 6 Aruba Harvard workshop on Sustainable Development at Dr. Edward Cheung Center of Innovation Smart Growth Urban Renewal The concept of smart growth addresses many areas beyond the transition to renewable energy. It also involves the creation of world-class walkable destinations for tourists and residents; providing incentives for household retrofit and commercial energy efficiency; implementing a sustainable approach to smart growth in the tourism sector to create an inspirational holiday destination; and creating an agriculture sector in Aruba that makes the best use of water resources. One of the first steps on this path is to build a Green Platform to promote the transition to renewable forms of energy and to develop a land use and urban planning component that supports this transition. The land use and urban planning component has the potential to contribute significantly towards the

7 Students presenting their green project as part of Green S Cool Program. additional 20 neighbourhoods are receiving major improvements. With the large scale city renewal and community enhancement programs of Bo Aruba and Bo Bario, the Government of Aruba is promoting wider participation in its social and civic networks in a way that will generate greater productivity, health, wellbeing and happiness among its citizens. Aruba Streetcar in downtown Oranjestad: the world s first municipal streetcar system which uses hydrogen fuel cell technology. The streetcar is designed especially for Aruba and runs off a battery that is charged through wind or solar energy reduction of dependence on fossil fuel. As places are built in a more compact, diverse and complete manner, people will be encouraged to walk more and to drive less, thus reducing vehicle miles traveled and subsequently the CO2 emissions per capita. And, equally, if not more importantly, these steps will promote greater social cohesion in our neighborhoods. Social and Economic Growth Urban Renewal A key driver for socio-economic growth is being achieved through the Government s innovative programs, Bo Aruba (Your Aruba) and Bo Bario (Your Neighborhood). In executing these programs, the Government of Aruba is setting a standard for the private sector to follow and emulate. Both the city centers of Aruba s capital (Oranjestad) and Aruba s sunrise city (San Nicolas) are undergoing a major face-lift and an Green University - Preparing Professionals To achieve its ambitious goals in transitioning off fossil fuels, Aruba will need a workforce that has the skill and capacity to make this a reality. To address this need, the University of Aruba, in partnership with the Caribbean Branch Office of the TNO with the support of the Government, will increase educational opportunities for sustainable technology on the island. In cooperation with US and European partners and universities, Aruba s Green Center of Excellence plans to offer a Bachelor Degree on Environment, Energy and Entrepreneurship as early as Green Primary Schools Empowering Students Green Primary Schools Empowering Students The Government of Aruba launched the Green S Cool Program to make Aruban schools more energy efficient, sustainable and economically independent by involving and empowering students so they become more aware of the environment.

8 the Bus di Salud or Health Bus, which provides Arubans with free access to Personal Prevention (PP) health screening and a breakdown of individual health risk factors as well as preventative health and lifestyle advice. The PP is an important health initiative that began in the Netherlands and that Aruba is now actively promoting on the island. Green S Cool program on sustainable food supplies. The program will use workshops and contests to encourage students to make their schools more energy efficient. It will allow participation of public and private companies, which also may benefit from the practical and interesting solutions the students develop for their schools. The program currently consists of seven topics: water, solar, wind, architecture, E-cars, cooling and sustainable food supplies. The long term goal of the program is to integrate the topics of Green S Cool in the curriculum of the schools and involve the entire community. The health bus parked in front of the Institute for an Active and Healthy Life which provides Arubans with free access to health screening. Health, Sports and Wellbeing Aruba recognizes the important links between health, happiness and wellbeing. As part of its urban renewal plan, Aruba is making more parks and public spaces available for, and conducive to, walking, jogging and cycling. Perhaps the single best example is the construction of a linear park that will follow the gorgeous coastline of Aruba for nearly ten miles from the Queen Beatrix International Airport to the world famous Palm Beach, home of Aruba s spectacular high rise hotels. The park, when completed, will be one of the world s longest linear parks, and certainly one of the most beautiful. In addition to building the infrastructure of parks and sidewalks to foster great movement and walkability for the population, the Government is assisting businesses and organizations on the island to promote and organize numerous sports and physical activities for community participation through its newly established Instituto Biba Saludabel y Activo (IBiSA) or Institute for an Active and Healthy Life. In addition, IBiSA has begun a program known as 8

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10 Government of Aruba L.G.Smith Blvd. 76 Oranjestad, Aruba Tel. (297) Fax. (297)