Environmental markets in Central America

Introductory sections outline the major political, economic, and social trends in Central America, the major environmental issues facing the region, and the most promising environmental market opportunities; brief economic, environmental, and regulatory profiles of the seven study countries are also provided. The bulk of the report assesses market needs, opportunities, and strategic considerations in Central America for the following environmental sectors: water delivery, water pollution control, waste management, air pollution control, green environmental markets, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. According to the report, the most important environmental market opportunities are those that will help address the region"s enormous needs for the basic environmental services -- clean, renewable energy power plants, water delivery systems, and water pollution control technologies -- that comprise over 90% of the region"s total environmental market. Guatemala, Costa Rica, and El Salvador account for nearly three-quarters of the region"s total estimated near-term environmental market. U.S. companies seeking to do business in Central American environmental markets need to be aware of several factors: the diffuse character of environmental decisionmaking authority in the region; the slow but uncertain progress of environmental regulatory change; the constrained ability of users to pay for environmental services; the need to mobilize growing community involvement and public pressure; and factors affecting the competitiveness of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Includes bibliography and a list of U.S. government and organizational contacts.