Arlington, VA – On the occasion of Earth Day, U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong reaffirmed USTDA’s commitment to safeguarding our environment by supporting the development of green infrastructure in emerging economies around the world. She also celebrated the three-year anniversary of the Agency’s flagship Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure (Global Climate Partnership).

“Through the Global Climate Partnership, USTDA has funded more than 80 activities in pursuit of a greener future for the energy and transportation sectors. U.S. companies are very competitive in low-emissions climate-resilient infrastructure innovations, and USTDA’s programming promotes their deployment to emerging economies that are seeking climate solutions,” said Director Ebong. “We deploy our full set of capabilities to advance sustainable infrastructure in pursuit of net-zero emissions, sustainable development, and energy security. Our authority to pilot U.S. technologies overseas also allows USTDA to help catalyze financing and replication of promising technologies.”

USTDA’s diverse climate mitigation portfolio of project preparation and partnership-building activities advances global commitments to reduce methane emissions, triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and triple nuclear power capacity by 2050.

• Methane Abatement Technologies: There is global consensus that reducing methane emissions is the fastest way to slow the pace of global climate change. Methane abatement technologies advance climate and energy security goals while monetizing an otherwise wasted energy source. Among other projects in the pipeline, USTDA has funded a series of reverse trade missions to connect energy sector leaders in 15 countries to U.S. companies that are ready to assist in tackling this challenge.

• Renewable-Plus-Storage Solutions: Renewable energy sources coupled with battery storage technology provide affordable access to clean, reliable and flexible power in communities that lack connection to a national power grid, creating an alternative to diesel and other fossil fuel sources. USTDA supports these weather-resistant “renewable-plus-storage” projects around the world, including projects in the Dominican Republic, Fiji, Indonesia, St. Lucia, and Zambia.

• Civil Nuclear Energy: USTDA is at the forefront of supporting our partners to develop frameworks for nuclear energy deployment and to advance individual infrastructure needs, including through small modular and other advanced nuclear reactors. USTDA’s recent portfolio of nuclear energy-related activities supports deployment of these effectively zero-emissions energy sources. In Poland and Romania, USTDA’s assistance led to the selection of U.S. technology for pioneering nuclear energy projects.

• Piloting U.S. Innovation: USTDA funds overseas pilot projects of U.S. technology, including advanced geothermal energy, ocean thermal energy conversion, and machine learning in electric grid management. Pilot projects can facilitate financing, scaling and replication across countries and regions.

USTDA is also investing in programming to support the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) initiative including through activities that enhance disaster preparedness, prepare for emergency response, and increase resilience in electrical grids and water systems in the face of unprecedented climate stresses. A whole-of-government initiative, PREPARE aims to help more than half a billion people in developing countries adapt to and manage climate change impacts.

The Agency’s climate and environment work also advances the U.S. government’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, supports the United States’ commitment to progress on the Global Methane Pledge, and contributes to the fulfillment of commitments at COP28.  USTDA is also a partner in the Net Zero World initiative.

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | press@ustda.gov