Coinfra Advances Social Justice Agenda in the Energy Transition

The Commission on Infrastructure and Energy Transitions (Coinfra), of the Organization of Latin American and Caribbean Supreme Audit Institutions (OLACEFS), held its second round of technical discussions on July 3. Representatives from its task forces delved into the challenges of the energy transition in Latin America and the Caribbean. The session focused on the thematic pillar “A Just and Inclusive Energy Transition” and was moderated by the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), which currently chairs the commission.

The session featured a dynamic technical exchange, combining the strategic vision of the International Energy Agency (IEA) with practical experiences shared by SAIs Argentina (leader of Task Force 2) and Guatemala. The goal was to test the applicability of Energy Transition Practical Guide in evaluating the social dimension of the energy transition, with emphasis on justice, equity, and inclusion.

Discussions highlighted the challenges faced by different countries in addressing territorial and social inequalities that directly impact the fairness of the transition process. Participants also identified strengths in the proposed methodology and offered suggestions for its refinement.

People at the Center

Matthieu Prin, an IEA policy analyst, spearheaded the session's international contribution, presenting his concept of "People-Centered Clean Energy Transitions." He emphasized five fundamental pillars to guarantee justice and inclusion throughout this transition: the creation of decent jobs, socioeconomic development, equity, social inclusion, and citizen participation.

He emphasized that investments in clean energy have driven job creation and can foster economic growth, particularly in developing countries. However, he cautioned that high energy costs disproportionately affect low-income households. To address this challenge, he presented examples of successful public policies aimed at reducing energy poverty and promoting equity.

Regional Cooperation

This activity is part of Coinfra’s broader strategy to promote regional knowledge exchange and strengthen the technical capacities of SAIs in the fields of infrastructure and energy transition. The inclusion of social perspectives in the commission’s agenda reflects OLACEFS members’ commitment to a just, sustainable, and people-centered energy transition.

Coinfra is chaired by the TCU and brings together 12 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) with the goal of systematizing audit methodologies that are adaptable to the diverse realities of the OLACEFS region.  

Each task force is led by a different SAI. Participating countries include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela, as well as the Province of Buenos Aires.