Lourdes is a Policy Advisor based in Geneva, working at IISD’s Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI). Her research focuses on the analysis of energy subsidies (electricity and fossil fuels), the evaluation and design of sustainable energy policies and on developing communication strategies for energy subsidy reforms. She has worked in projects in Mexico, Guinea, Indonesia, China and India.
Prior to arriving at IISD, Lourdes with energy utilities developing pricing and supply-side support mechanisms for renewables and energy efficiency. She also has international consulting experience, working toward the definition of support mechanisms for renewable energy.
Lourdes holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, complemented by a specialized Master's in Energy Management. Of Spanish origin, Lourdes has lived in Germany, Switzerland, France, Norway and the Caribbean. She is fluent in Spanish, English, French and German.
All Publications
- Success Stories and a Network on Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform
Blog - January 17, 2019
Many countries and private sector leaders shared fossil fuel subsidy reform success stories at the recent United Nations climate talks in Katowice, Poland. - Improving and Refocusing Electricity Subsidies: Options for optimization in Mexico
Report - December 19, 2018
IISD is proud to partner with CONECC German-Mexican Energy Partnership on this report which identifies and evaluates options for reforming Mexico’s electricity subsidies. - Economic Instruments to Leverage Clean Energy Investment
Report - August 11, 2018
There is widespread recognition that the bulk of the investment needed to meet the Paris objectives and SDGs will have to come from private... - Getting on Target: Accelerating energy access through fossil fuel subsidy reform
Report - July 17, 2018
How can reforming fossil fuel subsidies accelerate universal energy access (SDG 7)? This paper reviews the financial and practical implications of fossil fuel subsidies for SDG 7. - The Health Cost of Coal in Indonesia
Report - May 30, 2018
This paper looks at the health impacts of coal, including related non-communicable diseases and their costs to Indonesians, suggesting several ways the country could reduce coal's negative impacts. - Missing the 23 Per Cent Target: Roadblocks to the development of renewable energy in Indonesia
Report - February 22, 2018
This report seeks to answer the question of why renewable energy deployment, particularly wind and solar, has not taken off in Indonesia. To understand the forces shaping the sector, and what can be done to remedy the situation, IISD conducted interviews with politicians, civil servants, industry representatives, renewable energy developers, civil society organizations, international donors and other stakeholders. A total of 26 interviews took place, revealing the roots of the problem, the broader political economy of the energy sector and some possible ways forward. - Case Study: What is the true cost of coal in Central Java?
Discussion Paper - October 23, 2017
PLN expects to expand coal power capacity in Central Java, which is in the centre of Indonesia's economic corridor. But are PLN plans realistic and what will this cost—not just the cost to rate-payers, but also in terms of impacts on climate change and air pollution? Are there alternatives to these developments? - A Guidebook to Reviews of Fossil Fuel Subsidies: From self-reports to peer learning
Guidebook - September 11, 2017
This guidebook provides a step-by-step approach to government reviews of fossil fuel subsidies. The guidebook covers the design of reviews, identification, measurement and evaluation of subsidies, via country case studies and practical tools, as a first step towards transparency and reform. - At the Crossroads: Balancing the financial and social costs of coal transition in China
Report - July 5, 2017
The global decline of the coal industry has led to job losses and mine closures. As Shanxi in China considers how to create new employment in a coal dependent region we review international experience of the tranistion away from coal. - Financial Supports for Coal and Renewables in Indonesia
Report - May 31, 2017
This report shows that the “true cost” of coal, including subsidies and externalities such as GHG emissions and air pollution, is considerably greater than the cost of renewable energy in Indonesia. - Making the Switch: From fossil fuel subsidies to sustainable energy
Report - May 11, 2017
This report estimates fossil fuel subsidies to be around USD 425 billion. Such subsidies represent large lost opportunities for governments to invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable development. - Stopping Payments to Polluters: Clearing the air with fossil fuel subsidy reform in China and India
Policy Brief - March 21, 2017
Improving urban air quality is a headline concern in both India and China. Fossil fuel subsidy reform is a potentially powerful tool in securing an improvement for both countries. - Learning from Leaders: Nordic and International Best Practice with Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform
Report - November 16, 2016
This report describes how Ethiopia, Morocco, Peru and the Philippines have reformed their subsidies. It also describes how countries including Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have introduced innovative policy instruments to encourage switching towards renewable and sustainable energy. - How to Pay the Bills? A survey of public attitudes to electricity tariff reform in Rajasthan
Report - November 7, 2016
This report presents the findings of a household survey that sheds light on the attitudes of electricity consumers toward tariff reform in the State of Rajasthan, India. - Indonesia's Financially Sustainable Electricity Sector
Report - October 7, 2016
This paper reviews the ability of Indonesia’s electricity sector to meet the country’s need for electricity in a financially sustainable way. - An Assessment of the Financial Sustainability of the Electricity Sector in Rajasthan
Report - August 9, 2016
This report examines the performance of the electricity sector in Rajasthan, assessing its ability to recover operating costs, reliably meet demand, make investments and operate according to environmental and social norms.