Juan Carlos Jobet Discusses Energy Transition with Latin American Students at Columbia

In the context of the Center on Global Energy Policy's (CGEP) Energy Summit 2024, Juan Carlos Jobet, a CGEP Distinguished Visiting Fellow and former Chilean Minister of Mining and Energy, held two engaging discussions with Chilean and Latin American students at the Columbia University campus on Thursday, April 18. The focus of the discussions was the energy transition and the crucial role critical minerals will play both in Chile and at a regional scale.

Organized by Patricia García-Huidobro (SIPA'25), Vice President of the Latin American and Caribbean Student Association (LASA) at SIPA, and Gabriela Manríquez (SIPA'25), a Global Energy Fellow at CGEP, both Chilean students pursuing an MPA in Energy & Environment at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), the events brought together students from various disciplines.

On Thursday morning, Jobet met with Chilean postgraduate students from Columbia's SIPA, Business, Law, and Engineering schools. The conversation centered on Chile's energy transition, the accelerated coal phase-out, its impact on national growth, and the opportunities that the country has in terms of the development and strengthening of industries such as lithium and copper. Given Chile's position as the world's largest holder of lithium and copper reserves, Jobet also emphasized the significant competitive advantages Chile holds, particularly in renewable energies and critical minerals. He also addressed the need for the development of a green hydrogen industry.

A second event, “Navigating a LATAM Powered Energy Transition,” was held that afternoon with a broader regional perspective. Moderated by García-Huidobro, the panel featured Jobet and Felipe Bernal (SIPA'24), an MPA in Global Leadership candidate. The discussion particularly focused on lithium's critical role in the global energy transition. Considering that the “lithium triangle,” a region nestled in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia, which holds 54% of the world's lithium reserves, this region plays a vital role not only in the transition to net-zero, but also serves as an economic engine for countries involved in this industry.

Throughout both discussions, Jobet, who currently serves as the dean of the Business School at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI), encouraged the students to pursue meaningful work opportunities in multidisciplinary fields where they can contribute to a better world.

The organizers emphasized the importance of these dialogues in fostering collaboration networks among Chilean students from various disciplines at Columbia. Additionally, they highlighted the opportunity to showcase Chile's potential in achieving global climate change goals to students from all over the world.