The IDB aims to provide solutions to the development challenges faced by countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. To achieve this, the IDB lends money, provides grants, and offers research, advice, and technical assistance to central governments, city authorities, and small businesses. Under its Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Initiative, the IDB provides funding to expand investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, increase access to international carbon finance, and mainstream adaptation to climate change into the policies and programmes across sectors in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Under its Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Initiative (SECCI), the IDB has funded a wide range of different projects promoting and implementing sustainable energy and energy efficiency measures. SECCI funds can be used for a variety of different activities, including hiring specialised consultant services, purchasing necessary goods, technical assistance, project preparation, feasibility studies, demonstration projects, pilot projects, investment programmes, partnerships, training and knowledge dissemination.