Bodman, who was visiting the country, told leaders that countries that consume and export oil and natural gas need to place more emphasis on alternative energy technologies, the Trinidad & Tobago Express reported Wednesday.

The current administration there has not yet said if it has a defined policy for alternative energy technologies like ethanol or wind.

Bodman said investments in research and development of these technologies is vital, as climate change and high oil prices have increased the need for safe, reliable and clean sources of energy.

Bodman met with Energy Minister Conrad Enill privately as well to discuss several energy-related matters, including the security of this country's liquefied natural gas facilities.

Trinidad and Tobago is the largest exporter of LNG to the United States, and while Bodman praised it as a leader in the regional and global energy sector, he emphasized that the world's addiction to fossil fuels such as oil and gas must be broken.

The International Energy Agency estimates the world's primary energy needs will grow by 55 percent by the year 2030 and $22 trillion of investment will be needed to meet that expected demand, Bodman said.