COSTA Rica has made a major statement in the fight against climate change, pledging to a plan of zero emissions by 2050. Upon announcing the National Decarbonisation Plan, Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada commented: “Decarbonisation is the great task of our generation and Costa Rica must be among the first countries to achieve it, if not the first”.
Arenal volcano, Costa Rica
The strategy focuses on four key sectors of sustainability: transport and sustainable mobility; energy, green building and industry; integrated waste management; and agriculture, land use and nature based solutions. Whether or not other nations follow Costa Rica’s example is yet to be seen.
Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica
Recent shifts in the international political landscape have a had a devastating impact on our environment- under the Trump administration American policy has favoured fossil fuels over renewable energy, while the decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement evidenced a clear prioritisation of the economy over the environment. Equally worrying are developments in Brazil, where Jair Bolsonaro wasted no time in deregulating deforestation of the Amazon, as well axing his environmental panel since taking office at the start of the year.
Drake Bay, Costa Rica
In this climate of fear it’s heartening to hear such a statement of intent from Carlos Alvarado Quesada, a former novelist who took power in 2018 on a gay rights platform. He will hope to continue Costa Rica’s proud record on environmental issues.
Tortuguero, Costa Rica
The Central American nation, home to 5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity, has made significant leaps in “green growth” over the past few decades. 99 per cent of Costa Rica’s energy is drawn from renewable sources, the national electric grid is 95 per cent free of carbon emissions, while deforestation remains comparatively low.
by Charlie Navin-Holder