Costa Rica: A Global Leader in Sustainability
Costa Rica is known to produce more than 98 percent of its energy from renewable sources, protect 25 percent of its land with national parks, and hold about 5 percent of the planet’s total biodiversity. In 2019, Costa Rica was awarded the Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s highest environmental honor, for leading successful sustainable practices and setting an example for other nations.
Costa Rica’s sustainable practices include banning all single-use plastics such as straws, bags, cups, and bottles, and becoming carbon neutral (the result of a net-zero release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere) by 2021.
Today, the global temperature is rising at an unprecedented rate, and radical actions are needed to combat climate catastrophe. Let’s take a look at how Costa Rica is paving the way for a sustainable future.
Renewable Energy
Costa Rica receives more than 100 inches of rain per year. Most of Costa Rica’s electricity is generated by hydro(water) facilities. Costa Rica also generates energy from renewable sources such as geothermal, wind, solar, and biomass facilities. No fossil fuels have been burnt to generate electricity since December 2014, and in 2017, Costa Rica ran for a record 300 days solely on renewable power.
Sustainable Programs
There are multiple sustainably-minded programs in Costa Rica. One of its most known programs is the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST). This program is aimed at motivating Costa Rican businesses such as hotels to take a long-term view on maintaining Costa Rica’s environment, culture, and community.
The CST program rates businesses based upon how well they follow certain sustainable practices. Businesses receive a CST rating from 0 to 5. Higher ratings are awarded to businesses with better sustainable practices. This measurement allows consumers to make educated purchasing decisions, turning sustainability into something tangible.
“The main purpose of the CST is to turn the concept of sustainability into something real, practical, and necessary in the context of tourism competitiveness in the country, trying to improve the way in which natural and social resources are used, promote an active participation of local communities, and provide a new support for the competitiveness of the entrepreneurial sector.” — Costa Rican Tourisim Institute
Under the CST, businesses across the country can demonstrate their commitment to preserving the environment and sustainability. This program has strengthened Costa Rica’s role position as a world leader in environmental conservation.
The Bandera Azul (Blue Flag) Ecological Program helps keep Costa Rica’s communities healthy, safe, and clean. It encourages communities to improve the area where they live, by incorporating environmental awareness programs, reforestation practices, or beach cleanups. The program awards communities across Costa Rica with a “Blue Flag” when they meet certain requirements. There are categories for beaches, watersheds, forests, and towns.
The Blue Flag program encourages Costa Rican communities to manage their resources through environmental education, civic participation, and proper waste management. Blue flag awardees are giving promotional materials to display on their beaches, forests, etc. to help with attracting and educating visitors about the importance of ecological protection, and are a good way for travelers to decide what destinations to visit and support as consumers.
Reforestation
In the 20th century, Costa Rica lost nearly 60% of its forests to meet the growing demand for meat. However, Costa Rica recovered its forests by implementing the Payments for Environmental Services (PES) program, which provides direct payments to landowners who adopt forest management practices that do not damage the environment.
As a result, Costa Rica’s forest cover today stands at more than 53 percent, and about 25 percent of the country’s territory is protected by the National System of Conservation Areas, or national parks.
In 1948, Costa Rica abolished their military, and used its savings from defense spending to improve the quality of education, healthcare, and environmental protection, while maintaining healthy relationships with other countries.
In addition, Costa Rica is currently ranked first in the world for sustainable happiness, according to the Happy Planet Index (HPI).
“We are a small country with big goals. Our pioneer spirit is part of what sets us apart. Historically, the country has established and achieved goals that have set an example to the world. We are the first country without an army, the first tropical country that has reverted the process of deforestation and we are taking actions towards becoming the first carbon-neutral country.”
— Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica Dr. Edgar Gutiérrez
As the world’s s leader in sustainability: environmentally, politically, and socially, Costa Rica will continue to pursue its sustainable practices, and inspire other nations to commit to policies that will combat climate change.
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