Several countries try with varying fortunes to deal with the climate crisis (while waiting for technology to take the decisive step), but nobody in the world is like Costa Rica.
Environmental sustainability is increasingly important, and solutions to combat the climate crisis are becoming increasingly necessary.
The Happy Planet Index, an index that measures the impact of states on the environment and the well-being of citizens, places Costa Rica in 1st place in the world.
A very green country
Costa Rica has imposed ever higher taxes on fossil fuels to finance forest protection and investments in renewable energy.
In just 30 years it has thus doubled the extent of its forests and introduced the concept that all costs of using fossil fuels must be paid double by those who use them, to compensate for the damage to the community.
Today's goal is the most ambitious of all: to completely eliminate plastic and fossils by 2021. If there is one country that can do it, it is Costa Rica. After all, it is home to the largest hydroelectric plant in Central America, on the Reventazón River, which alone provides 75% of energy from renewables.
Assets and benefits
With 99% of energy from renewable sources since 2014, Costa Rica has already made history. In 2018 it was held on renewables for over 300 days out of 365. Only a little effort is missing.
In terms of plastic use, the aim is to replace it 100% with recyclable and/or biodegradable alternatives.
Talk to the president
Carlos Alvarado Quesada is very optimistic about Costa Rica's environmental future. President Quesada claims that the country "is the first in the world to complete decarbonisation".
