In progress, 90.7% of the goals for 2022 of the National Decarbonization Plan of Costa Rica

This Presidency of the Republic of Costa Rica release was published using machine translation.

San José. With great progress and 90.7% of the 2022 goals in execution, the National Decarbonization Plan (PND 2018-2050), promoted by the Government of the Republic, is two years old this Wednesday since its presentation on February 24, 2019.

Despite the fact that the health emergency generated by COVID-19 presented great challenges to meeting the goals established for each of the objectives of the 10 axes of the PND, progress remains firm and constant. In fact, 25% of the goals set in the initial stage (2018-2022) have already been completed.

The National Decarbonization Plan (PND) condenses strategic actions to promote the decarbonization of the Costa Rican economy, such as a commitment to a development model based on the bioeconomy, green growth, improvement of the quality of life of citizens and social inclusion.

The First Lady of the Republic, Claudia Dobles, affirmed that she was positive regarding the fulfillment of the PND's objectives for 2022, the year in which the transition from the “foundations” stage (2018-2022) to the “inflection” phase will be made. ”(2023-2030).

“The National Decarbonization Plan is a project in which the public and private sectors have worked together to carry out, throughout a complicated year, the goals set. We trust this plan as the route to build a Costa Rica with a sustainable economy, which improves the quality of life of the population and closes the social gaps for 2050 ”, stressed Dobles.

To date, 38 public entities, private companies and international cooperation reported actions, among which are government institutions, private companies, civil society, municipalities, autonomous institutions, among others.

«The National Decarbonization Plan gave us a clear route to modernize our economy, make it more efficient and provide well-being to our citizens. I am proud to see the progress in our cities and our landscapes. We have advanced in 90% of our goals by 2022, with initiatives such as the creation of Urban Natural Parks, the launch of the pilot of electric buses and dozens of projects in mobility, waste with the support of local governments and waste management systems. Agriculture and Livestock. This is the future that Costa Rica needs, "said the Minister of Environment and Energy, Andrea Meza.

Main advances

Sustainable mobility and public transport. In this axis, 6 prioritized trunk routes are reported in the National Development and Public Investment Plan in operation, equivalent to 58 prioritized kilometers for bus lanes in 9 sections, which means 65% progress in the delivery of new operational schemes for the 12 sectors of the Metropolitan Area.

In addition to the above, the piloting of three electric buses on Desamparados routes began and ARESEP set the rate for recharging electric buses on campus at 57.08 colones per kWh and the first stage of the cycle path to the east was inaugurated in the canton of Montes de Oca.

In this area, the goal of including 16 municipalities in the Country Program for Carbon Neutrality 2.0 cantonal category was exceeded, in total 21 cantons and 2 districts have been included.

In addition, 15 municipalities in the interurban train corridor have initiated actions towards the implementation of transport-oriented development (TOD). The goal by 2022 is for at least 3 municipalities to implement transportation-oriented development practices.

Zero emissions light transport. In this area, 35 government institutions purchased 332 electric vehicles. In addition, 62.3% of the goal of installing recharging centers for vehicles planned for 2022 was met, by implementing 43 of the 69 planned fast power centers. A rate (colones / minute) was set for fast recharge centers.

A study was carried out to identify financial mechanisms for sustainable mobility and low or zero emission vehicles, resulting as the most promising instruments an adjustment to the marking system through an environmental component, as well as the design of a new calculation formula based on the environmental impact rather than the price of the vehicle.

Zero emissions cargo transportation. Process of implementation of operation of the Limonense Electric Freight Train (TELCA). There is a 60% execution in the plan to integrate the use of light and heavy cargo transport into the cargo distribution and commercialization model. We are working on the completion of the Market Study on the intensive use of rail transport for the mobilization of goods on long journeys with greater demand; and the completion of chapters on the operational strategy and intermodal yards of the Feasibility Study.

Renewable electric energy at a competitive cost. The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) and the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL) met the goal of maintaining a 100% renewable electricity matrix in 2020. In addition, 5 high-consumption companies have been advised by ICE in the framework of the Energy Efficiency Program under the ISO 50001 standard.

The “B” Medium Voltage tariff was established, applicable to large consumers (electro-intensive companies) and ISO-50001 companies. Added to this, Grupo ICE installed 623,633 Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology meters, exceeding the goal of 274,240. During 2020 alone, 348,974 AMIs were installed.

In addition, the report on the offshore wind potential for electricity generation in Costa Rica was completed and the analysis of environmental restrictions for the prioritization of usable energy areas and the identification stage of the Punta Descartes Offshore Wind Project was completed.

Sustainable and low-emission buildings. Through the EDGE certification, 78 buildings were recognized for a total area of 4614.62 m2, while the LEED certification affirmed 15 projects with a cumulative area of 954 508.83 m2, a growth of 14.53% compared to 2019.

The Ecological Blue Flag Program-Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica was created in the category of “Sustainable Construction”. In addition, 736 buildings and 29 municipalities were awarded in the climate change category of the Ecological Blue Flag Program for a total of 20,704.84 Ton CO₂ equivalents avoided.

Finally, 170 companies with carbon neutrality declarations were verified under the standards of the Country Carbon Neutrality Program and the INTE B-5 standard.

Low emission industrial sector. For this axis of work, eco-efficient split-type air conditioning equipment with R-290 was introduced to Costa Rica with 67 units installed, with 909 kg of R-22 refrigerant installed and replaced by recirculated NH3 / CO₂. 392 kg of refrigerant gas was destroyed by co-processing in HOLCIM, preventing its escape to the environment and the release of 392 tCO₂e.

Additionally, FIFCO invested in research into compostable and naturally sourced packaging to replace plastic as we know it today. For its part, the PMR project has developed a pilot where 3 Life Cycle analyzes (LCA) were prepared for medical devices, fruits and tourist accommodation services.

Comprehensive waste management. For this axis, with respect to wastewater management, an advance of 14.20% is reported in Palmares, 14.25% in Jacó, 14.30% in Quepos, 14.83% in Golfito and 14.83% in Ciudad de Limón, according to results and goals set for the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy. In addition, the progress of the San José Metropolitan Area Environmental Improvement Project is reported at 75.5%.

In addition to the above, the Step-by-Step Guide was created to facilitate the “Transition of Local Governments towards a Circular Economy: Case of Costa Rica” and training was carried out for 13 local governments. Along the same lines, the official launch of the Ecomunidades program was carried out with San Carlos as the first Ecomunidad in the country. The local governments of Acosta, Siquirres, Moravia, Goicoechea, Dota and Grecia have agreements to be part of the program.

DINADECO is in charge of developing the comprehensive waste management model for the Ecomunidades program with the support of a technical team from the Technological Institute of Costa Rica. This same institution is responsible for executing a training cycle for development associations on disposing of recoverable waste.

23 national technical standards have been developed for labeling single-use plastics RCM (renewable, compostable and marine compostables) and the management of 4060 tons of solid waste per day is reported. There are 4 100% circular economy pilots: Pilot of the Municipality of San Isidro Heredia, the Framework Sustainability Index promoted by FIFCO, Eco-plant of production with Florex Ecolones model, and model of change of inputs to reduce emissions of Holcim.

Low carbon agri-food systems. In this case, 3 processes are reported for emission reduction programs initiated. There is an agreement of the Board of Directors with private sector institutions: FEDECAÑA, CONARROZ and CORBANA. In addition, cooperation resources are under management to design farms that implement technologies within the framework of the NAMA model for rice, musaceae, and sugar cane.

Looking ahead to 2022, it is proposed to develop 2 new emission reduction programs in: banana, rice, sugar cane, in addition to 2 financial instruments enabled to promote the transformation of producers.

Low emission livestock model. For this work axis, progress is reported with 860 cattle farms that have implemented technologies in accordance with the NAMA model, and they were also registered in the National Agricultural Extension Directorate System (SDNEA), meeting 48.5% of the goal set for the 2022.

Added to the above, there is a count of more than 25 dairy farms with biodigester systems and 325 new farms apply the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) methodology, accumulating a total of 1075 farms, which complies with 63% of the goal set for 2022 considering those reported in 2019. More than 150 technicians from MAG and CORFOGA were trained in the MVR methodology.

Territory management with nature-based solutions. In this regard, the goal of restoring at least three kilometers of Urban Corridors was surpassed, after achieving the restoration of 64 hectares in the María Aguilar Interurban Biological Corridor (CBI) and three hectares in the Torres CBI. In addition, 14 management plans were developed for Biological Corridors and 3 Management Plans were prepared for CBI.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA) lead “Clean Rivers”, the National Strategy for the Recovery of Urban Watersheds 2020-2030. On the other hand, the Regional Strategy for the Management and Conservation of Mangroves in the Gulf of Nicoya - Costa Rica 2019-2030 was made official.

Finally, progress was made in the creation of Urban Natural Parks and the preparation of the National Strategy for the Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD +) was completed and its financing is being sought. In addition, the reforestation actions and implementation of the hydraulic restoration program of the sites were started together with the selected communities.