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Environment & Sustainability Guide · Costa Rica

Environment & Sustainability Guide in Costa Rica

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies

Costa Rica exemplifies environmental leadership, achieving 99% renewable electricity in 2023 and protecting 25% of its land as parks and reserves. Despite stable air quality and high water access, climate change brings 1.2°C warming since 1990, more intense floods, and biodiversity threats. Policies like zero net deforestation since 1990 support its top EPI ranking.

Air Quality Index

0510

Good

7.5/10(AQI: N/A)

Stable trend

Costa Rica's air quality is generally good with stable trends over 6 months per database. Urban areas like San José see moderate PM2.5 from traffic, but rural regions excel. Government monitoring via MINAE shows PM2.5 averages below WHO guidelines.

Water Quality

0510

Excellent

8.5/10

Costa Rica provides safe drinking water to 99% of urban and 92% overall population via AyA treatment meeting WHO standards. Sources include pollution from agriculture and tourism, but monitoring ensures low contamination levels.

99% urban access to safely managed drinking water; rigorous treatment and testing.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure covers major cities with municipal programs for plastics, paper, glass, and organics. National rate around 20-25%, growing via Ley de Gestión Integral de Residuos. Challenges persist in rural areas.

Recycling Rate: 22.0%

plasticpaperglassorganic

Green Spaces

Costa Rica protects 25% of land (5M+ ha) in 29 national parks and 200+ reserves, maintaining 52% forest cover via reforestation since 1990.

Forest Coverage: 52.0%

National Parks: 29

SINAC manages extensive network covering diverse ecosystems from cloud forests to coasts.

Environmental Policies

Costa Rica enforces strong laws like zero deforestation goal (achieved 2019-2023), 70% carbon neutral by 2050. Leads Paris Agreement with high NDC ambition.

Key Policies:

•Plan Nacional Descarbonización
•Ley de Biodiversidad
•Pago por Servicios Ambientales

Renewable Energy: 99% renewable electricity achieved 2019; targets 100% energy decarbonization by 2050.

Natural Disaster Risk

MODERATE

Common risks: earthquakes, floods, volcanic activity, hurricanes. Recent: Hurricane Eta/Iota 2020 caused 1 death, 4K displaced; floods 2021 killed 5.

earthquakesfloodsvolcanoeshurricanes

Climate Change Impacts: Temperatures rose 1.2°C 1990-2020; extreme rain events up 20% since 2000 per IMN. Flood frequency increased 15% last 20 years; precipitation more variable with intense storms. Sea level rise 3-5mm/yr threatens coasts. Droughts in Guanacaste worsened 10-15% since 1990s.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

Reached 99% renewable electricity (hydro, geothermal, wind) in 2023; national plan targets full decarbonization by 2050 with geothermal expansion.

Waste Management

Ley REP mandates producer responsibility; 100% municipal recycling coverage goal by 2025, reducing landfill waste 30% since 2018.

Biodiversity Protection

Payment for Ecosystem Services program pays 1M+ ha conservation, achieving zero net deforestation 2019-2023.

Wildlife & Nature

JaguarNear Threatened

Great Green MacawEndangered

Resplendent QuetzalNear Threatened

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