This plan is approved under the first Action Plan of the National Policy for Adaptation to Climate Change of Costa Rica 2018 - 2030 (PNACC). It aims to implement the adaptation objectives set out in the country's updated NDC, namely to strengthen the conditions of social, economic and environmental resilience of the country in the face of the effects of climate change, through the development of capacities and information for decision-making, the inclusion of adaptation criteria in financing and planning instruments, the adaptation of services public, productive systems and infrastructure, and the implementation of nature-based solutions.&nbsp;

The biofuel regulation aims to foster the development of the biofuel industry in Costa Rica. For this purpose, the decree regulates the production, transport, storage, and trade of biofuels. It designates the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) as the institutions in charge of promoting, implementing and managing the development of the National Biofuels Programme. &nbsp; &nbsp;According to the decree, prices of raw materials employed in the production of biofuels as well as the sales of biofuels to consumers and to the national oil refinery (RECOPE) are to be determined by the market. However, the prices of fossil fuels mixed with biofuels are regulated by the competent national authority. &nbsp; &nbsp;The Decree further sets up the National Research and Development Bioenergy Policy to enhance the environmental sustainability of biofuel production, increase production, and support research in new sources of biomass.

This plan sets out the government's strategy to decarbonise Costa Rica's economy until 2050. It differentiates between the initial phase (2018-2022), the inflection period (2022-2030), and the "massive deployment" (2031-2050). The Plan is organised around ten focus areas: 1) &nbsp;Development of a mobility system base on safe, efficient and renewable public transport, and active and shared mobility schemes. 2) Transformation of the light duty vehicle fleet to a zero emissions one, nourished by energy that is renewable and not of fossil origin. 3)&nbsp;Promotion of a freight transport that adopts modalities, technologies and energy sources that emit zero or the lowest possible emissions. 4)&nbsp;Consolidation of the national electric system with the capacity, flexibility, intelligence, and resilience necessary to supply and manage renewable energy at competitive cost. 5)&nbsp;Development of buildings of different uses (commercial, residential, institutional) under high efficiency standards and low emission processes. 6)&nbsp;Modernization of the industrial sector through the application of electrical, efficient, and sustainable processes and technologies of low and zero emissions. 7)&nbsp;Development of an integrated waste management system based on the separation, reuse, revaluation, and final disposal of maximum efficiency and low greenhouse gas emissions. 8)&nbsp;Promotion of highly efficient agricultural food systems that generate low-carbon local consumption and export goods 9)&nbsp;Consolidation of an eco- competitive livestock model based on productive efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gases. 10)&nbsp;Consolidation of a model of management of rural, urban, and coastal territories that facilitates the protection of biodiversity, the increase and maintenance of forest cover and ecosystem services based on nature-based solutions.

This plan aims to promote the use of hydrogen in the transport sector. It is notably based on decree 35991-MINAET that regulates the organisation of the energy sector in the country.&nbsp;

This Policy is proposed as a guiding framework that will guide the country's actions in terms of adaptation. It establishes an overall and sectoral diagnostic about how climate change will impact Costa Rica, synthesises the global and national legal norms under which the government has to place its adaptation efforts, discusses the institutional framework under which these efforts must be undertaken, and develops a strategy.&nbsp; The general objective of the policy is to "move towards a model of resilient development of the Costa Rican society, which avoids human losses and moderate the material damages generated by the adverse effects of climate change, contributes to the quality of life of the most vulnerable populations and takes advantage of the opportunities to innovate and transform the productive sectors and ensure the continuity of public services."&nbsp; It seeks in particular to strengthen capacities and resilience conditions, reduce vulnerability / damages and losses, and take advantage of opportunities generated by adaptation measures. Human rights, gender equity, focus on indigenous people and integrated solutions are jointly pursued.&nbsp; The policy further aims to: 1) improve knowledge management on the effects of climate change, climate services and the development of local and institutional capacities 2) Promote conditions for the resilience of human and natural systems through territorial, marine and coastal planning 3) better manage biodiversity, ecosystems, watersheds and marine and coastal spaces for adaptation 4) adapt public services and make infrastructure resilient 5) adapt eco-competitive production systems 6) foster investment and financial security for climate action.

This law creates the regulatory framework to regulate the promotion of electric transport in the country and strengthen public policies to encourage its use within the public sector and in the general public.  This law regulates the public administrative organization linked to electric transport, institutional competences and their stimulus, through exemptions, incentives and public policies, in compliance with the commitments acquired in international conventions ratified by the country and Article 50 of the Constitution.Decree 41092-MINAE-H-MOPT regulates incentives for electric transport.Executive decree 42489-MINAE-H regulates the exemption of the tax on sales and the selective consumption tax on spare parts for electric vehicles and exemption from the selective consumption tax and 1% on the customs value for parts and recharging centers.

The Law addresses the transport sector, which is the sector with the highest share of emissions in Costa Rica. It modernises the Costa Rican Railroad Institute (INCOFER) and allows it to take on debt up to a maximum equivalent to 40 per cent of its assets, in order to build an electric train network, with the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector. &nbsp;The full name of the law is: Fortalecimiento del Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (INCOFER) y Promoción del Tren Eléctrico Interurbano de la Gran Area Metropolitana.

The 1996 Forest Law establishes the protection, conservation and management of forest areas as a priority and central responsibility of the State. The government is in charge of regulating and supervising the use and exploitation of forest resources in a sustainable manner. In addition, the government should seek to improve living conditions for rural communities. &nbsp; &nbsp;The law forbids land cover changes in forest and calls for moderate use of natural resources. At the institutional level, the law establishes the creation of the National Forest Office, in charge of proposing policies and programmes on forest issues, as well as managing the activities of projects in place, working closely with local communities and other governmental bodies. Operating on the basis of decentralisation of policy-making, the 1996 law also supported the Regional Environmental Councils, which have played a limited role so far. &nbsp; &nbsp;Creating the Payment for Environmental Services (PES) Programme, the law rewards landholders for their environmental services, which include:</div><ul><li>mitigation of GHG emissions through emissions reduction and carbon fixation, capture, storage or absorption;</li><li>protection of water for urban, rural or hydroelectric use;</li><li>biodiversity conservation for conservation, sustainable use, scientific investigation or genetic enhancement; and</li><li>protection of ecosystems or scenic natural beauty for tourism or science.</li></ul><div>&nbsp;In addition, Forest Conservation Certificates (CCB) are available, although less used due to their long-term nature. To be eligible for the CCB scheme, forest resources should not have been extracted in the two years previous to the application and should remain preserved for a minimum of 20 years of the validity of the Certificate. A share of 5% of the amount granted should be designated to the Forest Fund. &nbsp; &nbsp;The Law establishes the Forest Fund aiming at: fostering capacity building and research activities on best practices in the forest sector; preventing fires and plagues in forest areas; promoting reforestation plans; protecting soil; preventing water and air contamination; promoting forest products; building institutional capacities. A third of the funds collected annually from the tax on fuels and hydrocarbons are to be dedicated to the PES Programme for GHG emissions reduction and to programmes for protection and support of biodiversity through forest protection, conservation and reforestation. The budget of the Fund is formed mainly of contributions from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, donations from international and national organisations and entities, taxes, fines and revenues associated to forest activities, and forest bonds. &nbsp; &nbsp;Additionally, the law sets up the National Forest Financing Fund (FONAFIFO), to finance the activities of small and medium producers that relate to forestation and reforestation, restoration of degraded land, technological changes and sustainable use of forest resources. Holding legal personality, the Fund raises funds for the payment of environmental services that contribute to the development of the natural resources sector.

This law consolidates the participation of the State in the promotion and gradual execution of the programme for the efficient use of energy. It also attempts to establish mechanisms to achieve energy efficiency, taking environmental protection into account. &nbsp; &nbsp;The Ministry for Natural Resources and Energy is responsible for the implementation, monitoring the 'National Programme for the Rational Use of Energy'. To promote this objective, the law establishes the obligation to execute energy efficiency programmes of rational use of energy in companies with high consumption levels. Companies have the legal obligation to report the precise amount of energy they use. When the amount is beyond the maximum level allowed by the Ministry, businesses are notified and have three months to submit a plan to reduce their energy consumption, within six months. The government can, in certain circumstances, provide specific technical recommendations to these companies. &nbsp; &nbsp;The Law calls for the creation of campaigns to raise public awareness on the rational use of energy, including educational programmes in schools. All products must publicly announce their level of energy consumption. &nbsp; &nbsp;Producers of machines and/or vehicles that use energy (of any source) must obtain authorisation from the Ministry relating to their energy efficiency before beginning production of these goods. The import of similar equipment (including vehicles) is conditional on the submission of energy efficiency data. &nbsp; &nbsp;The law determines that the Ministry for Natural Resources, Energy and Mining is in charge of determining limits for emissions from vehicles, to be monitored and controlled by the Ministry of Transport. &nbsp; &nbsp;Additionally, it exempts equipment used for renewable energy from import duties and provides for other tax exemptions (excise tax, ad valorem tax, general sales tax, specific customs tax). Fines and penalties apply upon breaching the law. &nbsp; &nbsp;Additional legislative and executive regulation specifies mechanisms of support for clean technologies and rational use of energy. Those include an Executive Decree reforming the incentives system for the use of hybrid electrical vehicles; a modification of the law to provide tax exemption for equipment and certain materials, imported as well as produced domestically that contribute to energy savings and rational use; a decree that establishes new rules of the ‘Bandera Azul Ecológica'certification programme for climate-friendly communities and private housing (energy efficiency, low GHG emissions, etc.); and a directive that requires the energy and telecommunications sectors to adopt administrative, financial, legal and technical measuresto ensure citizens' access to cleaner energies at the least possible cost.

This law requires MINAE to establish company-level power indices based on their level of economic activity. The law and its subsequent regulations outline the obligatory nature of executing projects that conserve electricity. They also include an incentive programme for businesses that promote the efficient use of energy.

Costa Rica. National communication (NC). NC 4., National Communication from Costa Rica in 2021

Costa Rica First NDC (Updated submission), Nationally Determined Contribution,Adaptation Communication from Costa Rica in 2020

Costa Rica. Biennial update report (BUR). BUR 2. National inventory report., National Inventory Report from Costa Rica in 2020

Costa Rica. Biennial update report (BUR). BUR 2., Biennial Update Report from Costa Rica in 2019

National Decarbonization Plan - Government of Costa Rica 2018-2050, Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy from Costa Rica in 2019

7th National Energy Plan 2015-2030

Law passed

The 7th National Energy Plan 2015-2030, published by Costa Rica's Ministry of Environment and Energy, aims to reach the objective of "energy sustainability with low emission levels" and supports the continuation of renewable energy development, energy efficiency and low-carbon emission transport. Energy currently constitutes 80% of Costa Rica's GHG emissions. 
It complements the National Development Plan 2015 -2018, which also calls for enhancing the use of renewable sources and improving efficiency in the use of energy, especially in the public sector (sectoral objectives 2 and 3). 
The Plan defines energy efficiency and distributed electricity generation as priorities for action and calls for the renovation of the vehicle fleet to include low carbon technologies, the promotion of sustainable public transport and the mainstreaming of clean fuels, in particular biofuels. Altogether, the Plan is organized along seven axes - four in the electricity production sector and three in the transport sector: 
 
<ul> 
<li>Improving energy efficiency</li> 
<li>Optimal distributed electricity generation</li> 
<li>Sustainability of the electricity grid</li> 
<li>Sustainable electricity generation development</li> 
<li>More environmentally friendly vehicle fleet</li> 
<li>Sustainable public transport</li> 
<li>Cleaner fuels</li> 
</ul> 
For each strategical axis, the Plan defines a set of concrete objectives (institutional and administrative reforms, new efficiency standards and certification, tariff adjustments, creation of funds, etc.), with varying deadlines for short/medium/long term. 
Concrete objectives include: 
 
<ul> 
<li>Expand renewable energy projects to reach 731.9 MW by 2018, additional 470 MW over 2019-2023, and additional 910 MW over 2024-2030 (subject to revision)</li> 
<li>Expand the transmission lines by additional 313.5 km by 2018</li> 
<li>Expand the distribution grid by additional 1921 km by 2018</li> 
<li>By 2030, all houses not connected to the grid should have individual photovoltaic systems</li> 
</ul>

7th National Energy Plan 2015-2030

Main documents

Timeline

Note

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