In 2016, almost 99% of Costa Rica's electricity output came from renewable sources. This demonstrates the country's commitment towards a green, sustainable future. Costa Rica has large amounts of wind energy and geothermal electricity. In recent years, the country has moved to the forefront of renewable energy production, without having to rely on a large manufacturing infrastructure. The government is actively working towards carbon elimination.
Costa Rica's National Development Plan promotes technological change and encourages research, knowledge, and competitiveness. It encourages action against global climate change. In the transportation sector, 66% of hydrocarbons are consumed. The transport sector is expected to be completely decarbonized by 2050. This will be possible by using renewable biofuels as well as green hydrogen.
The country's commitment towards a green future is not always evident. Costa Rica's Payments for Environmental Services (PES), a program that paid farmers extra income for unprofitable periods, was introduced in the 1990s. A net metering program was also implemented by the Institute of Energy of Costa Rica (ICE). This program promotes renewable energy. This program was designed to increase energy independence. ICE also owns a generation parc and has a steady process of gradually lowering the fee.
The second workshop was held between 3-4 octobre. It included a modeling exercise, as well training in capacity building for Costa Rican civil rights organizations. This allowed the identification and implementation of policies to improve rural economic development and reduce inequalities. Several political priority areas were identified as well. A workshop was also held to discuss 100% RE scenarios.
The project was a collaboration between the World Future Council and Costa Rican civil society organization La Ruta del Clima. This initiative was designed to help Costa Rica achieve its decarbonization targets. The project included the needs from industry, government agencies, and civil societies. It created a comprehensive policy map.
Costa Rica is blessed with abundant sources of geothermal power and high rainfall. The country's electricity grid gets 17% of its power from wind energy and 13.5% from geothermal sources. The main challenge in decarbonization is the energy matrix which generates 80% the country's greenhouse gases emissions. Costa Rica's system can adapt to changing circumstances, however.
As part of its decarbonization effort, Costa Rica has committed to a 100% Renewable Energy Project. The Institute for Sustainable Futures of the Technological University of Sydney is leading the technical research for this project. The Institute provided assistance for Costa Rica to create a roadmap towards decarbonization. The roadmap is a blueprint that will guide Costa Rica in its progress towards decarbonization. It also outlines a vision for a socially and environmentally sustainable future. The roadmap will also aid Costa Rica in its efforts to increase the well-being for its people through economic and social development.
Costa Rica also has implemented many policy reforms in recent years. In 1990, the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica approved Law 7200 or "Ley Authorizing Electricity Autonomous or Paralela." It regulates Costa Rican private-scale utilities projects.