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 also has a large supply of wind and geothermal energy. The country has been a leader in renewable energy production over the past few years without relying on large manufacturing facilities. The government is actively working towards carbon elimination.
The National Development Plan of Costa Rica promotes technological innovation and encourages knowledge, research, and competition. It encourages global climate change mitigation. 66% of hydrocarbons in the transportation sector are used. It is anticipated that the transportation sector will be entirely decarbonized by 2050. By producing renewable biofuels or green hydrogen, this will be possible.
The country is committed to a green future but it is not always at forefront of environmental protection. Costa Rica implemented a Payments for Environmental Services in 1990 to aid farmers who were struggling financially. The Institute of Energy (ICE), a country-wide institute of energy, implemented a net metering program in order to encourage renewable energy. This program was designed to increase energy independence. ICE also has a generator park and continues to gradually lower its fees.
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 enabled the identification of policy options to reduce inequalities, and to support rural economic development. There were also identified several political priorities. In addition, the workshop discussed modeled 100% RE scenarios.
This project was a collaboration of the World Future Council with La Ruta del Clima, a Costa Rican civil society organisation. This initiative was created to assist Costa Rica in its pursuit of decarbonization goals. This project was inclusive of the needs and interests of government, industry, and civil society. It led to a comprehensive policy guide.
Costa Rica has a lot of rain and geothermal energy. The country's electric grid gets 17% from wind energy, and 13.5% of its electricity from geothermal resources. The energy matrix, which is responsible for 80% country's greenhouse emissions, poses the biggest challenge to decarbonization. Costa Rica's systems are robust enough to adapt and be used in future.
Costa Rica has committed itself to a 100% Renewable Energy Project in its decarbonization campaign. The Institute for Sustainable Futures of the Technological University of Sydney is leading the technical research for this project. The Institute has helped Costa Rica to develop a roadmap to achieve decarbonization. This roadmap provides a framework for Costa Rica's decarbonization efforts and offers a vision of a sustainable future. This roadmap will assist Costa Rica in generating the well-being and economic growth necessary to sustain its population.
Costa Rica has made many policy improvements in recent years. The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica ratified Law 7200 (or "Ley Authorizing Electricity Autonomous or Paralela") in 1990. It regulates utility projects at private scale in Costa Rica.