National Decarbonization Plan 2018-2050.
Country
Type of law
Policy
Abstract
The present document contains Costa Rica's National Decarbonization Plan for the years 2018-2050, which summarizes the strategic actions that the Bicentennial Government has identified to implement the decarbonization of the Costa Rican economy. Costa Rica aims for a decarbonized economy with net-zero emissions in 2050, in a manner consistent with the long-term goal of limiting the increase of average global temperature to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels. The actions are divided into three major stages: a) foundations stage (2018-2022), b) inflection stage (2023- 2030) and c) transformation normalization stage or massive deployment (2031-2050).
The plan proposal is structured along 10 decarbonization axes that are derived from the pattern of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. The axes correspond with the major emission sources: energy, industrial processes, residues, agriculture, forestry and other land uses. For each axis, the Plan contemplates policy packages that combine concrete planning, institutional or regulatory measures, project implementation, access to financing, ensuring citizen support, and avoiding lock-in.
The decarbonization axis are: 1. Development of a mobility system based on safe, efficient and renewable public transport and active mobility schemes; 2. Transformation of the light-duty vehicles fleet to zero-emissions, boosted by renewable energy, not by fossil origin; 3. Promotion of a freight transport that adopts modalities, technologies and energy sources until achieving zero or the lowest emissions possible; 4. Consolidation of the national electricity system with capacity, flexibility, intelligence and resilience, necessary to supply and manage renewable energy at a competitive cost; 5. Development of buildings of different uses (commercial, residential, institutional) under high efficiency standards and low-emission processes; 6. Transformation of the industrial sector through processes and technologies that use energy from renewable sources or others, sustainable and efficient, with low- and zero-emissions; 7. Development of an integrated system of maximum efficiency and low greenhouse gas emissions waste management based on the separation, reuse, revaluation and final disposal; 8. Promotion of highly efficient agri-food systems that generate low-carbon export and local consumption goods; 9. Consolidation of a livestock model based on productive efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gases; 10. The management of the rural, urban and coastal territory will be oriented towards conservation and sustainable use, growing forestry resources and ecosystem services based on nature-based solutions.
In relation to agri-food systems, Axis 8 includes two transformation visions: i) By 2030, the value chains for coffee, livestock, sugarcane, rice, and bananas use emission reduction technologies both at the farm and processing stage levels; and ii) By 2050, the most advanced methods and technologies are applied to achieve a sustainable, competitive, low-carbon, resilient agriculture with the lowest levels of contamination. Short, medium and long term activities are described in detail. As regards animal production, Axis 9 includes three transformation visions: i) By 2025, a circular economy is promoted in livestock farms through the implementation of a biodigester program; ii) By 2030, 70% of the cattle herd and 60% of the areas dedicated to livestock implement low-carbon technologies; and iii) By 2050, livestock activity uses the most advanced technology according to the standards of sustainability, competitiveness, lowemissions and resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Additionally, cross-cutting tasks are described in the following areas: A. Comprehensive reform for the new Institutionality of the Bicentennial; B. Green Tax Reform; C. Funding Strategy and Investment Attraction for transformation; D. Digitalization and Knowledge-based Economy Strategy; E. Labor strategies of "just transition"; F. Inclusion, human rights and promotion of gender equality; G. Transparency, metrics and open data strategy; and H. Education and Culture Strategy: a Bicentennial Costa Rica free of fossil fuels.
The plan proposal is structured along 10 decarbonization axes that are derived from the pattern of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. The axes correspond with the major emission sources: energy, industrial processes, residues, agriculture, forestry and other land uses. For each axis, the Plan contemplates policy packages that combine concrete planning, institutional or regulatory measures, project implementation, access to financing, ensuring citizen support, and avoiding lock-in.
The decarbonization axis are: 1. Development of a mobility system based on safe, efficient and renewable public transport and active mobility schemes; 2. Transformation of the light-duty vehicles fleet to zero-emissions, boosted by renewable energy, not by fossil origin; 3. Promotion of a freight transport that adopts modalities, technologies and energy sources until achieving zero or the lowest emissions possible; 4. Consolidation of the national electricity system with capacity, flexibility, intelligence and resilience, necessary to supply and manage renewable energy at a competitive cost; 5. Development of buildings of different uses (commercial, residential, institutional) under high efficiency standards and low-emission processes; 6. Transformation of the industrial sector through processes and technologies that use energy from renewable sources or others, sustainable and efficient, with low- and zero-emissions; 7. Development of an integrated system of maximum efficiency and low greenhouse gas emissions waste management based on the separation, reuse, revaluation and final disposal; 8. Promotion of highly efficient agri-food systems that generate low-carbon export and local consumption goods; 9. Consolidation of a livestock model based on productive efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gases; 10. The management of the rural, urban and coastal territory will be oriented towards conservation and sustainable use, growing forestry resources and ecosystem services based on nature-based solutions.
In relation to agri-food systems, Axis 8 includes two transformation visions: i) By 2030, the value chains for coffee, livestock, sugarcane, rice, and bananas use emission reduction technologies both at the farm and processing stage levels; and ii) By 2050, the most advanced methods and technologies are applied to achieve a sustainable, competitive, low-carbon, resilient agriculture with the lowest levels of contamination. Short, medium and long term activities are described in detail. As regards animal production, Axis 9 includes three transformation visions: i) By 2025, a circular economy is promoted in livestock farms through the implementation of a biodigester program; ii) By 2030, 70% of the cattle herd and 60% of the areas dedicated to livestock implement low-carbon technologies; and iii) By 2050, livestock activity uses the most advanced technology according to the standards of sustainability, competitiveness, lowemissions and resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Additionally, cross-cutting tasks are described in the following areas: A. Comprehensive reform for the new Institutionality of the Bicentennial; B. Green Tax Reform; C. Funding Strategy and Investment Attraction for transformation; D. Digitalization and Knowledge-based Economy Strategy; E. Labor strategies of "just transition"; F. Inclusion, human rights and promotion of gender equality; G. Transparency, metrics and open data strategy; and H. Education and Culture Strategy: a Bicentennial Costa Rica free of fossil fuels.
Attached files
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Date of text
Entry into force notes
2018-2050.
Repealed
No
Source language
Spanish
Legislation Amendment
No