Costa Rica has made progress in decoupling some environmental pressures from economic growth
Costa Rica aims to be carbon neutral by 2050
Costa Rica is a leader in using renewables
A massive electrification of road vehicles is required to help reduce CO2 emissions
Costa Rica has one of the highest shares of landfilled waste in the OECD
Access to drinking water has marginally improved while access to sanitation services has deteriorated
Energy taxes cover a higher, albeit insufficient, share of GHG emissions than in many LAC countries
Costa Rica is among the few Latin American countries to have increased forest cover
The economy has grown steadily over the last decades, but GDP per capita lags behind
Poverty increased during the pandemic, and inequality is trending upwards
Costa Rica’s forests are exposed to wildfire danger
Energy accounts for a lower share of GHG emissions than on average in the OECD
GHG emissions grew in the last two decades but less quickly than Costa Rica’s economy
Costa Rica’s climate policy is the least oriented to markets among OECD countries with a low-carbon electricity mix
Renewables account for a large share of energy supply
Costa Rica has increasingly invested in wind, solar and biomass electricity generation capacity
Energy intensity has declined, but energy use trends in transport and services are of concern
Road vehicles are a major source of emissions of GHGs and air pollutants
Emissions have more than doubled for most air pollutants in Costa Rica
Households generate more than two-thirds of Costa Rica’s municipal waste, which is mostly disposed of in landfills
Most households rely on garbage trucks, even as waste separation gains in popularity
Water losses remain high, especially from the public water supply network
Wastewater treatment lags severely behind other countries in the region and the OECD
Investment has been allocated largely to water supply, with a smaller share for wastewater treatment
Most people in Costa Rica are satisfied with its environmental protection efforts
The number of environmental complaints has increased
Environment-related taxes are an important source of fiscal revenue in Costa Rica
Revenue from environment-related taxes grew in line with fuel use and vehicle fleet
Carbon prices are highest for road transport and zero on non-energy-related emissions
Government support to fossil fuels grew in the last decade
Government spending for environmental protection focuses on waste and biodiversity
Forests cover a large share of Costa Rica land area
The Ocean Health Index indicates pressures on Costa Rica marine resources
Nearly a third of known amphibian species are threatened and invasive species exert pressures on terrestrial habitats
Mangroves are the ecosystem that per hectare provides greatest economic benefit, while oceans are the most valuable ecosystem
Costa Rica protects a larger share of its land and marine areas than most LAC countries
More and more visits to protected areas have generated revenue for biodiversity
Less and less area is added to the PPSA every year
After a decline, expenditure for protecting biodiversity and landscape increased in 2017-19
Intensity of pesticide use is one of the highest among OECD and LAC countries
Potentially harmful support to fishing declined in the last decade but remains high