Costa Rica’s Pioneering Net-zero Implementation Plan Attracts Investment, Withstands Political Changes

This case study by the World Resources Institute examines Costa Rica's 2019 National Decarbonization Plan, highlighting how its detailed implementation framework and ability to attract significant international funding ensured policy continuity despite a change in presidential administration in 2022.

• Costa Rica's 2019 National Decarbonization Plan established a midcentury net-zero emissions target covering all sectors and greenhouse gases, with the exception of international aviation and shipping. The plan utilized a backcasting approach to divide the transition into three distinct phases: foundations (2018–22), inflection (2023–30), and massive deployment (2031–50).
• The National Decarbonization Plan remained viable after President Rodrigo Chaves took office in May 2022, despite a campaign focused on changing course from the previous administration. This continuity was driven by the plan's success in securing nearly $1 billion in central funding from the Inter-American Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
• Current government priorities continue to focus on agriculture and electric vehicles, specifically the operationalization of 1,000 electric buses. The strategic focus has shifted from defining technical pathways toward attracting large-scale finance for specific sectors.

APA

World Resources Institute (2024). Costa Rica’s Pioneering Net-zero Implementation Plan Attracts Investment, Withstands Political Changes. https://www.wri.org/update/costa-rica-net-zero-plan-attracts-investment-withstands-political-changes

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Costa Rica’s Pioneering Net-zero Implementation Plan Attracts Investment, Withstands Political Changes. 2024. https://www.wri.org/update/costa-rica-net-zero-plan-attracts-investment-withstands-political-changes.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Costa Rica’s Pioneering Net-zero Implementation Plan Attracts Investment, Withstands Political Changes |date=6 March 2024 |url=https://www.wri.org/update/costa-rica-net-zero-plan-attracts-investment-withstands-political-changes |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2024costa, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Costa Rica’s Pioneering Net-zero Implementation Plan Attracts Investment, Withstands Political Changes}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2024}, month = mar, url = {https://www.wri.org/update/costa-rica-net-zero-plan-attracts-investment-withstands-political-changes}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }