Costa Rica aims to become 1st CO2-neutral country

San Jose, Aug 28, 2007 -- EFE

Costa Rica hopes by 2021 to become the first country in the world with zero net emissions of carbon dioxide, as this small Central American nation confronts the threat posed by global warming to its vital tourism and agriculture sectors.

To achieve its goal, the country is counting on a joint effort by government and the private sector in a wide range of measures that go from cutting emissions and increasing carbon isolation to developing an international seal that certifies companies and institutions as "clean" from a global-warming point of view.

Environment and Energy Minister Roberto Dobles told Efe that the country already enjoys an outstanding international reputation for nature conservation, but with the threat of global warming new and immediate steps must be taken.

Global warming, the minister said, affects the whole planet equally, no matter where it is generated, and every country on earth has to take responsibility and collaborate or, as scientists predict, we will be "at the gates of an unprecedented natural disaster."

Although Costa Rica covers a mere 51,100 square kilometers (19,700 square miles) of land, and is by no means on the list of the world's biggest producers of CO2, a number of studies have sounded the alarm that global warming will produce immense flooding that will affect agriculture, livestock and tourism in the coming years.

As the sea level rises, many coastal areas are expected to be completely submerged and tens of thousands of animal and plant species will disappear.

The planet's rising temperature will increasingly spread infectious and respiratory diseases throughout the country, and will hasten the propagation of illnesses like dengue, which, for example, this year broke all national records with more than 12,000 reported cases.

"We are in a situation of real deterioration that will continue until the world makes up its mind to deal with global warming, but in the meantime we can't just stand around with our arms folded," Dobles said.

Costa Rica's strategy to reduce to zero the impact of its greenhouse-gas emissions begins with an inventory of the country by regions to measure how much CO2 is being sent into the atmosphere and where, the minister said.

Studies show that each Costa Rican emits 2.2 metric tons of CO2 per year, well below the 24 from each American, the 9.5 from each European, and the four from each Chinese.

With this information, Dobles said, companies and citizens in each region will develop a plan of action with multiple strategies, from switching to a greater use of biofuels in production to planting trees to isolate carbon.

This year the government is committed to planting 5 million trees for that purpose.

The nation has already registered the international trademark "C-Neutral" that will certify institutions, communities and companies as having reduced their net greenhouse-gas emissions to zero.

"In the near future, with consumers more and more aware, the market will begin to choose between dirty companies and clean companies from the global-warming point of view, and it is there that, as a nation, we have a window of opportunity to be pioneers," Dobles said.

For example, Costa Rica's northern region, which will be the first C-Neutral region, will be promoted as a tourist destination that besides offering scenic beauty, does not harm the atmosphere, which will give it an additional value to the world.

Costa Rica's program to be emissions-neutral is being followed by New Zealand and Norway, and has more support in the country every day.

Companies like Coca Cola Interamerican, Chiquita, Dole, Cemex and Holcim, as well as universities, hotels and car rentals have joined in the program. The authorities hope that everyone around the world gets caught up in this enthusiasm. EFE

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