Costa Rica: Modern Challenges for Developing Countries

The drastic effects of global warning and climate change has necessitated a new approach to meeting our energy needs for the present and future generations. It has become more paramount to reduce the continents’ carbon footprint and other emissions that arise from the use of fossil fuels. This challenge has seemingly become more difficult for developing nations who have huge infrastructural deficits, rising energy demand, weak fiscal policies and poor regulatory and governance. However, Costa Rica, currently meets over 95% of its energy demand using renewable sources. The example of this country provide some learning opportunities for developing and developed countries in energy sustainability.

Geography, Location and Brief History

Costa Rica is a small country located in central America and has a population of about five million people. It is closely located between Nicaragua and . The country is blessed with a lovely vegetation, green forest and abundance of lakes, vallies and mountains. that is most available is . Since there is no oil and gas in the country the Costa Rica energy mix comprises of hydro, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and thermal (diesels) sources. Since 2015, the country has operated on 100% renewables for more than 250 days in a year. This remarkable feat has earned the country global recognition for its example in the use of full renewables for electricity generation. The electricity market is a monopolistic market managed by the Costa Rica ICE. This body is surprised by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. Though, there is the presence of private sector operators, the market is largely managed and regulated by the state utility. Electricity bills are relatively high and the utility has been in losses as it finances the growth of renewable energy. In the long haul and the implementation of a more market driven model, the cost of electricity will reduce. The diesel generators serve as back-up power plants in period of droughts as experienced in 2017 and is partly responsible for the relatively high electricity prices.

Dominance of Renewables

The dominance of renewable in the energy mix of Costa Rica can be partially attributed to the abundance presence of a mix of renewable sources. This has been properly harnessed through sound policies and bold leadership. The country aims to continue in its strides and has itemized a number of plans and initiatives to help it achieved their goals.

Transportation

While the electricity sector is almost fully renewable, the transportation sector is largely dependent on fossil fuel. This scenario is more cumbersome as an increase in the number of private cars due to the poor state of public buses has raised the demand of private vehicles and pollution levels. However, the government is making plans to electrify the transport sector and has introduced incentive to increase the growth of electric vehicles and its charging infrastructure.

Agriculture

The agriculture sector is a major contributor to the GDP and foreign direct investment in the country. Due to the government prioritising the protection of the forest, this has limited the arbitrary use of land and indiscriminate burning that characterize some developing countries. For example, the XXX Company set up a plan to achieve a zero carbon value chain operation. The success of this company may have a ripple effect in the way other companies in the sector operates. This shared learning will help the country achieve its carbon neutrality targets.

Paris Agreement and National Development Plan

Costa Rica is highly committed to combacting climate change and global warming. It has ratified the Paris Agreement and is making concrete step to achieve its target before 2050. Based on the tracker designed by XXX, the country is on track to reach the 2030 targets. Although, the system sgowed that its current policies framework shows that it will be very close to achieving the 20C goal. However, this author believes that with the focus on eliminating its carbon footprint, the country will make more strides than anticipated and achieve the targets.

There are other developing countries making a mark to achieve the terms of the Paris Agreement. Based on Y’s data. Morrocco and Gambia have been identified to be on track to meet the Paris goals. These countries have similar approaches to reducing its carbon footprint there is a slight difference.

Achieving the agenda of the Paris Agreement requires bold leadership and a national agenda that thrives irrespective of political, cultural and social differences. Costa Rica has made significant progress due to the leaders’ commitment to clean energy and environmental conservation, beginning with a strong focus on hydropower and expanded to other renewable sources. Countries can learn to build a political structure that empowers leaders to deliver the nation’s agenda sustainably.

Conclusion 

In consluison, the progress made by Costa Rica in clean energy production and utilization offers some great lessons for other countries, especially developing countries. Although, it can be argued that the peculiarities of the country offer some advantages that may not be unique across board, nonetheless, some valuable lessons can be applied to meet the different countries particular contexts. The government of Costa Rica has set ambitious goals on clean energy with a defined timeframe, giving room for reviews, adjustments and amendments where necessary. Although, it is not guaranteed that the nation’s targets in all areas will be accomplished, the level of support (financial and otherwise) that will be received is directly linked to the scale of the goals set. Other developing countries can become more aggressive in their carbon reduction plans.