Franz Tattenbach, Minister of Environment and Energy of the Republic of Costa Rica, said that the percentage of electricity production in his country from renewable energy reached 100 percent, explaining that Costa Rica is following initiatives for the second energy transition that stipulates converting electricity production from renewable energy in all sectors in which it can be employed.
In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of COP28 in Dubai, Minister Tattenbach added that Costa Rica is working to produce biofuel from agriculture, as well as seeking to mobilise funding related to this sector, in addition to the transition to a green and sustainable transport sector.
He pointed to Costa Rica’s efforts to reduce emissions and support local, regional, and global climate action, as his country continues to reduce emissions in industry, electricity, and the use of agricultural land in a sound and environmentally friendly way. He said, “There is still a small percentage of carbon e
missions in the industrial and transport sectors, so Costa Rica is focusing on how to remove carbon from these sectors to support the sustainability of economic development.”
In the context of environmental protection, he explained that Costa Rica is working on the Sustainable Landscapes Initiative in cooperation with climate change and forest leaders. He pointed out that Costa Rica was the first tropical country to stop deforestation without sacrificing productivity in the agricultural sector, as agricultural development is a fundamental pillar in the country without harming forests.
He affirmed that the deforestation rate has reached zero percent, adding that Costa Rica is currently implementing environmental protection initiatives such as mangrove reforestation and ocean protection.
The Minister said that at COP28, Costa Rica signed a voluntary cardboard market agreement within the ‘LiveLead’ initiative, which will contribute to attracting investments worth US$10 to US$15 million annually to environment
al and climate action.
He added, “We are pleased to participate in the conference to accelerate and expand the scope of the work we are doing within the climate change and environmental agenda in Costa Rica.”
Minister Tattenbach praised the significant progress that the UAE has made during COP28, such as operationalising the Loss and Damage Fund, which will contribute to supporting global climate action and keeping the 1.5 °C objective agreed upon under the Paris Agreement within reach.
He said, “I believe that we will achieve these goals thanks to the business approach that the UAE has set, as well as the Global Stocktake to the Paris Agreement, and we value the COP28 Presidency’s efforts aimed at implementing those commitments.”
Source: Emirates News Agency