Small in size but bold in vision, Costa Rica has become a global pioneer in sustainability, proving that protecting nature and building a modern economy can go hand in hand.
Home to around 5 million people, the country produces just 0.02% of global carbon emissions. Yet Costa Rica has chosen to lead by example, challenging countries with far larger carbon footprints to take urgent action against climate change.
Costa Rica generates roughly 98–99% of its electricity from renewable sources, running entirely on clean energy for more than 300 days a year. Hydropower is at the heart of its energy grid, with rivers and rainfall generating power, while wind farms harness strong currents in Guanacaste. Volcanic activity provides geothermal energy, and solar power is also part of the mix.
But the green vision goes further. Forests cover more than half the country, while around a quarter of its territory is protected. Its National Decarbonization Plan also sets an ambitious path towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
Costa Rica may produce little of the world’s emissions, but it is creating something far more powerful: a blueprint for a greener future that countries can follow.
