Resource information
This country note briefly summarizes
information relevant to both climate change and agriculture
in Costa Rica, with focus on policy developments (including
action plans and programs) and institutional make-up. Like
most countries in Latin America, Costa Rica has submitted
one national communication to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with a second one
under preparation. Land use change and forestry are the
largest contributors to GHG emissions in the country. The
emission reduction potential of the sector is large and
several reforestation programs have been initiated. It is
estimated that Central America produces less than 0.5
percent of global carbon emissions, but it is one the most
vulnerable regions to climate change related impacts on the
planet. Agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate
variability, this coupled with problems of land degradation
in the country. A greater emphasis on reducing soil
degradation and developing and applying adequate insurance
mechanisms can be placed for better management of public
resources in light of natural disasters in the agriculture sector.
