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Efforts to achieve any of the options for carbon
neutrality are significant, in terms of reduction
of fossil fuel energy, as well as associated low
carbon technologies. These efforts will depend
on an economic policy that internalizes costs
and other suggested measures included in the
IPCC Policy Proposals by sectors to provide incentives
for changes in the productive sectors.
In order to achieve national goals, a sustained
and coherent support to address priorities and
resources is required, taking into consideration
that the costs will be higher if actions are not
taken right away. A low carbon economy would
generate financial resources that will benefit
ecosystems and reduction of vulnerability to climate
change. For example, energy production
from hydrological sources will provide clean
energy, at the same time, will protect water
resources to the effects of climate change and
generation of energy.
The National Carbon Neutral Policy stated by
Costa Rica is a defiant challenge. It offers valuable
opportunities for the country’s economic,
environmental and social development. Delay
actions will impose higher costs in the future according
to estimates and International reports.
Taking actions now will facilitate a head start
and build national capacities to become a low
and neutral carbon emission economy. This is
an effort of our society to be responsible with
future generations and as a valuable effort to
preserve the functions of ecosystem that provide
support to our life.
Assessment of vulnerability, effects
of climate change, and adaptation
measures
Costa Rica is a country vulnerable to extreme hydrometeorological
events, which have brought
disaster to many of its socioeconomic sectors.
The following section characterizes climate,
variability, and climate change, and is an important
guide towards the understanding of current
and future climate, crucial in the design of a National
Adaptation to Climate Change Strategy.
Costa Rica’s Climate Regions
The Northwest-Southeast orientation of its mountain
range system divides Costa Rica into two regions:
Pacific and Caribbean. Each one of these
regions has its own precipitation regime, with
particular spatial and temporal characteristics.
The two precipitation regimes, mountain distribution,
along with Costa Rica’s prevailing
winds and oceanic influence, differentiate three
main climate regions, which are divided into six
smaller scale zones: the Humid Tropical Region
of the Caribbean (to which belong the Northern
Zone and Caribbean Region), the Inter-mountainous
Central Region (to which belongs the
Central Region), and the Tropical Pacific Region
(which is made up by the North Pacific, Central
Pacific and South Pacific Regions).
Signs of climate change in Costa Rica
Table i.3 provides examples of recent events
which suggest changes Costa Rica’s climate.
Future climate projections in
Costa Rica
Future climate projections obtained through the
PRECIS model quantitative results are presented
in the following images.
II Comunicación Nacional 2009