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Res. 031-2013 · 15/07/2013
OutcomeResultado
The Full Court approves the update of the Judicial Branch's Institutional Environmental Management Plan, submitted by the Environmental Affairs Commission, in compliance with Executive Decree 36499-S-MINAET.La Corte Plena aprueba la actualización del Plan de Gestión Ambiental Institucional del Poder Judicial, presentada por la Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales, en cumplimiento del Decreto Ejecutivo 36499-S-MINAET.
SummaryResumen
This document contains the update of the Costa Rican Judicial Branch's Institutional Environmental Management Program (PGAI) for 2013-2017, approved by the Full Court. The PGAI sets forth the institutional environmental policy and a five-year action plan with quantifiable targets to reduce consumption of water, energy, fossil fuels, and paper; properly manage solid waste; implement green procurement; and promote environmental training and awareness among staff. It is based on Executive Decree No. 36499-S-MINAET and the Integrated Waste Management Law No. 8839. It includes an initial environmental diagnosis, a 2012 greenhouse gas emissions inventory, and nine specific environmental programs. The Environmental Affairs Commission, led by Magistrate Óscar González Camacho, is responsible for implementation. Initially covering Judicial Circuits I and II in San José, the PGAI plans progressive expansion to all judicial offices nationwide.El documento contiene la actualización del Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional (PGAI) del Poder Judicial de Costa Rica, aprobado por la Corte Plena mediante acuerdo firme (Documento 7375-2013). El PGAI establece la política ambiental institucional y un plan de acción con metas cuantificables a cinco años para reducir el consumo de agua, energía, combustibles fósiles y papel, gestionar adecuadamente los residuos sólidos, implementar compras verdes, y promover la capacitación y sensibilización ambiental de los funcionarios. Se fundamenta en el Decreto Ejecutivo N.° 36499-S-MINAET y la Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos N.° 8839. Incluye un diagnóstico ambiental inicial, un inventario de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero 2012, y nueve programas ambientales específicos. La Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales, coordinada por el Magistrado Óscar González Camacho, es la responsable de la implementación. El PGAI abarca inicialmente los Circuitos Judiciales I y II de San José y proyecta su expansión progresiva a todas las sedes judiciales del país.
Key excerptExtracto clave
It was agreed: To approve the Environmental Management Plan according to the update submitted by the Environmental Affairs Commission and to make it known to the Environmental Quality Management Division of the Ministry of Environment and Energy. It is understood that the commitment assumed by the Judicial Branch to fulfill the commitments acquired in this document "Institutional Environmental Management Program" and with what is stated in Executive Decree Number 36499-S-MINAET "Regulation for the Elaboration of Institutional Environmental Management Programs in the Public Sector of Costa Rica", is based on the prior analysis carried out by the officials that make up the aforementioned Environmental Affairs Commission. The agreement is declared final.Se acordó: Aprobar el Plan de Gestión Ambiental conforme a la actualización remitida por la Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales y hacerlo de conocimiento de la División de Gestión de Calidad del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía. Es entendido que el compromiso que se adquiere por parte del Poder Judicial para cumplir con los compromisos adquiridos en el presente documento “Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional” y con lo consignado en el Decreto Ejecutivo Número 36499-S-MINAET “Reglamento para la Elaboración de Programas de Gestión Ambiental Institucional en el Sector Público de Costa Rica”, tiene su sustento en el análisis previo realizado por las funcionarias y funcionarios que integran la citada Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales. Se declara acuerdo firme.
Pull quotesCitas destacadas
"El Poder Judicial es la instancia estatal que por mandato constitucional ejerce la Administración de Justicia dentro del territorio nacional... En el ejercicio de tal función, promueve el uso sostenible de los recursos, previniendo y reduciendo los impactos ambientales generados por sus actividades y cumpliendo la legislación vigente."
"The Judicial Branch is the state entity that by constitutional mandate administers justice within the national territory... In the exercise of such function, it promotes the sustainable use of resources, preventing and reducing the environmental impacts generated by its activities and complying with current legislation."
POLÍTICA AMBIENTAL DEL PODER JUDICIAL
"El Poder Judicial es la instancia estatal que por mandato constitucional ejerce la Administración de Justicia dentro del territorio nacional... En el ejercicio de tal función, promueve el uso sostenible de los recursos, previniendo y reduciendo los impactos ambientales generados por sus actividades y cumpliendo la legislación vigente."
POLÍTICA AMBIENTAL DEL PODER JUDICIAL
"El Poder Judicial entiende que el Programa de Gestión Ambiental (PGA) es un instrumento que por obligación legal toda institución debe elaborar y gestionar, su finalidad es la mejora del desempeño ambiental y el control de los impactos ambientales en forma progresiva."
"The Judicial Branch understands that the Environmental Management Program (PGA) is an instrument that by legal obligation every institution must develop and manage; its purpose is to improve environmental performance and progressively control environmental impacts."
Introducción
"El Poder Judicial entiende que el Programa de Gestión Ambiental (PGA) es un instrumento que por obligación legal toda institución debe elaborar y gestionar, su finalidad es la mejora del desempeño ambiental y el control de los impactos ambientales en forma progresiva."
Introducción
"Se determinan como baja prioridad las variables de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero y consumo de combustibles fósiles..."
"The variables of greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption are determined as low priority..."
Plan de Acción
"Se determinan como baja prioridad las variables de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero y consumo de combustibles fósiles..."
Plan de Acción
Full documentDocumento completo
ARTÍCULO XI Documento 7375-2013 The server Laura Rivera Ballestero, Executive Secretary of the Office of Magistrate González, in an email dated June 26, stated:
“With instructions from Magistrate Dr. Óscar González Camacho, in his capacity as coordinator of the Environmental Affairs Commission, I am submitting for the consideration and approval of the Full Court, the update of the Institutional Environmental Management Plan, which is required by the Quality Management Division of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.” - 0 - The Institutional Environmental Management Plan being reported on literally states:
“Introduction The concern about the effects of Climate Change, and the knowledge of the responsibility of human actions in this, has awakened national interest in promoting the conservation of natural resources and diminishing the environmental impact of daily activities. For these reasons, Costa Rica has joined a large number of international agreements, including the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992) and the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1997).
In addition to this, the environmental variable has been included, for example, within the 2011-2014 National Development Plan “María Teresa Obregón Zamora,” a section refers to “Environment and Land-Use Planning,” where the aim is “the safeguarding of environmental heritage with economic growth,” promoting carbon neutrality, working in areas such as renewable energy, rational use of resources, land-use planning, protection of ecosystems and water resources (PND 2011-2014).
It is worth highlighting the large number of legal resources that Costa Rica has, which support the interest in working for a better environmental quality, starting with the Political Constitution of Costa Rica of 1949, where Article 50 establishes that “The State shall procure the greatest well-being for all the inhabitants of the country, organizing and stimulating production and the most adequate distribution of wealth. Every person has the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. Therefore, they are entitled to report acts that infringe upon that right and to demand reparation for the damage caused. The State shall guarantee, defend, and preserve that right. The law shall determine the corresponding responsibilities and sanctions.” From this, another series of laws and regulations of transcendental importance for the Institutional Environmental Management theme are deployed, such as the General Health Law No. 5395, the Organic Law of the Environment No. 7554, the Law for Integrated Waste Management No. 8839, among others.
The growing demand for inputs on the planet refers to greater production, consumption, waste generation, irrational use of resources, land-use changes (cambios de uso del suelo), among other situations that negatively impact natural resources such as water, air, and soil; resulting in negative consequences for ecosystems and for human beings.
It is for this reason that actions must be carried out to produce more and consume less, but how is this possible? By making efficient use of available resources, allowing greater utilization without reducing the quality of services necessary for daily living. One must keep in mind that any activity consumes resources, impacts the environment, and contributes to the increase of greenhouse gas emissions, therefore contributing to climate change. Having said this, it is known that public sector activities therefore impact the environment; this gives way to the implementation and development of actions aimed at improving environmental performance and improving the use and utilization of resources.
In response to the need for comprehensive management of resource demand, the Institutional Environmental Management Program is presented, which aims to optimize the use of resources required by the activities of the Judicial Branch and to reduce the carbon footprint they represent.
The Judicial Branch, as a state institution, must face the challenge of channeling its operation towards the necessary environmental demands, to make corrections and improvements in the environmental performance of the diverse activities it carries out. This initiative reflects the awareness of the high hierarchies of this important Power of the Republic, on the issue of the ecological footprint produced by the set of circuits and offices that comprise it.
The impacts on the environment cannot be completely eliminated, but they can be mitigated and controlled in such a way that the least possible damage is produced. The goal is to minimize polluting factors and maximize the use of water, energy, and material resources, among others. Such actions will be reflected in the decrease of pollutant emissions and greater efficiency in the use of economic resources.
The Judicial Branch understands that the Environmental Management Program (Programa de Gestión Ambiental, PGA) is an instrument that, by legal obligation, every institution must develop and manage; its purpose is the improvement of environmental performance and the control of environmental impacts progressively. It should not be viewed merely as a document to fulfill a requirement, but as a process that gradually and sustainably improves the environmental quality of the institution, and becomes valuable input for the management and awareness of all judicial officials of their responsibility as individuals in the effects on the environment from each workplace, as it involves the whole.
The legal framework that provides the basis for this environmental management instrument is formed by decree No. 36499-S-MINAET Regulation for the Development of Institutional Environmental Management Programs in the Public Sector of Costa Rica, and follows the guidelines established in the Guide for the Development of Environmental Management Programs in the Public Sector of Costa Rica. In addition to this, Article 28 of the Law for Integrated Waste Management No. 8839 refers to the obligation to implement environmental performance programs in the provision of public services and the development of consumption habits and adequate waste management.
The purpose of the PGAI is to define the impacts of the Judicial Branch and the activities required to mitigate them, through environmental quality management, climate change, and conservation and rational use of energy; in conjunction with this, it is intended to be a tool to make possible the implementation of different environmental programs and plans that allow the environmental variable to be introduced in every aspect of procurement, planning, and administrative operation.
Transversal axes such as Awareness, training and communication, Acquisition of goods and technology transfer, will be included; finally, efforts will be made to maintain a metric system with safe, easy-to-use, and verifiable indicators, which collaborate in the measurement process to understand the situation and the environmental performance of the Judicial Branch.
For the preparation of this document, the Environmental Affairs Commission appointed Licda. María Rosa Castro, judge of the Agrarian Court of the II Judicial Circuit, and Lic. Mauricio Chacón, judicial expert 2 of the Department of Forensic Sciences of the Judicial Investigation Agency, and Bach. Tanara Jiménez for its updating.
The validity of each PGAI is 5 years, so an update must be carried out for the year 2017, unless one is necessary in a shorter time due to operational changes or another reason considered by the Commission in charge.
Organizational Background.
The institutional historical development of the Supreme Court of Justice begins from the very Independence of Costa Rica, on September 15, 1821, when the people of that time decided to organize themselves politically and form their own government. From the first constitutional text issued on December 1, 1821, called the Interim Fundamental Social Pact of Costa Rica and known as the Pact of Concord, the foundations of the current State are fixed. This is how the Supreme Governmental Junta was established, charged with exercising government functions, and a Tribunal was created with the function of administering justice, following the laws for the Indo-Spanish peoples, known as the Laws of the Indies, which had been issued by the rulers of Spain to regulate the interests of the Spanish empire in American territories; emerging the “first foundation of the Supreme Court”[1].
From that moment on, social, political, and economic phenomena have emerged that have shaped, over two centuries, the structure of the current State, the balance in the functioning of the powers (executive, legislative, and judicial), and the organization of its institutions and dependencies.
Guided by the principle of judicial independence visualized in its self-governance powers and the provision of its own budget, the Supreme Court of Justice has had to grow throughout the national territory, in accordance with the real needs of fulfilling its function of administering justice, and bringing the fundamental service constitutionally entrusted to all populations and social sectors.
The Judicial Branch is fundamental for the existence and strengthening of Costa Rican democracy and the achievement of social peace, therefore its functions are indispensable. Article 121 subsection 20 of the Political Constitution established the power to create new Tribunals within the Judicial Branch in different parts of the country, according to the criteria of the Court and approval by the Legislative Assembly. For this reason, throughout its history, new offices and jurisdictions have been integrated, which have resulted in the presence of many buildings of various dimensions throughout the national territory.
Function and Organization of the Judicial Branch[2] The Judicial Branch of Costa Rica, the Supreme Power of the Republic, has the obligation to enforce the laws and administer justice; a fundamental objective designated by the Political Constitution; likewise, it is governed by the legal guidelines established in the Organic Law of the Judicial Branch, Law number 7333 of May 5, 1993, which establishes in Article 1:
“...It corresponds to the Judicial Branch, in addition to the functions that the Constitution assigns to it, to hear civil, criminal, juvenile criminal, commercial, labor, contentious-administrative and civil treasury, constitutional, family, and agrarian proceedings, as well as others that the Law establishes; to definitively resolve them and to execute the resolutions it pronounces, with the help of the Public Force if necessary.” For the fulfillment of these functions, Article 2 of that same normative body reinforces the functional independence of the Judicial Branch by stating:
“The Judicial Branch is only subject to the Political Constitution and the Law. The resolutions it issues, in matters of its competence, impose no other responsibilities than those expressly indicated by legislative precepts. However, the superior authority of the Court shall prevail over its performance to guarantee that the administration of justice is prompt and fulfilled.” Supported by the principle of independence reaffirmed in Article 9 of the Political Constitution, which grants this Power of the Republic total and absolute independence, and constitutes a guarantee that justice is dispensed in Costa Rica in strict adherence to the spirit of the Law; the administration of justice, to avoid arbitrariness and achieve prompt and expeditious justice, is organized by important principles, such as due process, from which the right to a hearing, defense, equality and procedural loyalty, to be judged by impartial and independent tribunals, by competent courts through pre-established procedures is derived.
To achieve its objectives, the Judicial Branch formed a structure divided and organized into three different spheres, which depend on the Supreme Court of Justice; namely: jurisdictional sphere, auxiliary justice sphere, and administrative sphere, as illustrated in the following figure:
Figure 1. Organization chart of the Judicial Branch On the other hand, the Strategic Plan 2007-2011 of the Judicial Branch defines the institution’s mission and vision as follows:
Mission: “Administer justice in a prompt, fulfilled manner, without denial and in strict conformity with the legal system, guaranteeing quality in the provision of services for the users who require it.” Vision: “To be a Judicial Branch that guarantees the user access to justice and resolves their conflicts with modern organization and management systems; composed of personnel guided by shared institutional values, aware of their role in the development of the nation and supported by strategic partners.” PGAI Support Units Environmental Affairs Commission.
Began functions on September 8, 2009, coordinated by Magistrate Óscar González Camacho (who presides); and Magistrates Julia Varela and Carmenmaría Escoto; as well as different sectors of judges from Contentious-Administrative, Agrarian, and Civil matters. Officials from the Public Ministry, General Services, the Procurement Department, the Information Technology Department, the Service Comptrollership, the Department of Forensic Sciences of the Judicial Investigation Agency, the Press and Communication Department, Judicial School, Department of Graphic Arts, Superior Council, among others, were also integrated.
Through the actions promoted by the Commission, important contributions are sought, not only at the institutional level but also in comprehensive planning of general and environmental policies, with the purpose of positioning a clear awareness within the Institution of what can be done internally and externally for the improvement of environmental management.
Through this Commission, it is sought to establish a general policy with immediate parallel actions, which requires the definition of a diagnosis that will establish the state in which this Power of the Republic finds itself on the subject, to know the institution's ecological footprint, the management of aspects such as vehicles and fuel use, waste management, energy consumption, recycling, use of technology, building construction, and reforestation issues, promoting environmental awareness among officials, among others.
This commission meets the last week of each month in order to learn about the progress and projects to carry out for the Institutional Environmental Management Program.
With the objective of exchanging experiences and leveraging the capabilities of some institutions, the Commission has established contacts with various governmental and non-governmental entities such as state universities, the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications, the Ministry of the Presidency, and private organizations, in order to coordinate concrete actions that allow an assembly of their activities.
The Environmental Affairs Commission prepared an Institutional Environmental Management Plan for the period 2011-2013, which covered topics such as responsible water consumption, reduction in energy consumption, adequate waste management; as well as other topics such as the construction of more environmentally friendly buildings (bioclimatic architecture), mitigation of the institutional carbon footprint, among others; and work is currently underway on the updating and implementation of this Plan.
Recycling Commission.
For some years, the Recycling Commission was operating, made up of officials of the institution concerned with the management of institutional waste. Said Commission began with the recycling theme and brought together the various groups within the institution concerned with the impacts that the Court produces externally.
Forensic Environmental Unit of the Department of Forensic Sciences, Judicial Investigation Agency.
The Forensic Environmental Unit was created by initiative of the Head of the Department of Forensic Sciences of the Judicial Investigation Agency, in mid-2005. That year, the creation of a Chemist position was authorized to address the issue of environmental crimes. That person dedicated themselves to carrying out a feasibility study to evaluate the need to develop a laboratory of that nature, while considering the type of cases that needed to be addressed.
The forensic environmental project began by offering consultancies and advice to judicial authorities (mainly to the Public Ministry), who require collaboration regarding the way in which the evidence collected must be gathered to be sent for analysis.
Starting in 2007, environmental expert reports (peritajes ambientales) began, mainly related to pesticide contamination. In 2008, the expert reports expanded to include wastewater analysis and qualitative analysis of pesticides in bodies of water; also maintaining collaboration with sampling and consultancies. Furthermore, during this period, the study of methodologies for implementation in subsequent years began, as well as the adaptation of physical space and the acquisition of some laboratory equipment.
In 2009, a biologist and a forensic laboratory technician were incorporated, the laboratory currently being made up of three people (1 chemist, 1 biologist, and 1 laboratory technician), and methodological development and instrumentation acquisition continue.
It should be highlighted that, at the Latin American level, no other equivalent structure is known in terms of forensic laboratories dedicated exclusively to addressing environmental crime.
Judicial School: training in environmental matters.
The Judicial School of the Supreme Court of Justice, within its multiple functions, has developed training courses in the area of environmental law for officials from various areas in the environmental area, which have contributed to expanding knowledge in this legal branch and the consequent awareness of the judicial population.
The courses taught are:
· Environmental Law Course (introductory) 2007 · Environmental Law Course (introductory) 2008 · “Environmental Law” Course in coordination with the USAID-CCAD Cooperation Agreement 2009 · “Training of trainers in Environmental Law: Assessment, Valuation, and Compensation for Environmental Damage” Course 2010.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH The Judicial Branch is the state body that by constitutional mandate exercises the Administration of Justice within the national territory, and therefore hears, resolves, and executes the judicial proceedings of the various jurisdictions brought before it. In the exercise of this function, it promotes the sustainable use of resources, preventing and reducing the environmental impacts generated by its activities and complying with current legislation.
To execute the environmental policy, programs are developed with specific objectives for waste management, energy consumption, water resource consumption and potability, environmental training and citizen participation, sustainable constructions, green and responsible purchasing, occupational health, emergency management, and conservation of natural resources, thus promoting the adoption of good environmental management practices and continuous improvement in all its activities, encouraging awareness, training, and education in environmental management among all officials.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT ADVANCES The initiative for the protection of natural resources and the improvement of the environment has been present in the Institution throughout its operation. This is why actions and programs have emerged from various spheres that positively affect the environmental performance of the administration of justice.
The existing actions, which are considered fundamental for adequate environmental management of the judicial organization, will be presented below.
Table No. 1 General data of the Institution and the Institutional Commission
| Institution Data | |
| Institution | Judicial Branch |
| Website | poder-judicial.go.cr |
| Institutional Email | [email protected] |
| Address of Central Offices | I Judicial Circuit: Central Canton of San José (Supreme Court of Justice Building – construction area: 16281 m2-, Judicial Investigation Agency Building – construction area: 28165 m2- and Courts of Justice Building – construction area: 24040 m2-) II Judicial Circuit: Courts Building located in the canton of Goicoechea (construction area: 23180 m2) |
| Postal Address | 1-1003 San José |
| Central Office Telephone | 2295-3000 fax 2257-4498 |
| Work Schedule | Daytime Courts and offices 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Evening Courts 4:30 p.m to 10 p.m. Additionally, there are effective on-call and availability roles 24 hours, plus prisons. |
| Number of Buildings | 9 ¿? |
| Number of Workers | I Judicial Circuit (San José): 4149 officials II Judicial Circuit (Goicoechea): 964 officials |
| Data of the Highest Authority | |
| Name | Zarella Villanueva |
| [email protected] | |
| Telephone | Central 2295-3000 |
| Fax | - |
| Postal Address | 2-1003 San José |
| Institutional Commission | |
| Data of the PGAI coordinator |
| Name | Dr.
Oscar González Camacho Email [email protected] Telephone 2295-4996 Fax 2257-4498 Post Office Box 2-1003 San José Representatives of the Institutional Commission
| Name | Position | Department / Court |
|---|---|---|
| Óscar González Camacho | Magistrate | Sala Primera |
| Carmenmaría Escoto Fernández | Magistrate | Sala Primera |
| Julia Varela Araya | Magistrate | Sala Segunda |
| Alejandro López Mc Adams | Council Member | Consejo Superior |
| Ana Eugenia Romero Jenkins | Deputy Director | Dirección Ejecutiva |
| José Rubén Dimas Portillo | Chief | Departamento de Artes Gráficas |
| Lena White Curling | Chief | Contraloría de Servicios |
| Mauricio Quirós Chacón | Chief | Unidad de Salud Ocupacional |
| Orlando Castrillo Vargas | Deputy Chief | Dirección de Tecnología de Información |
| Walter Jiménez Sorio | Deputy Auditor | Departamento de Auditoría |
| Hellen Poveda Montoya | Chief | Proceso de Administración de Bienes |
| Malberth Chaves Sanabria | Coordinator | Unidad de Salud Ocupacional |
| Amanda Madrigal Valerín | Attorney | Sala Primera |
| Daniel Aguilar Méndez | Judge | Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo |
| Francia León González | Training Manager | Escuela Judicial |
| Karla Arias Villalobos | Attorney | Sala Primera |
| Mauricio Chacón Hernandez | Judicial Expert | Departamento de Ciencias Forenses |
| Patricia Bonilla Rodríguez | IT Professional | Dirección de Tecnología de la Información |
Institutional Environmental Compliance Affidavit (Declaración Jurada de Cumplimiento Ambiental Institucional, DJCAI) The undersigned Zarela Villanueva, in my capacity as President of the Supreme Court of Justice, of the Judicial Branch, commit to fulfilling the commitments acquired in this document “Institutional Environmental Management Program” (Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional) and with what is set forth in Executive Decree Number 36499-S-MINAET “Regulation for the Elaboration of Institutional Environmental Management Programs in the Public Sector of Costa Rica” (Reglamento para la Elaboración de Programas de Gestión Ambiental Institucional en el Sector Público de Costa Rica).
Air Management (Climate Change) Within a maximum period of 5 years, fuel and electricity consumption will be reduced by 5%, through the implementation of the corresponding environmental programs. Within a maximum period of 6 months, 100% compliance with the current regulation will be achieved, through the environmental program for vehicle emissions control.
Water Management Within a maximum period of 6 months, regulations on wastewater will be complied with through the corresponding protocol. Within a maximum period of 2 years, water consumption will be reduced by 5%, through the application of the corresponding environmental program.
Soil and Solid Waste Management Within a maximum period of two years, a waste management program will be implemented that will allow the recovery of at least 20% of the waste currently generated, achieving the maximum possible compliance with regulations on ordinary solid waste, through the corresponding protocol to prevent and correct environmental pollution. Within a maximum period of two years, the workforce will have been made aware of their obligation to separate waste for its subsequent final disposal.
Energy Management Within a maximum period of 4 years, energy consumption will be reduced by at least 5%, through the environmental energy efficiency program.
Paper Management Within a maximum period of 2 years, paper consumption will be reduced by 5%, with the application of the measures established in the respective programs.
Natural and Anthropic Threats Within a maximum period of one year, the maximum possible compliance with regulations regarding the development and implementation of the Occupational Health Plan and emergency programs will be achieved.
Biotopes (flora and fauna) Within a maximum period of 6 months, documentation of existing plans and programs will be available. Increase the number of specimens in the area, through the use of available spaces. Within a period of 2 years, activities of the "justice with nature" program will be carried out.
Human Within a maximum period of one year, environmental training and awareness courses will be designed. Within a maximum period of six months, the mechanism for receiving complaints, suggestions, observations, etc., regarding the environmental management of the Judicial Branch will have been communicated. Within a maximum period of six months, the Environmental Policy will have been disseminated at the Institutional level.
Occupational Safety, Health, and Hygiene Within a maximum period of 3 years, documentation of existing plans and programs will be available.
Procurement of Goods (green purchasing) Within a period of 2 years, at least five green purchasing criteria will be incorporated into tender specifications and direct contracting.
Signature of the highest authority Institutional seal Inventory of Organizations The Judicial Branch is represented throughout the national territory, comprising the following circuits:
1. I Judicial Circuit of San José 2. II Judicial Circuit of San José 3. I Judicial Circuit of the Southern Zone (Pérez Zeledón) 4. II Judicial Circuit of the Southern Zone (Corredores) 5. II Judicial Circuit of the Southern Zone (Golfito Venue) 6. II Judicial Circuit of the Southern Zone (Osa Venue) 7. I Judicial Circuit of Alajuela 8. II Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (San Carlos) 9. III Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (San Ramón) 10. III Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (Grecia Venue) 11. Judicial Circuit of Heredia 12. Judicial City of San Joaquín de Flores 13. Judicial Circuit of Cartago 14. Judicial Circuit of Cartago (Turrialba Venue) 15. Judicial Circuit of Puntarenas 16. I Judicial Circuit of the Atlantic Zone (Limón) 17. II Judicial Circuit of the Atlantic Zone (Pococí) 18. I Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Liberia) 19. II Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Nicoya) 20. II Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Santa Cruz Venue) Regarding infrastructure, there are proprietary buildings and in some cases it is necessary to rent as more space is required; there are approximately 60 proprietary structures and 206 rented buildings. The following table shows the number of buildings per Regional Area:
| Judicial Circuit | Buildings | Number of Officials | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owned | Rented | ||
| I Judicial Circuit of San José | 12 | 49 | 4344 |
| II Judicial Circuit of San José | 2 | 1188 | |
| I Judicial Circuit of Alajuela | 4 | 1 | 538 |
| II Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (San Carlos) | 3 | 8[3] | 336 |
| III Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (San Ramón) | 1 | 3 | 218 |
| III Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (Grecia Venue) | 2 | 108 | |
| Judicial Circuit of Cartago | 1 | 18 | 489 |
| Judicial Circuit of Cartago (Turrialba Venue) | 2 | 128 | |
| Judicial Circuit of Heredia | 2 | 13 | 550 |
| Judicial City of San Joaquín de Flores | 12 | 569 | |
| Judicial Circuit of Puntarenas | 1 | 19 | 528 |
| I Judicial Circuit of the Southern Zone (Pérez Zeledón) | 2 | 2 | 320 |
| II Judicial Circuit of the Southern Zone (Corredores) | 2 | 4[4] | 177 |
| II Judicial Circuit of the Southern Zone (Golfito Venue) | 2 | 76 | |
| II Judicial Circuit of the Southern Zone (Osa Venue) | 1 | 1 | 65 |
| I Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Liberia) | 2 | 14 | 380 |
| II Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Nicoya) | 1 | 5 | 167 |
| II Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Santa Cruz Venue) | 2 | 213 | |
| II Judicial Circuit of the Atlantic Zone (Pococí) | 3 | 6 | 377 |
| I Judicial Circuit of the Atlantic Zone (Limón) | 3 | 2 | 462 |
| TOTAL | 60 | 145 | 11233 |
Initial Environmental Assessment (Diagnóstico Ambiental Inicial) Diagnosis Synthesis
| Environmental Aspect | Identified Environmental Impact | Significance | Synthesis of the environmental situation | Indicators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wastewater | Pollution of water resources. Loss of aquatic habitat. Generation of greenhouse gases. | Medium | Wastewater is generated from the daily use of toilets, showers, sinks, and canteens in the buildings. According to the activities from which they originate, they are considered ordinary type. According to estimates, in the First Judicial Circuit, located in San José, 18,684.4 m3 of wastewater are generated per month (Supreme Court of Justice Building, Judicial Investigation Agency Building, and Courts of Justice Building), while in the building of the Second Judicial Circuit, located in Goicoechea, 45,821.6 m3 are generated per month. The volume of wastewater is obtained through an estimation of consumption by number of people, since no records are kept of the volume generated. Prevention measures: Compliance activities were established for officials in general, these include: Preventing the pollution of drinking water and stormwater sources. Maintenance of grease traps located in the sinks and sculleries of the buildings. Diagnosis of disinfectants and other chemical substances used in cleaning and other activities, to evaluate the possibility of substitution with less polluting alternatives. Analysis of wastewater generated in the buildings. In case of non-compliance with one or several parameters, the necessary corrective actions are carried out so that the monitored values do not exceed permissible limits. Final disposal: The buildings have a sanitary sewer network where the wastewater is disposed. | Annual reports of wastewater analysis. |
| Drinking water | Depletion of water resources | High | Drinking water is supplied by the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados for the buildings of the first and second Judicial Circuits of San José. The main sources of use are toilets, showers, canteens, and consumption by workers and users. Currently, no record is kept of volumes of water consumed; there is only data on consumption expenditure for the entire Judicial Branch, therefore specific consumption data per building as well as per worker is not available. Among the pending tasks is to begin recording the cubic meters consumed per building. Saving measures have been implemented such as: Campaigns for consumption reduction like turning off the tap when brushing teeth, washing hands, and dishes. Procedures to identify and repair leaks. Avoiding practices that use large volumes of water, mainly in cleaning. Performing maintenance of the supply system and verification of water quality. Conducting awareness programs using signage and information systems on saving measures and goals for employees and visitors to the site. | Cubic meters consumed monthly per building. Record of the preventive and corrective maintenance program. Compliance with the parameters established for water potability. Record of courses and awareness activities delivered. |
| Greenhouse gas emissions (from mobile and/or stationary sources) | Air pollution, acid rain, generation of greenhouse gases. Depletion of the ozone layer. | Low | Air emissions come from the vehicle fleet of the Judicial Branch. They are the product of the fossil fuels used and are composed of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide, which cause acid rain and are the gases responsible for the greenhouse effect. Prevention measures: Procedures were established for the preventive maintenance of units, such as vehicle technical inspection. Programs are being developed for the reduction and mitigation of greenhouse gases as well as energy management programs. The collection of information on energy consumption will begin to keep reports, reviews, and controls. | Estimation of CO2 emissions due to electricity consumption. Estimation of CO2 emissions due to fuel consumption. |
| Consumption of Fossil Fuels | Consumption of non-renewable resources. Air pollution, generation of greenhouse gases. | Low | Fossil fuels are used only for the vehicle fleet of the buildings of the first and second Judicial Circuits of San José. Currently, diesel and gasoline are used. Saving measures: Measures were established for the preventive maintenance of the vehicle fleet. A plan of fuel-saving measures was created, to be implemented in a short-term period. | Total fuel consumption per building. (liters of fuel consumed per month) |
| Energy consumption | Destruction of forests (dams). Atmospheric pollution from the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation. | High | Electrical energy is supplied by the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz for the buildings of the first and second Judicial Circuits of San José. Practices related to energy consumption are mainly the use of computers, printers, photocopiers, lighting, refrigeration, and air conditioning. Among the measures established for energy saving are: Awareness programs were carried out for optimization in the use of lighting, air conditioning, and other electrical appliances and electronic devices. Cleaning programs are carried out for lighting systems. Computers, printers, and other electronic equipment were configured in energy-saving mode. | Total electricity consumption per building per month. |
| Paper consumption | Diminishing of the resource, incentivizing excessive tree felling and loss of habitat. | Medium | Paper is one of the most used resources within the institution; its consumption occurs in different administrative activities, offices, among others. In the last semester of 2011, a total of 7369 reams were delivered in the First Judicial Circuit of San José, while in the Second Judicial Circuit, 2400 reams were delivered. Consumption saving measures: Regarding prevention, measures are established to avoid unnecessary printing, maximizing the use of technology to replace paper, such as the use of email and the intranet for internal communications. Excessive printing of promotional materials was reduced. To reduce paper use, more efficient printing measures were established, such as using both sides of the paper, using recycled paper, and using paper printed on one side as drafts. The control of the amount of paper supplied to buildings continues. In 2010, the Judicial Branch's zero paper program began. With the objective of significantly reducing consumption, this program promotes the substitution of paper through the application of technological resources, in addition to establishing best practices for the rational use of paper. | Monthly paper consumption per office: Reams of paper consumed per month. |
| Generation of solid waste (ordinary, hazardous, and special handling) | Pollution of soil or water. Generation of greenhouse gases. Diminishing of the resource and loss of habitat. | High | The waste generated in the buildings of the first and second Judicial Circuits of San José is classified as ordinary and special handling; this comes from the daily activities carried out in the buildings. The ordinary waste generated includes paper and cardboard, plastic and brik containers, aluminum cans, glass, and other ordinary solid waste that is not classified and is delivered to a manager for final disposal. Special handling waste includes cartridges and toner, fluorescent lights, batteries, and electronic waste. Data on the amount of solid waste separated per month is not collected periodically, so there is only scattered data on materials delivered in certain months of the last year. These materials were plastic, cardboard, toner, batteries, and paper. Final disposal: Separation systems for ordinary waste were established, and its collection is managed with authorized entities. In addition, better controls on the quantities generated for recycling are being incorporated. The placement of identified containers for the proper segregation of waste is in process. | -Monthly quantity of waste collected separately per building by category (glass, paper, cardboard…) -Quantity of electronic waste delivered to authorized managers per year. -Quantity of toner, fluorescent lights, batteries delivered to authorized managers per year. -Quantity of areas in buildings that have waste separation points. -Number of training sessions conducted annually. |
| Green purchasing | Low | The processes for the purchase and procurement of goods and services were evaluated. The environmental policy was communicated to the workers responsible for preparing tender specifications, contracting, and direct purchases, and training was provided on the inclusion of environmental performance criteria in contracting. | - Percentage of officials of the Procurement Department to whom the environmental policy was communicated. -Number of suppliers and participants in the processes for the procurement of goods and services who have received communication of the environmental policy. -Percentage of officials who have received training on the subject of purchasing processes and services with environmental performance criteria. -Percentage of purchases of goods and services under any modality, in which environmental performance criteria were evaluated. | |
| Urban and natural landscape | Environmental impact due to poor landscape management | Low | The "Justice with Nature" Program was established and is being followed up on. This consists of a conservation and ornamentation plan for the La Soledad estate, which belongs to the Judicial Branch, and for other judicial circuits of the country. | Number of program activities carried out per year |
| Citizen participation | Damage to the human and archaeological environment | Low | Communication spaces were established for consultations, complaints, or suggestions about environmental management. The environmental policy and the environmental management plan of the institution were announced in a visible and permanent manner. | Number of officials trained per year. |
| Occupational safety, health, and hygiene | Human resources | Low | The elaboration of the Institutional Occupational Health Plan must be completed, according to the pertinent legal norms. | Documentation of the occupational safety, health, and hygiene programs. |
| Natural Disasters | Environmental damage due to inadequate disaster prevention | Low | Together with the Occupational Health Offices, prevention, preparation, and evacuation plans were carried out in case of an emergency or a possible disaster. | Emergency response plan elaborated. Documentation of communication channels with the neighbors of the buildings. |
| Environmental legislation | A review was conducted to establish the legal framework that the Judicial Branch must comply with in environmental matters. The guidelines of the current legislation were incorporated into the institutional environmental management plan along with the environmental measures necessary for legal compliance. Semi-annual reviews are conducted to identify new environmental legislation and thus integrate it into the environmental management plan. | Semi-annual record of the review and update of legislation. |
Scope of the PGAI This Program aims to cover the I and II Judicial Circuits in the year 2013, to integrate the Judicial City of San Joaquín de Flores in 2014 and initiate regional efforts.
The Plan aims to cover, in the medium term, the 162 (55 proprietary structures and 107 rented), raising awareness among judicial officials; according to Budget Law No. 9103, Year 2013, Ordinary and Extraordinary Budget of the Republic for the Economic Execution 2013[5], the Judicial Branch has 11,233 employees (10,793 ordinary positions and 440 extraordinary).
According to an analysis conducted by the Environmental Affairs Commission, a questionnaire was sent to each regional administration; variables alluding to the environmental impact of each administration were analyzed. The questionnaire consisted of 18 questions, which are divided into General Data, Wastewater, Drinking Water, Fuel, Energy, Human Resources, among others. The score obtained was related to the number of officials, buildings, and the existence of any environmental subcommittee, in order to understand the ease of implementation of the PGAI in each of the Regionals. From this, it is recommended to begin implementation in Grecia, Turrialba, and Santa Cruz. Then proceed with Osa, Golfito, Nicoya, Corredores, San Carlos, and San Ramón, which, except for San Carlos, have a negative environmental impact tending to high, so it is necessary to take measures in this regard.
In an intermediate stage, the Regionals of Pérez Zeledón, Alajuela, Limón, Pococí, and Puntarenas can be integrated, finishing with Cartago. The process would be as follows:
Specific Diagnostics: Energy Efficiency Diagnosis and Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Energy Efficiency Diagnosis The execution of the diagnosis for the I and II Judicial Circuit in San José is being coordinated with the CNFL, intended to begin in 2013, in order to take actions in this regard during 2014 and 2015.
Subsequently, coordination will take place to diagnose the situation of other Regional Areas.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Definition of responsibility and scope of the inventory The Environmental Affairs Commission (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales) is responsible for carrying out the emissions inventory; these will be conducted in Judicial Circuits (Circuitos Judiciales) I and II, annually. The first inventory is carried out in the year 2013, taking into account the records from 2012.
Identification of Emissions They are classified as direct and indirect; fugitive emissions will not be calculated.
Direct emissions:
· Judicial branch vehicle fleet: It is known that the transportation sector is the main party responsible for the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) into the atmosphere, due to its massive consumption of hydrocarbons; it is essential to analyze institutional consumption and what it represents in terms of emissions into the atmosphere.
Table. Annual consumption of Diesel and Gasoline from mobile sources, Circuit I
| Total Liters (l) | Carbon Dioxide | Methane | Methane | Nitrous Oxide | Nitrous Oxide | Kg of CO2 equivalent (kg CO2e) | Tonnes of CO2 equivalent (ton CO2) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (kg CO2) | (g CH4) | (kg CH4) | (g N2O) | (kg N2O) | ||||
| Diesel | 176303.09 | 474255.31 | 24964.52 | 24.96 | 24964.52 | 24.96 | 482518.57 | 482.52 |
| Gasoline | 426651.23 | 964231.78 | 459503.37 | 459.5 | 44585.05 | 44.59 | 987702.72 | 987.7 |
| Total | 602954.32 | 1438487.09 | 484467.89 | 484.46 | 69549.57 | 69.55 | 1470221.29 | 1470.22 |
Table. Annual consumption of Diesel and gasoline from mobile sources, Circuit II
| Total Liters (l) | Carbon Dioxide | Methane | Methane | Nitrous Oxide | Nitrous Oxide | Kg of CO2 equivalent (kg CO2e) | Tonnes of CO2 equivalent (t CO2e) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (kg CO2) | (g CH4) | (kg CH4) | (g N2O) | (kg N2O) | ||||
| Diesel | 3,143.33 | 8455.5577 | 445.1 | 0.45 | 445.1 | 0.45 | 8602.88 | 8.6 |
| Gasoline | 5464.14 | 12348.96 | 5884.88 | 5.88 | 571 | 0.57 | 12649.55 | 12.65 |
| Total | 8,607.47 | 20,804.52 | 6,329.98 | 6.33 | 1,016.10 | 1.02 | 21,252.43 | 21.25 |
Figure. Fuel consumption, regarding diesel, 2012 Judicial Circuits I and II, in liters.
Source. Own Elaboration, 2013.
· Emergency electricity generating plants: Judicial Circuit I has 4 generating plants, which operate on Diesel; their fuel consumption varies according to the electrical outages carried out at the national level, although they have a base consumption, which is for maintenance, since these plants are turned on once a month for one hour, to ensure their operation. For the calculation of emissions, Diesel consumption for 2012, reported by the Supply Department (Proveeduría), is taken into account; below are the results, Table. Calculation of GHG emissions for Judicial Circuit I.
| Diesel (Commercial / institutional) | Total Liters (l) | Carbon Dioxide (kg CO2) | Methane (kg CH4) | Nitrous Oxide (kg N2O) | Kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO2e) | Tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (t CO2e) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,788 | 10189.72 | 1.38 | 0.08 | 10244.17 | 10.24 |
Source. Own Elaboration with data from the Supply Department (Proveeduría) and DIGECA, 2013.
Indirect emissions:
· Electricity: According to ICE reports, by the end of 2009, 95.9% of electricity generation came from renewable sources, while 4.1% comes from fossil fuels. The utilization by source is 84% hydroelectric, 8% geothermal, 5% wind, 3% biomass. (ICE, 2012).
According to the data provided by the National Power and Light Company (Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz), regarding the electrical consumption of the buildings of Judicial Circuits I and II of San José for the year 2012, the following data is obtained,
| # | Building/Dependency | Energy Consumption (kWh/month) | Maximum Demand (kW) | Amount (¢/month) | Physical Area (m2) | Indicators | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical energy consumption per physical area per month (kWh/m2/month) | Kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per month (kg CO2e/month) | ||||||
| 1 | Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) | 71.63 | 136.76 | ₡7,331,723 | 16281 | 0.00 | 4.01 |
| 2 | OIJ Annex A, B, and C | 198.69 | 448.20 | ₡20,904,555 | 31373 | 0.01 | 11.13 |
| 3 | Courts of Justice Circuit I (Tribunales de Justicia I Circuito) | 92.95 | 232.94 | ₡9,136,667 | 24040 | 0.00 | 5.21 |
| 4 | Annex D | 3.76 | ₡347,560 | 1428 | 0.00 | 0.21 | |
| 5 | Courts of Justice Circuit II Goicochea (Tribunales de Justicia II Circuito Goicochea) | 112.95 | 273.28 | ₡10,522,118 | 23180 | 0.00 | 6.33 |
| 6 | Courts Circuit II Motorola building (Tribunales II Circuito edificio Motorola) | 28.43 | 130.55 | ₡2,846,629 | 4900 | 0.01 | 1.59 |
| TOTAL | 508.43 | 448.20 | ₡51,089,253 | 101201.49 | - | 28.47 |
Source: Own elaboration with data from CNFL and DIGECA, 2013.
· Air Conditioners: They are considered within the gas emitters since they use refrigerant gases, which are known to be major pollutants. It has 5 Air Conditioners of 12000 BTU 3 Air Conditioners of 14000 BTU 1 Air Conditioner of 15000 BTU 6 Air Conditioners of 18000 BTU 2 Air Conditioners of 24000 BTU 1 Air Conditioner of 36000 BTU 1 Air Conditioner of 48000 BTU 20 Window-type Air Conditioners · Others While it is true that solid waste, purchases of supplies, and the generation of wastewater contribute Greenhouse Gas emissions to the atmosphere, they will not be considered within the calculation.
Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that there is a recycling program that allows for the reduction of emissions from this concept, green purchasing that collaborates in the reduction of emissions, and regarding the Wastewater (Black and soapy) from Circuits I and II, they are disposed of into the San José sanitary sewer system, so it is not possible to generate conclusive data.
Gases evaluated · Carbon dioxide (CO2) · Methane (CH4) · Nitrous Oxide (N2O) · Halocarbons (HFC): Due to the use of air conditioning and refrigerator systems.
GENERAL EMISSIONS CALCULATION Table. Greenhouse gas emissions 2012 for Judicial Circuits I and II of San José.
| Emissions | kg CO2e | kg CO2 | kg CH4 | kg N2O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation | 1,491,417.72 | 1459291.61 | 490.79 | 70.57 |
| Electricity | 341.66 | - | - | - |
| Emergency plants | 10244.17 | 10189.72 | 1.38 | 0.08 |
| Total | 1,502,003.55 | 1469481.33 | 492.17 | 70.65 |
Source: Own elaboration with data from the Supply Department (Proveeduría), CNFL, and formulas from DIGECA, 2013.
Currently, work is being done on the calculation of gas emissions from the use of air conditioners; as it is in process, it is not presented in this document.
Among the pending tasks for environmental improvement within the Institutional Plan, the following is established:
· Development of an Institutional carbon dioxide emissions mitigation program.
For this first stage of implementation, protocols have been established for the control of vehicle emissions, as well as the establishment of the documentation for the Justice in Nature (Justicia en la Naturaleza) program and an energy efficiency program. The objective is set to consolidate these institutional efforts into a carbon footprint mitigation program, which for the moment is established as a pending task. Despite having some progress in this matter, it is considered a pending task to work on, at the latest in 2013, to have the calculation of emissions for Judicial Circuits I and II and, if possible, to integrate data collection efforts into the regional areas in that same year.
Action Plan Table. Matrix
| Theme | Environmental Aspect | Priority | Objectives | Environmental Goals | Estimated Completion Deadline | Indicators | Environmental Measures | Budget | Responsible Parties |
|---|
| Water management | Wastewater | Medium | Comply with legislation on wastewater discharge | Comply with all parameters established in the legislation for discharge and reuse of wastewater. | December 2012 | Maximum limits established for universal parameters of wastewater discharged into the sanitary sewer system Annual analysis report. | Environmental program for wastewater | Budget depends on what is assigned in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission / Regional Administrations | | | Drinking water | High | Reduce water consumption | Decrease water consumption by 5% | December 2012 | Cubic meters consumed monthly per building. Record of the preventive and corrective maintenance program. Compliance with the parameters established for water potability. Record of the courses and awareness-raising activities given. | Environmental program for water consumption | Budget depends on what is assigned in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission | | Air management | Greenhouse gas emissions. | Low | Decrease greenhouse gas emissions | Decrease fuel consumption by 5%. Decrease electricity consumption by 5%. | December 2013 | Total fuel consumption (liters of fuel consumed per month) | Environmental program for Greenhouse gas emissions | Budget depends on what is assigned in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission/Department of Transportation. | | | Consumption of Fossil Fuels | Low | Reduce the consumption of fossil fuels | Decrease fuel consumption by 5% | December 2014 | Total fuel consumption (liters of fuel consumed per month) | Environmental program for the consumption of fossil fuels. | Budget depends on what is assigned in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission/Department of Transportation. | | Energy management | Energy consumption | High | Reduce electricity consumption | Decrease electricity consumption by 5% | December 2013 | Total electricity consumption per building per month. | Environmental energy efficiency program. | Budget depends on what is assigned in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission. | | Paper management | Paper consumption | Medium | Reduce paper consumption | Decrease paper consumption by 5% | December 2013 | Reams of paper consumed per month. | Environmental program for paper consumption. | Budget depends on what is assigned in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission. | | Solid and liquid waste management. | Generation of solid waste (ordinary, hazardous, and special handling) | High | Valorize generated solid waste. | Valorization of at least 20% of the ordinary waste generated. | December 2014 | Percentage of waste valorized per year. | Environmental program for solid waste. Environmental program for special waste. | Budget depends on what is assigned in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission. | | | Incorporate separation systems for ordinary and special solid waste. | | Install systems to separate solid waste in all buildings within the scope. | | Kilograms of waste separated per month per building. Quantity of electronic waste delivered to authorized managers per year. Quantity of toner, fluorescent bulbs, batteries delivered to authorized managers per year. Quantity of areas in the buildings that have waste separation points. | | | | | | Sensitize officials on proper solid waste management. | | Train all officials of the buildings included within the scope. | | Quantity of trainings carried out per year. | | | | | Environmental management | Green purchasing | Low | Include environmental performance criteria in the processes for purchasing goods and services. | Incorporate five green purchasing criteria in tender documents and direct contracting | December 2014 | Percentage of officials from the Supply Department who were informed of the environmental policy. Number of suppliers and participants in the processes for acquiring goods and services who have received the communication of the environmental policy. Percentage of officials who received training on purchasing and service processes with environmental performance criteria. Percentage of purchases of goods and services under any modality, in which environmental performance criteria were evaluated. | Environmental program for Green purchasing | No economic investment is required. | Environmental Affairs Commission/Supply Department/ General Services | | Biotype and ecosystems | Urban and natural landscape | Low | Follow up on the justice with nature programs. | Carry out activities established in the justice with nature program. | December 2014 | Amount of program activities carried out per year | Justice with Nature program (Programa de Justicia con la naturaleza). | No economic investment is required | Environmental Affairs Commission | | Human | Citizen participation | Low | Carry out training and awareness-raising courses Communicate the complaint disclosure mechanism. Disseminate the institution's environmental policy. | Train all officials on the environmental topic. | December 2014 | Number of officials trained per year. | Environmental citizen participation program | Requires minimal investment. | Environmental Affairs Commission / Department of Information Technology / Comptroller of Services (Contraloría de Servicios) | | | | Communicate to all officials the complaint disclosure mechanism. | | | | | | | | | Disseminate the environmental policy to all officials. | | | | | | | Human | Occupational safety, health, and hygiene | Low | Document occupational health plans. | Have all Occupational safety, health, and hygiene plans and programs documented | December 2015 | Documentation of the Occupational safety, health, and hygiene programs. | Carry out the occupational safety, health, and hygiene procedures in conjunction with the Occupational Health office. | Ordinary budget. Minimal investment. | Occupational Health Office / Department of Human Management | | Natural and anthropic threats/risks | Natural Disasters | Low | Environmental program for the prevention and attention of natural disasters. | Comply with all standards established in regulations on disaster prevention. | December 2012 | Emergency attention program prepared. Documentation of communication channels with neighbors of the buildings. | Environmental program for natural threats. | No economic investment is required, only human resources. | Environmental Affairs Commission | | Environmental management | Environmental legislation | medium | Continue with the program for review and updating of environmental legislation. | Update all environmental legislation. | December 2012 | Biannual record of the review and updating of the legislation. | Environmental program for environmental legislation | No economic investment is required, only human resources. | Environmental Affairs Commission | It is determined that the priority programs to be implemented based on their economic, temporal, and environmental impact priority are in the areas of water for human consumption, energy consumption, waste generation, followed by the programs defined as medium priority, those for wastewater, paper consumption, and environmental legislation. The variables of greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption are determined as low priority, as well as the programs for green purchasing, urban and natural landscape, citizen participation, occupational safety, health, and hygiene, and the variable of Natural Disasters.
To achieve the objectives outlined in the Environmental Management Program, nine independent environmental programs have been generated, which together constitute the various axes of action for addressing the environmental impacts that the Judicial Branch (Poder Judicial) generates as a result of its daily activities.
The environmental programs considered are the following:
| Acronyms (*) | Name of the Program |
|---|---|
| P-CAA-PGA-PAE-001 | Environmental program for wastewater |
| P-CAA-PGA-PAE-002 | Environmental program for drinking water |
| P-CAA-PGA-PAE-003 | Environmental program for vehicle fleet control |
| P-CAA-PGA-PAE-004 | Environmental program for the prevention and attention of natural disasters |
| P-CAA-PGA-PAE-005 | Environmental energy efficiency program |
| P-CAA-PGA-PAE-006 | Environmental program for the management of ordinary solid waste |
| P-CAA-PGA-PAE-007 | Environmental program for the management of special waste |
| P-CAA-PGA-PAE-008 | Environmental program for the acquisition of environmentally friendly goods and services |
| P-CAA-PGA-PAE-009 | Environmental program for paper consumption |
| P-CAA-PGA-PAE-010 | Environmental program for the review and updating of current environmental legislation |
| P-CAA-PGA-PAE-011 | Environmental program for citizen participation and training |
(*): The acronyms correspond to: P= Protocol (Protocolo), CAA= Environmental Affairs Commission (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales), PGA= Environmental Management Plan (Plan de Gestión Ambiental), PAE= Specific Environmental Protocol (Protocolo Ambiental Específico).
The detail of the programs carried out is presented in Annex X Pending Environmental Improvement Tasks Creation of a dependency responsible for the institution's environmental management with suitable personnel.
Once the Institutional PGA has been developed and launched, it becomes essential to consolidate a body responsible for the system's operability.
At present, the work has been carried out by the Environmental Affairs Commission, which integrates officials who, on a part-time basis, dedicate themselves to attending to these matters. However, to guarantee success and continuous improvement, the need is evident for a formally constituted office that has suitable personnel and knowledge of the subject, which works in a coordinated manner with areas directly related to its work, such as the Planning Department, the Department of Information Technology, the Occupational Health Office of the Department of Human Management, among others.
Implementation of the Environmental Management Plan in other Judicial Circuits in a progressive manner Due to the number of buildings and organizations that the Judicial Branch has, the implementation of an Institutional Environmental Management Plan is a process that must be carried out progressively. Currently, the Institution has a total of fourteen Judicial Circuits, in addition to dependencies of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público), Public Defense (Defensa Pública), and offices, delegations, and sub-delegations of the Judicial Investigation Agency (Organismo de Investigación Judicial).
It is therefore intended to gradually incorporate the different offices until covering all the facilities that the Institution has at the national level.
Development of Energy Audits for the buildings One of the most significant environmental impacts caused by the Institution is the high consumption of energy.
In an effort to diagnose the most sensitive areas, the collaboration of the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz was requested to carry out energy audits that allow for the identification of critical areas and the establishment of actions to optimize the resource.
Development of the Occupational Health Plan according to relevant legal standards As part of the implementation of the Environmental Management Plan, the Occupational Health Office must finalize the development of the Institutional Occupational Health Plan, according to the relevant legal standards.
As indicated by the Occupational Health managers, due to the workload that this area maintains, its completion in a period of less than two years does not seem possible, so it is established as a pending task.
Development of an Institutional carbon dioxide emissions mitigation program For this first implementation stage, protocols have been established for the control of vehicle emissions, as well as the establishment of the documentation for the Justicia en la Naturaleza program and an energy efficiency program.
The objective is set to consolidate these institutional efforts into a carbon footprint mitigation program, which for the moment is established as a pending task.
Annexes Qualification of environmental aspects
| Aspecto ambiental | Calificación obtenida |
|---|---|
| Emisiones de fuentes fijas | NA |
| Emisiones de fuentes móviles | 71% |
| Generación de ruido y vibraciones por actividades antrópicas | NA |
| Emisiones de radiaciones ionizantes | NA |
| Emisiones de olores | NA |
| Consumo de agua | 58% |
| Generación de aguas residuales | 67% |
| Generación de residuos sólidos ordinarios | 92% |
| Consumo de papel | 100% |
| Generación de residuos electrónicos | 40% |
| Generación de residuos sólidos peligrosos | 88% |
| Generación de residuos infectocontagiosos | NA |
| Uso de sustancias peligrosas | NA |
| Manejo de productos derivados de hidrocarburos | NA |
| Uso de plaguicidas | NA |
| Uso de sustancias radioactivas | NA |
| Consumo de combustibles fósiles | 29% |
| Consumo de energía eléctrica | 62% |
| Seguridad y manejo de desastres naturales | 80% |
Prepared by: Yazmín Carranza Barrantes, 2012.
NA = Not applicable.
Environmental programs of the Poder Judicial Programs Programa Justicia para la Naturaleza.[6] The program seeks to jointly develop with the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz and the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía a conservation and landscaping plan on the Finca La Soledad of the Poder Judicial and other judicial circuits of the country, within a concept of sustainable development and as a contribution to Costa Rican society.
The farm, with a total area of 35 hectares, allocates 8 hectares to the project (areas where construction is not feasible, such as the banks of the Río Porrosatí, Río Sajón, Río Segundo, and the Las Flores stream, on the banks of water sources and springs (nacientes), as well as all those zones that, due to their slope, imply high costs if construction were attempted, sensitive replanting areas such as the edges of the boulevard and surroundings of the buildings). It also considers 12,570 m2 of potential areas in the different judicial circuits.
A planting density of 816 trees per hectare was set, at a distance of 3.5 x 3.5, meaning that in the 8 hectares (which include sensitive replanting areas such as the edges of the boulevard and surroundings of the buildings) approximately 7,000 units between trees and shrubs are required.
Main native species of the zone or that are endangered and can adapt to the area:
Roble Sabana, Corteza Amarilla Jacaranda Cristóbal (Endangered) Níspero Caoba (Endangered) Ron Ron (Endangered) Ojoche (Endangered) Chirraca (Endangered) Ceiba Pochote Project Stages Stage I: Reforestation of areas with species from the region; additionally, experts in the field assess the planting of endangered species that can adapt to the zone, as well as the construction of basic infrastructure (trails, trash cans, signage for species location and for visitors).
Stage II: Construction of basic infrastructure for picnics and other uses (ranchos, tables, sanitary services, a bridge, and viewpoints).
Stage III: Construction of a butterfly garden, sports complex, outdoor amphitheater, lakes.
Stage IV: Reforestation of potential areas in the other judicial circuits.
Project Beneficiaries:
Direct: 375 current employees of the Ciudad Judicial of San Joaquín de Flores and other employees of the Poder Judicial who, in their free time, will be able to access a recreation place for their families and all the implicit benefits of a project of this nature.
Indirect: Schools and high schools in the zone, which in a controlled manner will have access to the project, contributing to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility in students through common activities and projects.
In the long term, community access to the facilities will be opened gradually and in a controlled manner so that they visit the place and help in the conservation and protection of the resources of Finca la Soledad.
In general terms, grassroots organizations, surrounding communities, companies in the area, and Costa Rican society would also indirectly benefit, given that this project is a contribution to environmental conservation, which entails the protection of biodiversity for the preservation of ecosystems and forms of life, and fosters a culture of responsibility towards environmental conservation.
Programa Cero Papel.
This program aims to guarantee an agile justice system that dispenses with the use of paper, maximizing the use of technological resources and the application of good practices that contribute to improving the service, reducing the use of paper and photocopies in offices.
The Commission in charge of implementing the program began its functions in March 2010 and is composed of four representatives from each of the various sectors of the Poder Judicial. Doctora Lupita Chávez Cervantes, a member of the Consejo Superior, serves as the General Coordinator.
The commitments of this Commission are the following:[7] · Assume leadership and development of policies and strategies to promote the paperless transformation of justice.
· Promote the use of technology, orality, among others.
· Reduce costs for justice and collaborate with the environment.
· Ensure that the shift away from paper becomes a means to strengthen the rights of users, so that processes receive agile, flexible processing without diminishing the quality of decisions.
Emergency Plans: Evacuation Plan developed by Occupational Health.
Evacuation plans for seismic risk for the institution's buildings have been developed.
Initiatives and campaigns.
Electronic Courts.
This initiative has been developed through the Court Management component of the Corte-Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo Program, which redesigned processes in Labor, Criminal, and Constitutional matters. Currently, as a pilot plan, it is being developed in three judicial offices in the country, with the objective of streamlining their processing, promoting online litigation, the application of orality through a hearing-based process, and the implementation of paperless offices.
The aim is swiftness and service improvement, as the purpose guiding three pilot offices that will begin in the month of October: the Juzgado Penal of the II Circuito Judicial de San José (Goicoechea Venue), the Juzgado de Trabajo of Cartago, and the Sala Constitucional. These offices have taken on this program, which optimizes the use of technological resources and achieves an improvement in the justice administration service. Its practical effect is managing the process from a virtual desktop, making notifications through non-traditional means, and receiving files virtually from the Tribunales de Apelación. Likewise, litigants and users could file their claims via email through the online management system, which only requires that the parties appear at the office and request their access code; from there, any procedure or consultation of the case is done via the Internet, or individuals can appear at the office and the claim document is scanned.[8] This Initiative positively impacts the efficient use of paper and transcends the judicial sphere, as the effect also occurs at the level of litigants and large users, who will likewise reduce the consumption of paper and other associated supplies from their operational centers.
Actions to reduce paper use within the Planes Anuales Operativos.
The Plans and Budget Section of the Planning Department issued circulars N. 006-2010 and its addendum N. 007-2010, addressed to Consejos de Administración, program administrators, heads of responsibility centers, office chiefs, and others involved in the formulation of the 2011 Planes Anuales Operativos. Its purpose is for the policy of reduction in paper use to be incorporated as one of the objectives of the Planes Anuales Operativos for the 2011 period (PAO-2011).
Said circular literally states:
“In Circular 006-2010 from the Planning Department, issued on October 1, 2010, point 5) should be read as follows: …5- It is important to emphasize that specific objectives, goals, indicators, activities, and coordination related to the thematic axes of Gender, Accessibility, Values, substitution of paper with technological tools (cero papel), Self-evaluation, and Risks must be included on a mandatory basis, which should be associated with the above concepts as appropriate, using the last column of the attached PAO formula.” (the underlining indicates the addition).
Regional Recycling Initiatives, waste management programs, and occasional environmental awareness campaigns.
The various offices and buildings of the judicial circuits have independently sought to address the management of ordinary solid waste (residuos sólidos ordinarios) generated by the offices in their daily operations. In this way, institutional efforts by administrators and office chiefs have been identified, as well as by the General Services Department and the Procurement Office, who have made contacts with schools to which they deliver the waste for recycling. By way of illustration, such actions are followed in the Buildings of the I and II Circuito Judicial de San José through the Administration and General Services, as well as in the Ciudad Judicial of San Joaquín de Flores and regional buildings like Puntarenas. This has enabled the recovery of a percentage of the paper used and discarded by the institution for its valorization and subsequent recycling with the managers to whom it is finally delivered.
Similarly, in the Forensic Sciences Department of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (located in the Ciudad Judicial of San Joaquín de Flores), there has been a hazardous waste management model in place for several years, along with protocols for the collection, treatment, and disposal of infectious materials.
Additionally, various efforts have existed regarding awareness of paper use and waste separation, or final disposal of cell phones.
Astorga, A. 2007. Manual de Instrucciones para la elaboración de Planes de Gestión Ambiental en el sector público de Costa Rica. Technical Document, Dirección de Gestión de Calidad Ambiental, Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía de Costa Rica, 104 p.” - 0 - It was agreed: To approve the Environmental Management Plan in accordance with the update submitted by the Environmental Affairs Commission and to make it known to the División de Gestión de Calidad of the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía. It is understood that the commitment acquired by the Poder Judicial to fulfill the commitments undertaken in this document “Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional” and with what is set forth in Decreto Ejecutivo Número 36499-S-MINAET “Reglamento para la Elaboración de Programas de Gestión Ambiental Institucional en el Sector Público de Costa Rica,” is based on the prior analysis carried out by the officials who make up the aforementioned Environmental Affairs Commission. This agreement is declared firm.
Tanara Jiménez is responsible for updating it.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>The validity\r\nof each PGAI is 5 years, therefore an update must be carried out for the year\r\n2017, unless one is necessary in a shorter time due to operational changes or\r\nanother reason considered by the responsible Commission.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'> </p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:\r\n42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><a name=\"_Toc342977105\"></a><a\r\nname=\"_Toc356390377\"></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Background of the\r\nOrganization.</span></h2>\r\n\r\n<h2 style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:\r\n42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> </span></h2>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>The\r\ninstitutional historical development of the Supreme Court of Justice begins\r\nwith the very Independence of Costa Rica, on September 15, 1821, when the\r\npeople of the time decided to organize themselves politically and form their\r\nown government. From the first constitutional text issued on December 1, 1821,\r\ncalled the Interim Fundamental Social Pact of Costa Rica and known as the Pacto de Concordia, the foundations of the current State were laid. It was thus that the Junta Suprema Gubernamental was established, in charge of exercising government functions, and a Tribunal was created with the function of administering justice, following the laws for the Indo-Spanish peoples, known as the Laws of the Indies, which had been issued by the rulers of Spain to regulate the interests of the Spanish empire in American territories; thus emerging the “<i>first foundation of the Supreme Court</i>”<a\r\nhref=\"#_ftn1\" name=\"_ftnref1\" title=\"\"><span class=MsoFootnoteReference>[1]</span></a>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>From that\r\nmoment on, social, political, and economic phenomena began to emerge that, over\r\ntwo centuries, shaped the structure of the current State, the balance in the\r\nfunctioning of the branches of government (executive, legislative, and\r\njudicial), and the organization of its institutions and dependencies.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>Guided by\r\nthe principle of judicial independence visualized in its powers of\r\nself-government and the allocation of its own budget, the Supreme Court of Justice\r\nhas had to grow throughout the national territory, in accordance with the real\r\nneeds to fulfill its function of administering justice, and to bring the\r\nfundamental, constitutionally mandated service to all populations and social\r\nsectors.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>The Judicial\r\nBranch is fundamental for the existence and strengthening of Costa Rican\r\ndemocracy and the achievement of social peace; therefore, its functions are\r\nindispensable. Article 121, subsection 20 of the Political Constitution\r\nestablished the power to create new Tribunals within the Judicial Branch in\r\ndifferent parts of the country, according to the criteria of the Court and\r\napproval by the Legislative Assembly. For this reason, throughout its history,\r\nnew offices and jurisdictions have been integrated, which has resulted in the\r\npresence of many buildings of various sizes throughout the national territory.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:\r\n42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><a name=\"_Toc342977107\"></a><a\r\nname=\"_Toc356390378\"></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Function and Organization\r\nof the Judicial Branch</span><a href=\"#_ftn2\" name=\"_ftnref2\" title=\"\"><span\r\nclass=MsoFootnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal;\r\nfont-style:normal'>[2]</span></span></a></h2>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>The Judicial\r\nBranch of Costa Rica, Supreme Branch of the Republic, has the obligation to\r\nenforce the laws and administer justice; a fundamental objective designated by\r\nthe Political Constitution; likewise, it is guided by the legal directives\r\nestablished in the Organic Law of the Judicial Branch, Law number 7333 of May\r\n5, 1993, which establishes in Article 1:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><i>“...It corresponds\r\nto the Judicial Branch, in addition to the functions that the Constitution\r\nassigns to it, to hear civil, criminal, juvenile criminal, commercial, labor,\r\ncontentious-administrative and civil treasury, constitutional, family, and\r\nagrarian proceedings, as well as others established by Law; to resolve\r\ndefinitively on them and to execute the resolutions it pronounces, with the\r\nhelp of the Public Force if necessary.”</i></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>For the\r\nfulfillment of these functions, Article 2 of that same normative body\r\nreinforces the functional independence of the Judicial Branch by stating:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>“<i>The Judicial\r\nBranch is only subject to the Political Constitution and the Law. The\r\nresolutions it issues, in matters of its competence, impose no other\r\nresponsibilities than those expressly indicated by legislative precepts. \r\nNotwithstanding, the superior authority of the Court will prevail over its\r\nperformance to guarantee that the administration of justice is prompt and\r\nfulfilled</i>.”</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>Supported by\r\nthe principle of independence reaffirmed in Article 9 of the Political\r\nConstitution, which grants this Branch of the Republic total and absolute\r\nindependence, and which constitutes a guarantee that justice is imparted in\r\nCosta Rica in strict adherence to the spirit of the Law; the administration of\r\njustice, to avoid arbitrariness and achieve prompt and expeditious justice, is\r\norganized by important principles, such as due process, from which stem the\r\nright to a hearing, to a defense, to equality and procedural loyalty, to be\r\njudged by impartial and independent tribunals, by competent courts through\r\npre-established procedures.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>To achieve\r\nits objectives, the Judicial Branch formed a structure divided and organized\r\ninto three different areas, which depend on the Supreme Court of Justice;\r\nnamely: the jurisdictional area, the auxiliary justice area, and the\r\nadministrative area, as illustrated in the following figure:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><img\r\nwidth=552 height=494 src=\"data:image/gif;base64,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\"></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal>Figure 1. Organizational Chart of the Judicial Branch</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:red'> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>On the other\r\nhand, the Strategic Plan 2007-2011 of the Judicial Branch defines the <b>mission and\r\nvision</b> of the institution as follows:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><b>Mission:</b> “To administer\r\njustice in a prompt, fulfilled manner, without denial and in strict conformity\r\nwith the legal system, guaranteeing quality in the provision of\r\nservices for the users who require it.”</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><b>Vision:</b>\r\n“To be a Judicial Branch that guarantees the user access to\r\njustice and resolves their conflicts with modern organizational and\r\nmanagement systems; composed of personnel guided by shared institutional\r\nvalues, aware of their role in the development of the nation and supported by\r\nstrategic partners.”</p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:\r\n42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><a name=\"_Toc356390379\"></a><a\r\nname=\"_Toc342977108\"></a><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>PGAI\r\nSupport Units</span></i></h3>\r\n\r\n<h3 style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:\r\n42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><a name=\"_Toc342977111\"></a><a\r\nname=\"_Toc342977122\"></a><a name=\"_Toc356390380\"></a><i><span style='font-size:\r\n10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Environmental Affairs Commission.</span></i></h3>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><span\r\nlang=ES-CR>I</span><span lang=ES-MX>t began operating on September 8, </span>2009, coordinated by Magistrate Oscar González Camacho, (who presides); and\r\nMagistrates Julia Varela and Carmenmaría Escoto; as well as different sectors\r\nof judges from the Contentious-Administrative, Agrarian, and Civil courts. Officials from the Public Ministry, General Services, the\r\nProcurement Department, the Information Technology Department, the\r\nServices Comptrollership, the Department of Forensic Sciences of the Judicial\r\nInvestigation Agency, the Press and Communication Department, the Judicial\r\nSchool, the Graphic Arts Department, the Superior Council, among others, also\r\njoined.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>Through the\r\nactions promoted by the Commission, important contributions are sought, not only at the institutional level but also in global\r\nplanning of general and environmental policies, with the aim of establishing within\r\nthe Institution a clear awareness of what can be done internally and\r\nexternally for the improvement of environmental management.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>Through this\r\nCommission, the aim is to establish a general policy with immediate parallel\r\nactions, which requires the definition of a diagnostic that\r\nwill allow establishing the state in which this Branch of the Republic finds\r\nitself on the topic, knowing the ecological footprint of the institution, the\r\nmanagement of aspects such as vehicles and the use of fuels, waste management,\r\nenergy consumption, recycling, use of technology, building construction and\r\nreforestation topics, promoting environmental awareness among officials,\r\namong others.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><span\r\nlang=ES-CR>This commission meets the last week of each month in order to\r\nlearn about the progress and projects to carry out for the Institutional Environmental\r\nManagement Program.</span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>With the\r\nobjective of exchanging experiences and taking advantage of the capacities of\r\nsome institutions, the Commission has established contacts with various\r\ngovernmental and non-governmental entities such as state universities,\r\nthe Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications, the Ministry of\r\nthe Presidency, and private organizations, in order to coordinate concrete\r\nactions that allow for an integration of their activities.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>The\r\nEnvironmental Affairs Commission developed an Institutional Environmental\r\nManagement Plan for the period 2011-2013, where it covered topics such as\r\nresponsible water consumption, reduction in energy consumption, adequate\r\nwaste management; as well as other topics such as the construction of\r\nbuildings friendlier to the environment (bioclimatic architecture), the\r\nmitigation of the institutional carbon footprint, among others; and work is\r\ncurrently underway on updating and implementing this Plan.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:\r\n42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><a name=\"_Toc342977112\"></a><a\r\nname=\"_Toc356390381\"></a><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Recycling\r\nCommission.</span></i></h3>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>For some\r\nyears, the Recycling Commission, made up of officials from the institution concerned with the management of\r\ninstitutional waste, was in operation. Said Commission began with the topic of\r\nrecycling and brought together the various groups within the institution\r\nconcerned with the impacts that the Court produces externally.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:\r\n42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><a name=\"_Toc356390382\"><i><span\r\nstyle='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Forensic Environmental Unit of the\r\nDepartment of Forensic Sciences, Judicial Investigation Agency.</span></i></a></h3>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><span\r\nlang=ES-MX>The Forensic Environmental Unit </span>was created at the initiative of the\r\nLeadership of the Department of Forensic Sciences of the Judicial\r\nInvestigation Agency, in mid-2005. That year, the creation of a Chemist position was authorized, destined to address the topic of environmental crimes. That person is dedicated to carrying out a\r\nfeasibility study to evaluate the need to develop a laboratory of that\r\nnature, while considering the type of cases that should be addressed.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>The forensic\r\nenvironmental project began by offering consultancies and advice to judicial\r\nauthorities (mainly to the Public Ministry), that require collaboration\r\nregarding the way in which the evidence collected should be gathered to be\r\nsent for analysis.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>Starting in\r\nthe year 2007, environmental expert assessments (peritajes ambientales) began, mainly\r\nrelated to contamination by pesticides. In the year 2008, the\r\nexpert assessments were expanded and wastewater analysis and qualitative analysis of pesticides in bodies of water were\r\nincorporated; also maintaining collaboration with samplings and\r\nconsultancies. Furthermore, during this period, the study of methodologies for\r\nimplementation in subsequent years began, as well as the adaptation of the\r\nphysical space and the acquisition of some laboratory equipment.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>In the year\r\n2009, a biologist and a forensic laboratory technician were incorporated, leaving\r\n the laboratory constituted by three persons at present (1 chemist, 1\r\nbiologist, and 1 laboratory technician), and methodological development\r\nand the acquisition of instrumentation continued.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>It should be highlighted\r\nthat, at the Latin American level, no other equivalent structure is known in\r\nterms of forensic laboratories dedicated exclusively to addressing environmental\r\ncrime.</p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:\r\n42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><a name=\"_Toc342977123\"></a><a\r\nname=\"_Toc356390383\"></a><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Judicial\r\nSchool: training in environmental matters.</span></i></h3>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'> The\r\nJudicial School of the Supreme Court of Justice, within its multiple\r\nfunctions, has developed training courses in the environmental area in matters\r\nof environmental law aimed at officials from various areas\r\nthat have contributed to expanding knowledge in this legal branch and the\r\nconsequent awareness-raising of the judicial population.</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'>The courses\r\ntaught are:</p>\r\n\r\n<p class=prrafodelista style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt;line-height:\r\n150%'><span lang=ES-TRAD style='line-height:150%;font-family:Symbol;color:#006666'>·<span\r\nstyle='font:7.0pt \"Times New Roman\"'> \r\n</span></span><span lang=ES-TRAD style='line-height:150%;color:black'>Environmental Law Course (introductory) 2007</span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=prrafodelistacxspmiddle style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;\r\nmargin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt;\r\nline-height:150%'><span lang=ES-TRAD style='line-height:150%;font-family:Symbol;\r\ncolor:#006666'>·<span style='font:7.0pt \"Times New Roman\"'> \r\n</span></span><span lang=ES-TRAD style='line-height:150%;color:black'>Environmental Law Course (introductory) 2008</span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=prrafodelistacxspmiddle style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;\r\nmargin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt;\r\nline-height:150%'><span lang=ES-TRAD style='line-height:150%;font-family:Symbol;\r\ncolor:#006666'>·<span style='font:7.0pt \"Times New Roman\"'> \r\n</span></span><span lang=ES-TRAD style='line-height:150%;color:black'>Course “Environmental Law” in coordination with the USAID-CCAD Cooperation Agreement 2009</span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=prrafodelistacxsplast style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;\r\nmargin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt;\r\nline-height:150%'><span lang=ES-TRAD style='line-height:150%;font-family:Symbol;\r\ncolor:#006666'>·<span style='font:7.0pt \"Times New Roman\"'> \r\n</span></span><span lang=ES-TRAD style='line-height:150%;color:black'>Course “Training of Trainers in Environmental Law: Evaluation, Assessment, and Compensation for Environmental Damage” 2010.</span><span lang=ES-TRAD\r\nstyle='line-height:150%;color:#006666'> </span></p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:\r\n42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><a name=\"_Toc356390384\"><span\r\nstyle='font-size:10.0pt'>ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH</span></a></h2>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><span\r\nlang=ES-MX>The Judicial Branch is the state entity that by constitutional\r\nmandate exercises the Administration of Justice within the national\r\nterritory, and for that reason, it hears, resolves, and executes the judicial\r\nprocesses of the various jurisdictions that are brought to its attention. In the\r\nexercise of such function, it promotes the sustainable use of resources,\r\npreventing and reducing the environmental impacts generated by its activities\r\nand complying with current legislation.</span></p>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><span\r\nlang=ES-MX>To execute the environmental policy, programs are developed\r\nwith specific objectives for waste management, energy consumption,\r\nconsumption and potability of water resources, environmental training and\r\ncitizen participation, sustainable constructions, green and responsible\r\npurchasing, occupational health, emergency management, and conservation of\r\nnatural resources, thus promoting the adoption of good environmental management\r\npractices and continuous improvement in all its activities, fostering\r\nawareness-raising, training, and education in environmental management among all\r\nofficials</span></p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:\r\n42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><a name=\"_Toc342977109\"></a><a\r\nname=\"_Toc356390385\"></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>PROGRESS IN ENVIRONMENTAL\r\nIMPROVEMENT</span></h2>\r\n\r\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:\r\n0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><span\r\nlang=ES-MX>The initiative for the protection of natural resources and the\r\nimprovement of the environment has been present in the Institution through its\r\noperation.</span></p> This is the reason why actions and programs have emerged from various areas that positively affect the environmental performance of the administration of justice.
The existing actions that are considered fundamental for adequate environmental management of the judicial organization will be set out below.
Table No. 1 General data of the Institution and the Institutional Commission
| **Institution data** | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Institution** | Poder Judicial | |||
| **Website** | poder-judicial.go.cr | |||
| **Institutional email** | [email protected] | |||
| **Address of Central offices** | I Judicial Circuit: Central Canton of San José (Supreme Court of Justice Building –construction area: 16281 m2-, Judicial Investigation Agency Building –construction area: 28165 m2- and Courts of Justice Building – construction area: 24040 m2-) | |||
| **Post office box** | II Judicial Circuit: Courts Building located in the canton of Goicoechea (construction area: 23180 m2) | |||
| **Telephone of central offices** | 1-1003 San José | |||
| **Working hours** | 2295-3000 fax 2257-4498 | |||
| **Number of buildings** | Daytime courts and offices 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | |||
| **Number of workers** | Afternoon courts 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. | |||
| **Data of the Highest Authority** | I Judicial Circuit (San José) : 4149 officials | |||
| **Name** | Zarella Villanueva | |||
| **Email** | [email protected] | |||
| **Telephone** | Central 2295-3000 | |||
| **Fax** | - | |||
| **Post office box** | 2-1003 San José | |||
| **Institutional commission** | ||||
| **Data of the PGAI coordinator** | ||||
| **Name** | Dr. |
Oscar González Camacho **Email** [email protected] **Telephone** 2295-4996 **Fax** 2257-4498 **Post Office Box** 2-1003 San José **Representatives of the Institutional Commission**
| Name | Position | Department / Court |
|---|---|---|
| Óscar González Camacho | Magistrate | Sala Primera |
| Carmenmaría Escoto Fernández | Magistrate | Sala Primera |
| Julia Varela Araya | Magistrate | Sala Segunda |
| Alejandro López Mc Adams | Council Member | Consejo Superior |
| Ana Eugenia Romero Jenkins | Deputy Director | Dirección Ejecutiva |
| José Rubén Dimas Portillo | Chief | Departamento de Artes Gráficas |
| Lena White Curling | Chief | Contraloría de Servicios |
| Mauricio Quirós Chacón | Chief | Unidad de Salud Ocupacional |
| Orlando Castrillo Vargas | Deputy Chief | Dirección de Tecnología de Información |
| Walter Jiménez Sorio | Deputy Auditor | Departamento de Auditoría |
| Hellen Poveda Montoya | Chief | Proceso de Administración de Bienes |
| Malberth Chaves Sanabria | Coordinator | Unidad de Salud Ocupacional |
| Amanda Madrigal Valerín | Lawyer | Sala Primera |
| Daniel Aguilar Méndez | Judge | Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo |
| Francia León González | Training Manager | Escuela Judicial |
| Karla Arias Villalobos | Lawyer | Sala Primera |
| Mauricio Chacón Hernandez | Judicial Expert | Departamento de Ciencias Forenses |
| Patricia Bonilla Rodríguez | IT Professional | Dirección de Tecnología de la Información |
Institutional Environmental Compliance Affidavit (Declaración Jurada de Cumplimiento Ambiental Institucional, DJCAI) **The undersigned Zarela Villanueva, in my capacity as President of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Judiciary, commit to fulfilling the commitments made in this document "Institutional Environmental Management Program" (Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional) and with what is set forth in Executive Decree No. 36499-S-MINAET "Regulation for the Preparation of Institutional Environmental Management Programs in the Public Sector of Costa Rica" (Reglamento para la Elaboración de Programas de Gestión Ambiental Institucional en el Sector Público de Costa Rica).** **Air management (Climate Change)** Within a maximum period of 5 years, fuel and electricity consumption will be reduced by 5%, through the implementation of the corresponding environmental programs. Within a maximum period of 6 months, 100% of the current regulations will be met, through the environmental program for vehicle emissions control.
**Water Management** Within a maximum period of 6 months, regulations on wastewater will be met through the corresponding protocol. Within a maximum period of 2 years, water consumption will be reduced by 5%, through the application of the corresponding environmental program.
**Land and solid waste management** Within a maximum period of two years, a waste management program will be implemented that will allow the valorization of at least 20% of the waste currently generated, complying with the maximum possible solid waste regulations, through the corresponding protocol to prevent and correct environmental pollution. Within a maximum period of two years, the workforce will have been made aware of their obligation to separate waste for its subsequent final disposal.
**Energy management** Within a maximum period of 4 years, energy consumption will be reduced by at least 5%, through the energy efficiency environmental program.
**Paper management** Within a maximum period of 2 years, paper consumption will be reduced by 5%, with the application of the measures established in the respective programs.
**Natural and anthropogenic threats** Within a maximum period of one year, the maximum possible compliance with regulations regarding the development and implementation of the Occupational Health Plan and emergency programs will be achieved.
**Biotopes (flora and fauna)** Within a maximum period of 6 months, documentation of existing plans and programs will be available. Increase the number of specimens in the area, by using available spaces. Within a period of 2 years, activities of the justice with nature program will be carried out.
**Human** Within a maximum period of one year, environmental training and awareness courses will be designed.
Within a maximum period of six months, the mechanism for receiving complaints, suggestions, observations, etc., regarding the environmental management of the Poder Judicial shall have been communicated.
Within a maximum period of six months, the Environmental Policy shall have been disseminated at the Institutional level.
| **Occupational safety, health, and hygiene** | Within a maximum period of 3 years, the documentation of existing plans and programs shall be available. | | **Acquisition of goods (compras verdes)** | Within a period of 2 years, at least five compras verdes criteria shall be incorporated into bidding documents and direct contracting. | | **Signature of the highest-ranking official** | | | **Institutional seal** | | ** ** # Inventory of Organizations The Poder Judicial is represented throughout the national territory and comprises the following circuits:
1. I Judicial Circuit San José 2. II Judicial Circuit San José 3. I Judicial Circuit of the Zona Sur (Pérez Zeledón) 4. II Judicial Circuit of the Zona Sur (Corredores) 5. II Judicial Circuit of the Zona Sur (Golfito Office) 6. II Judicial Circuit of the Zona Sur (Osa Office) 7. I Judicial Circuit of Alajuela 8. II Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (San Carlos) 9. III Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (San Ramón) 10. III Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (Grecia Office) 11. Judicial Circuit of Heredia 12. Ciudad Judicial San Joaquín de Flores 13. Judicial Circuit of Cartago 14. Judicial Circuit of Cartago (Turrialba Office) 15. Judicial Circuit of Puntarenas 16. I Judicial Circuit of the Zona Atlántica (Limón) 17. II Judicial Circuit of the Zona Atlántica (Pococí) 18. I Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Liberia) 19. II Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Nicoya) 20. II Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Santa Cruz Office) Regarding infrastructure, there are privately owned buildings and, in some cases, it is necessary to rent because more space is required; there are approximately 60 privately owned buildings and 206 rented buildings.
The following table shows the number of buildings per Regional Area<span style='color:red'>:</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:red'> </span></p>
| Circuito Judicial | Edificios | Cantidad de Funcionarios | |
|---|---|---|---|
| **I Circuito Judicial de San José** | 12 | 49 | 4344 |
| **II Circuito Judicial de San José** | 2 | 1188 | |
| **I Circuito Judicial de Alajuela** | 4 | 1 | 538 |
| **II Circuito Judicial Alajuela (San Carlos)** | 3 | 8<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class=MsoFootnoteReference>[3]</span></a> | 336 |
| **III Circuito Judicial Alajuela (San Ramón)** | 1 | 3 | 218 |
| **III Circuito Judicial de Alajuela (Sede Grecia)** | 2 | 108 | |
| **Circuito Judicial de Cartago** | 1 | 18 | 489 |
| **Circuito Judicial de Cartago (Sede Turrialba)** | 2 | 128 | |
| **Circuito Judicial de Heredia** | 2 | 13 | 550 |
| **Ciudad Judicial San Joaquín de Flores** | 12 | 569 | |
| **Circuito Judicial de Puntarenas** | 1 | 19 | 528 |
| **I Circuito Judicial de Zona Sur (Pérez Zeledón<s>)</s>** | 2 | 2 | 320 |
| **II Circuito Judicial de Zona Sur (Corredores)** | 2 | 4<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class=MsoFootnoteReference>[4]</span></a> | 177 |
| **II Circuito Judicial de Zona Sur (Sede Golfito)** | 2 | 76 | |
| **II Circuito Judicial de Zona Sur (Sede Osa)** | 1 | 1 | 65 |
| **I Circuito Judicial Guanacaste (Liberia)** | 2 | 14 | 380 |
| **II Circuito Judicial Guanacaste (Nicoya)** | 1 | 5 | 167 |
| **II Circuito Judicial Guanacaste (Sede Santa Cruz)** | 2 | 213 | |
| **II Circuito Judicial Zona Atlántica (Pococí)** | 3 | 6 | 377 |
| **I Circuito Judicial Zona Atlántica (Limón)** | 3 | 2 | 462 |
| **TOTAL** | 60 | 145 | 11233 |
<p class=MsoNormal><b><br clear=all> </b></p> <h1 align=center style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:6.0pt; margin-left:0cm;text-align:center;line-height:150%'><a name="_Toc356390388"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'>Initial Environmental Assessment (Diagnóstico Ambiental Inicial)</span></a></h1> <p class=MsoNormal>Summary of the assessment</p>
| Aspecto Ambiental | Impacto Ambiental identificado | Significancia | Síntesis de la situación ambiental | Indicadores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Aguas residuales** | Contaminación del recurso hídrico. Pérdida del hábitat acuático. Generación de gases de efecto invernadero. | Medio | Las aguas residuales se generan a partir del uso diario de inodoros, duchas, lavatorios y sodas en los edificios. De acuerdo con las actividades de donde proceden se consideran de tipo ordinarias. Según estimaciones, en el Primer Circuito Judicial, ubicado en San José se generan 18 684,4 m3 al mes de aguas residuales (Edificio de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, Edificio del Organismo de Investigación Judicial y Edificio de los Tribunales de Justicia), mientras que en el edificio del Segundo Circuito Judicial, ubicado en Goicoechea, se generan 45 821,6 m3 al mes. El volumen de agua residual se obtiene mediante una estimación de consumo por número de personas, ya que no se llevan registros de volumen generado. Medidas de prevención: Se establecieron actividades de cumplimiento para funcionarios y funcionarias en general, estas incluyen: Prevenir la contaminación de fuentes de agua potable y pluvial. Mantenimiento de las trampas de grasa ubicadas en las pilas y fregaderos de los edificios. Diagnóstico de los desinfectantes y otras sustancias químicas, empleadas en limpieza y otras actividades, para evaluar la posibilidad de sustitución por otros menos contaminantes. Análisis de las aguas residuales generadas en los edificios. |
In the event of non-compliance with one or several parameters, the necessary corrective actions are taken so that the monitored values do not exceed the permissible limits.
Final disposal: The buildings have a sanitary sewer system where the wastewater is disposed of.
Annual reports of wastewater analysis.
**Potable water** Depletion of water resources High Potable water is supplied by the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados for the buildings of the first and second Judicial Circuits of San José. The main sources of use are toilets, showers, the cafeteria, and consumption by workers and users.
Currently, no record is kept of the volumes of water consumed; only expense data for consumption is available at the level of the entire Judicial Branch, therefore, specific consumption data per building and per worker is not available.
Among the pending tasks, it is established to begin recording the cubic meters consumed per building.
Saving measures have been implemented, such as: Campaigns to reduce consumption, such as turning off the tap when brushing teeth, washing hands, and washing dishes. Procedures to identify and repair leaks. Avoiding practices that use large volumes of water, mainly in cleaning. Performing maintenance of the supply system and verification of water quality. Carrying out awareness programs using signage and information systems on saving measures and goals for employees and visitors to the site.
Cubic meters consumed monthly per building.
Record of the preventive and corrective maintenance program.
Compliance with the parameters established for water potability.
Record of the awareness courses and activities given.
**Greenhouse gas emissions (from mobile and/or stationary sources)** Air pollution, acid rain, generation of greenhouse gases.
Decrease in the ozone layer.
Low Air emissions come from the vehicle fleet of the Judicial Branch.
They are a product of the fossil fuels used and are composed of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide, which cause acid rain and are the gases responsible for the greenhouse effect.
Prevention measures: Procedures were established for the preventive maintenance of the units, such as vehicle technical inspection. Programs are being developed for the reduction and mitigation of greenhouse gases, as well as energy management programs. The collection of information on energy consumption will begin in order to keep reports, reviews, and controls.
Estimation of CO2 emissions from electricity consumption.
Estimation of CO2 emissions from fuel consumption.
**Consumption of Fossil Fuels** Consumption of non-renewable resources.
Air pollution, generation of greenhouse gases.
Low Fossil fuels are used only for the vehicle fleet of the buildings of the first and second Judicial Circuits of San José. Diesel and gasoline are currently used.
Saving measures: Measures were established for the preventive maintenance of the vehicle fleet. A fuel-saving measures plan was created to be implemented in a short-term period.
Total fuel consumption per building. (liters of fuel consumed per month) **Energy consumption** Destruction of forests (dams).
Atmospheric pollution from the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation.
High Electric power is supplied by the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz for the buildings of the first and second Judicial Circuits of San José. The practices related to energy consumption are mainly the use of computers, printers, photocopiers, lighting, refrigeration, and air conditioning.
Among the measures established for energy saving are: Awareness programs were carried out for the optimization of the use of lighting, air conditioning, and other electrical appliances and electronic devices. Cleaning programs are carried out for lighting systems. Computers, printers, and other electronic equipment were configured in energy-saving mode.
Total electricity consumption per building per month.
**Paper consumption** Decrease of the resource, incentivizing excessive tree felling and loss of habitat.
Medium Paper is one of the most used resources within the institution; its consumption takes place in various administrative activities, offices, among others.
In the last semester of 2011, a total of 7369 reams were delivered in the First Judicial Circuit of San José, while 2400 reams were delivered in the Second Judicial Circuit.
Consumption saving measures: In terms of prevention, measures are established to avoid unnecessary printing, maximizing the use of technology to replace paper, such as the use of email and the intranet for internal communications. Excessive printing of promotional materials was reduced. To reduce paper use, more efficient printing measures were established, such as using both sides of the paper, using recycled paper, and using paper printed on one side as drafts. Control of the amount of paper supplied to the buildings continues. In 2010, the Judicial Branch's zero paper program began. With the objective of significantly reducing consumption, this program promotes the substitution of paper through the application of technological resources, in addition to establishing good practices for the rational use of paper.
Monthly paper consumption per office: Reams of paper consumed per month.
**Generation of solid waste (ordinary, hazardous, and special handling)** Soil or water contamination Generation of greenhouse gases.
Decrease of the resource and loss of habitat.
High The waste generated in the buildings of the first and second Judicial Circuit of San José is classified as ordinary and special handling; it comes from the daily activities carried out in the buildings.
The ordinary waste generated is paper and cardboard, plastic containers and briks, aluminum cans, glass, and other ordinary solid waste that is not classified and is delivered to a manager for final disposal.
The special handling waste consists of cartridges and toner, fluorescent lights, batteries, and electronics.
Data on the quantity of solid waste separated per month is not taken periodically, so only scattered data is available on materials delivered in certain months of the last year. These materials were plastic, cardboard, toner, batteries, and paper.
Final disposal: Separation systems for ordinary waste were established, and its collection is managed with authorized entities. In addition, better controls of the quantities generated for recycling are being incorporated. The placement of identified containers for the proper segregation of waste is in process.
-Monthly quantity of waste collected separately per building according to category (glass, paper, cardboard…)
-Quantity of electronic waste delivered to authorized managers per year.
-Quantity of toner, fluorescent lights, batteries delivered to authorized managers per year.
-Number of areas in the buildings that have waste separation points.
-Number of training sessions held annually.
**Green purchasing** Low The purchasing and acquisition processes for goods and services were evaluated.
The environmental policy was communicated to the workers in charge of preparing tender documents, contracting, and direct purchases, and training was given on the inclusion of environmental performance criteria in contracting.
- Percentage of officials of the Procurement Department to whom the environmental policy was communicated.
-Number of suppliers and participants in the processes of acquiring goods and services who have received communication of the environmental policy.
-Percentage of officials who would have received training on the subject of purchasing processes and services with environmental performance criteria.
-Percentage of purchases of goods and services under any modality, in which environmental performance criteria were evaluated.
**Urban and natural landscape** Environmental impact from poor landscape management Low The "Justice with Nature" Program was established and is being followed up on. This consists of a conservation and ornamentation plan for the La Soledad property, which belongs to the Judicial Branch, and for other judicial circuits in the country.
Number of program activities carried out per year **Citizen participation** Damage to the human and archaeological environment Low Communication spaces were established for consultations, complaints, or suggestions about environmental management.
The institution's environmental policy and environmental management plan were announced in a visible and permanent manner.
Number of officials trained per year.
**Occupational health and safety** Human resources Low The Institutional Occupational Health Plan must be finalized, according to the pertinent legal standards.
Documentation of the Occupational health and safety programs.
**Natural Disasters** Environmental damage due to inadequate disaster prevention Low Together with the Occupational Health Offices, prevention, preparation, and evacuation plans were carried out in case of an emergency or a possible disaster.
</td> </tr> <tr style='height:16.95pt'> <td width=111 valign=top style='width:83.55pt;border:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; border-right:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:16.95pt'> <p class=MsoNormal><b>Environmental legislation (Legislación ambiental)</b></p> </td> <td width=138 valign=top style='width:103.25pt;border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none; padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:16.95pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> </p> </td> <td width=113 valign=top style='width:84.85pt;border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none; padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:16.95pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> </p> </td> <td width=419 valign=top style='width:314.05pt;border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none; padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:16.95pt'> <p class=MsoNormal>A review was conducted to establish the legal framework that the Judicial Branch (Poder Judicial) had to comply with in environmental matters.</p> <p class=MsoNormal>The guidelines of current legislation were incorporated into the institutional environmental management plan along with the necessary environmental measures for compliance with the legislation.</p> <p class=MsoNormal>Semi-annual reviews are conducted to identify new environmental legislation and thus integrate it into the environmental management plan.<b> </b></p> </td> <td width=156 valign=top style='width:117.3pt;border:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; border-left:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:16.95pt'> <p class=standard><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal'>Semi-annual record of legislative review and updating.</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='background:yellow'> </span></p> </td> </tr> </table> <span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><br clear=all style='page-break-before:always'> </span> <p class=MsoNormal> </p> <h1 style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:150%'><a name="_Toc356390389"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'>Scope of the PGAI (Alcance del PGAI)</span></a></h1> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'>This Program aims to cover the I and II Judicial Circuit (I y II Circuito Judicial) in 2013, to integrate the Judicial City (Ciudad Judicial) of San Joaquín de Flores in 2014, and to initiate regional efforts.</p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'>In the medium term, the Plan aims to cover all 162 buildings (55 owned and 107 rented), raising awareness among the judicial officials, who according to Budget Law No. 9103, Fiscal Year 2013, Ordinary and Extraordinary Budget of the Republic for the 2013 Fiscal Year<a href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class=MsoFootnoteReference>[5]</span></a>, the Judicial Branch (Poder Judicial) has 11,233 employees (10,793 ordinary positions and 440 extraordinary positions).<span style='color:red'> </span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='color:black'>According to an analysis conducted by the Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales), a questionnaire was sent to each regional administration and variables relating to the environmental impact of each administration were analyzed. T</span><span lang=ES-CR>he questionnaire consisted of 18 questions, which are divided into General Data, Wastewater (Aguas Residuales), Drinking Water (Agua de consumo), Fuel (Combustible), Energy (Energía), Human Resources (Recurso Humano), among others. The score obtained was related to the number of officials, buildings, and the existence of any environmental subcommittee, in order to understand the ease of implementing the PGAI in each of the Regional Offices. Based on this, it is recommended to begin implementation in Grecia, Turrialba, and Santa Cruz. Then proceed with Osa, Golfito, Nicoya, Corredores, San Carlos, and San Ramón, which, except for San Carlos, have a negative environmental impact tending toward high, so it is necessary to take measures in this regard.</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span lang=ES-CR>In an intermediate stage, the Regional Offices of Pérez Zeledón, Alajuela, Limón, Pococí, and Puntarenas can be integrated, finishing with Cartago. The process would look as follows<span style='color:red'>:</span></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:12.0pt'><span lang=ES-CR><img border=0 width=626 height=392 id="Diagrama_x005f_x0020_2" src="data:image/gif;base64,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"></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:12.0pt'><span lang=ES-CR> </span></p> <h1 style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:150%'><a name="_Toc356390390"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'>Specific assessments (Diagnósticos específicos): Energy Efficiency Assessment (Diagnóstico en Eficiencia Energética) and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (Inventario de Emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero)</span></a></h1> <h1 style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:150%'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'> </span></h1> <h2 style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%'><a name="_Toc356390391"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: Symbol;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal'><img width=11 height=11 src=PicExportError alt="*"><span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%'>Energy Efficiency Assessment (Diagnóstico en Eficiencia Energética)</span></a></h2> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span lang=ES-CR>The completion of the assessment for the I and II Judicial Circuit (I y II Circuito Judicial) in San José is being coordinated with the CNFL, and it is intended to start in 2013, in order to take relevant actions during 2014 and 2015. Subsequently, coordination will be made to assess the situation of other Regional Areas (Áreas Regionales).</span></p> <h2 style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:115%'><a name="_Toc356390392"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%'>Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (Inventario de Emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero)</span></a></h2> <h3 style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><a name="_Toc343001751"></a><a name="_Toc356390393"></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Definition of responsible party and scope of the inventory</span></h3> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span lang=ES-CR> The Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales) is responsible for conducting the emissions inventory; these will be conducted in the I and II Judicial Circuits annually. The first inventory is conducted in 2013, taking into account the records from 2012.</span></p> <h2 style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><a name="_Toc343001752"></a><a name="_Toc356390394"></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Emission Identification (Identificación de Emisiones)</span></h2> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span lang=ES-CR>They are classified as direct and indirect; fugitive emissions will not be calculated.</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span lang=ES-CR>Direct Emissions (Emisiones directas): </span></p> <p class=prrafodelista style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height: 150%'><span lang=ES-CR style='line-height:150%;font-family:Symbol'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><b><span lang=ES-CR style='line-height:150%'>Judicial Branch vehicle fleet (Flota vehicular del poder judicial):</span></b><span lang=ES-CR style='line-height:150%'> It is known that the transport sector is the main party responsible for the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GEI) into the atmosphere due to its massive consumption of hydrocarbons; it is essential to analyze institutional consumption and what it represents in terms of atmospheric emissions.</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:12.0pt'>Table. Annual Diesel and Gasoline Consumption from mobile sources for the I Circuit (Circuito I)</p> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=613 style='width:459.75pt;margin-left:2.65pt;border-collapse:collapse'> <tr style='height:45.0pt'> <td rowspan=2 valign=top style='border:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none; background:#9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:45.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'> </span></p> </td> <td rowspan=2 valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;background:#9BBB59; padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:45.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>Total Liters (l)</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border:none;border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;background: #9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:45.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>Carbon dioxide (Dióxido de carbono)</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border:none;border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;background: #9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:45.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>Methane (Metano)</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border:none;border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;background: #9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:45.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>Methane (Metano)</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border:none;border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;background: #9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:45.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>Nitrous oxide (Óxido nitroso)</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border:none;border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;background: #9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:45.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>Nitrous oxide (Óxido nitroso)</span></b></p> </td> <td rowspan=2 valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;background:#9BBB59; padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:45.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>Kg of CO2 equivalent (kg CO2e)</span></b></p> </td> <td rowspan=2 valign=top style='border:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; background:#9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:45.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>Tonnes of CO2 equivalent (ton CO2)</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='height:16.0pt'> <td valign=top style='background:#9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>(kg CO2)</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='background:#9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>(g CH4)</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='background:#9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>(kg CH4)</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='background:#9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>(g N2O)</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='background:#9BBB59;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>(kg N2O)</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='height:16.0pt'> <td valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>Diesel</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border:none;border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>176303,09</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>474255,31</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>24964,52</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>24,96</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>24964,52</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>24,96</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border:none;border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>482518,57</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; border-right:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>482,52</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='height:16.0pt'> <td valign=top style='border:none;border-left:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;padding: 0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>Gasoline (Gasolina)</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>426651,23</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>964231,78</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>459503,37</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>459,5</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>44585,05</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>44,59</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>987702,72</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border:none;border-right:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>987,7</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='height:16.0pt'> <td valign=top style='border:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none; padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt;height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>Total</span></b></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>602954,32</span></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>1438487,09</span></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>484467,89</span></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>484,46</span></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>69549,57</span></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>69,55</span></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>1470221,29</span></p> </td> <td valign=top style='border-top:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid #9BBB59 1.0pt;border-right:none;padding:0cm 3.5pt 0cm 3.5pt; height:16.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span lang=ES-CR style='color:black'>1470,22</span></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p class=MsoNormal> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'>Table.
Annual consumption of Diesel and gasoline from mobile sources, Circuit II
| Litros totales (l) | Dióxido de carbono | Metano | Metano | Óxido nitroso | Óxido nitroso | Kg de CO2 equivalente (kg CO2e) | Toneladas de CO2 equivalente (t CO2e) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (kg CO2) | (g CH4) | (kg CH4) | (g N2O) | (kg N2O) | ||||
| Diesel | 3.143,33 | 8455,5577 | 445,1 | 0,45 | 445,1 | 0,45 | 8602,88 | 8,6 |
| Gasolina | 5464,14 | 12348,96 | 5884,88 | 5,88 | 571 | 0,57 | 12649,55 | 12,65 |
| Total | 8.607,47 | 20.804,52 | 6.329,98 | 6,33 | 1.016,10 | 1,02 | 21.252,43 | 21,25 |
Figure. Fuel consumption, regarding diesel, 2012, Judicial Circuits I and II, in liters.
Source. Own elaboration, 2013.
· **Emergency electricity generation plants:** Judicial Circuit I has 4 generating plants, which run on Diesel; their fuel consumption varies according to the national-level power outages that occur, although there is a base consumption, which is for maintenance, since these plants are turned on once a month for one hour to ensure their functionality. The 2012 Diesel consumption reported by the procurement department was used for the emissions calculation; the results are shown below.
Table. Calculation of GHG emissions for Judicial Circuit I.
| Diesel (Comercial / institucional) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Litros totales (l) | Dióxido de carbono (kg CO2) | Metano (kg CH4) | Óxido nitroso (kg N2O) | Kilogramos de dióxido de carbono equivalente (kg CO2e) | Toneladas de dióxido de carbono equivalente (t CO2e) |
| 3.788 | 10189,72 | 1,38 | 0,08 | 10244,17 | 10,24 |
Source. Own elaboration with data from the procurement department and DIGECA, 2013.
**Indirect emissions:** · **Electricity:** According to reports from ICE, by the end of 2009, 95.9% of electricity generation came from renewable sources, while 4.1% came from fossil fuels. Utilization by source is 84% hydroelectric, 8% geothermal, 5% wind, and 3% biomass. (ICE, 2012).
According to the data provided by the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz, based on the electrical consumption of the buildings of the I and II Circuito Judicial de San José for the year 2012, the following data are obtained,
| # | Edificio/ Dependencia | Consumo de Energía (kWh/mes) | Demanda máxima (kW) | Importe (¢/mes) | Área fisica (m2) | Indicadores | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumo de energía eléctrica por área física por mes (kWh/m2/mes) | Kilogramos de dióxido de carbono equivalente por mes (kg CO2e/mes) | ||||||
| **1** | Corte Suprema de Justicia | 71,63 | 136,76 | ₡7.331.723 | 16281 | 0,00 | 4,01 |
| **2** | OIJ Anexo A, B y C | 198,69 | 448,20 | ₡20.904.555 | 31373 | 0,01 | 11,13 |
| **3** | Tribunales de Justicia I Circuito | 92,95 | 232,94 | ₡9.136.667 | 24040 | 0,00 | 5,21 |
| **4** | Anexo D | 3,76 | ₡347.560 | 1428 | 0,00 | 0,21 | |
| **5** | Tribunales de Justicia II Circuito Goicochea | 112,95 | 273,28 | ₡10.522.118 | 23180 | 0,00 | 6,33 |
| **6** | Tribunales II Circuito edificio Motorola | 28,43 | 130,55 | ₡2.846.629 | 4900 | 0,01 | 1,59 |
| **TOTAL** | **508,43** | **448,20** | **₡51.089.253** | **101201,49** | **-** | **28,47** |
Fuente: Elaboración propia con datos de CNFyL y DIGECA, 2013.
· **Air Conditioners:** These are considered among the gas emitters since they use refrigerant gases, which are known to be major pollutants. It has 5 12000 BTU Air Conditioners 3 14000 BTU Air Conditioners 1 15000 BTU Air Conditioner 6 18000 BTU Air Conditioners 2 24000 BTU Air Conditioners 1 36000 BTU Air Conditioner 1 48000 BTU Air Conditioner 20 Window-Type Air Conditioners · **Others** While it is true that solid waste, purchases of supplies, and the generation of wastewater contribute Greenhouse Gas (Gases Efecto Invernadero) emissions to the atmosphere, they will not be considered within the calculation.
However, it is worth mentioning that there is a recycling program that allows for the reduction of emissions for this concept, green purchasing that collaborates in the reduction of emissions, and regarding the Wastewater (sewage and soapy) from circuit I and II, it is disposed of into the San José sanitary sewer system, so it is not possible to generate conclusive data.
Gases evaluated · Carbon dioxide (CO2) · Methane (CH4) · Nitrous Oxide (N2O) · Halocarbons (HFC): From the use of air conditioning and refrigerator systems.
GENERAL EMISSIONS CALCULATION Table.
Greenhouse gas emissions 2012 for I and II San José Judicial Circuit.</span></p>
| Emissions | kg CO2e | kg CO2 | kg CH4 | kg N2O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation | 1.491.417,72 | 1459291,61 | 490,79 | 70,57 |
| Electricity | **341,66** | - | - | - |
| Emergency plants | 10244,17 | 10189,72 | 1,38 | 0,08 |
| Total | 1.502.003,55 | 1469481,33 | 492,17 | 70,65 |
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=ES-CR>Source: Own elaboration with data from procurement, CNFL and DIGECA formulas, 2013.</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><span lang=ES-CR> </span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><span lang=ES-CR>Work is currently underway on calculating gas emissions from the use of air conditioners; as it is in process, it is not presented in this document.</span></p> <h2 style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt;line-height:150%'><a name="_Toc347213350"></a><a name="_Toc356390397"></a><span lang=ES-MX style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-weight:normal'>Within the pending tasks for environmental improvement in the Institutional Plan, the following is established:</span></h2> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><span style='color:red'> </span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt;line-height: 150%'><span style='line-height:150%;font-family:Symbol'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><span style='line-height:150%'>Development of an Institutional program for the mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions.</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:42.55pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:42.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:35.45pt'><span lang=ES-MX>For this first implementation stage, protocols have been established for vehicle emissions control, as well as the establishment of documentation for the Justice in Nature program and an energy efficiency program. The objective is set to consolidate these institutional efforts into a carbon footprint mitigation program, which for the moment is established as a pending task. Despite having some progress in this matter, it is considered pending to work, by 2013 at the latest, on having the emissions calculation for the I and II Judicial Circuit and, if possible, integrating data collection efforts into the regional areas in that same year.</span></p> <span lang=ES-MX style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'><br clear=all style='page-break-before:always'> </span> <h1 align=center style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:6.0pt; margin-left:0cm;text-align:center;line-height:150%'><a name="_Toc356390398"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Arial'>Action Plan</span></a></h1> <p class=MsoNormal> </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Table. Matrix</p>
| Theme | Environmental aspect | Priority | Objectives | Environmental goals | Estimated deadline for compliance | Indicators | Environmental measures | Budget | Responsible parties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water management | Wastewater | Medium | Comply with legislation on wastewater discharge | Comply with all parameters established in the legislation on wastewater discharge and reuse. | December 2012 | Maximum limits established for universal parameters of wastewater discharged into the sanitary sewer system | Environmental program for wastewater | Budget depends on what is allocated in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission / Regional Administrations |
| Drinking water | High | Reduce water consumption | Decrease in water consumption by 5% | December 2012 | Cubic meters consumed monthly per building. Record of the preventive and corrective maintenance program. Compliance with the parameters established for water potability. Record of the courses and awareness activities given. | Environmental program for water consumption | Budget depends on what is allocated in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission | |
| Air management | Greenhouse gas emissions. | Low | Decrease greenhouse gas emissions | Decrease fuel consumption by 5%. Decrease electricity consumption by 5%. | December 2013 | Total fuel consumption (liters of fuel consumed per month) | Environmental program for Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Budget depends on what is allocated in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission/Transport Department. |
| Fossil Fuel Consumption | Low | Reduce fossil fuel consumption | Decrease fuel consumption by 5% | December 2014 | Total fuel consumption (liters of fuel consumed per month) | Environmental program for fossil fuel consumption. | Budget depends on what is allocated in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission/Transport Department. | |
| Energy management | Energy consumption | High | Reduce electricity consumption | Decrease electricity consumption by 5% | December 2013 | Total electricity consumption per building per month. | Environmental program for energy efficiency. | Budget depends on what is allocated in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission. |
| Paper management | Paper consumption | Medium | Reduce paper consumption | Decrease paper consumption by 5% | December 2013 | Reams of paper consumed per month. | Environmental program for paper consumption. | Budget depends on what is allocated in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission. |
| Solid and liquid waste management. | Generation of solid waste (ordinary, hazardous, and special management) | High | Valorize generated solid waste. | Valorization of at least 20% of the ordinary waste generated. | December 2014 | Percentage of waste valorized per year. | Environmental program for solid waste. Environmental program for special waste. | Budget depends on what is allocated in the ordinary budget. | Environmental Affairs Commission. |
| Incorporate separation systems for ordinary and special solid waste. | Install systems to separate solid waste in all buildings within the scope. | Kilograms of separated waste per month per building. Quantity of electronic waste delivered to authorized managers per year. Quantity of toner, fluorescent bulbs, batteries delivered to authorized managers per year. Number of areas in the buildings that have waste separation points. | |||||||
| Raise awareness among officials about adequate solid waste management. |
| Environmental Management | Green Purchasing | Low | Include environmental performance criteria in the procurement processes for goods and services. | Incorporate five green purchasing criteria into the bidding documents (carteles de licitación) and direct contracting processes. | December 2014 | Percentage of officials in the Procurement Department who were informed of the environmental policy. <p class=MsoNormal> </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Number of suppliers and participants in the processes for the acquisition of goods and services who have received notification of the environmental policy.</p> <p class=MsoNormal> </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Percentage of officials who have received training on the subject of procurement processes for goods and services with environmental performance criteria.</p> <p class=MsoNormal>Percentage of purchases of goods and services under any modality in which environmental performance criteria were evaluated.</p> <p class=MsoNormal> </p> | Green Purchasing Environmental Program | No economic investment required. | Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales)/Procurement Department/General Services | | Biotype and Ecosystems | Urban and Natural Landscape | Low | Follow up on the justice with nature programs. | Carry out activities established in the justice with nature program. | December 2014 | Number of program activities carried out per year. | Justice with Nature Program (Programa de Justicia con la naturaleza). | No economic investment required. | Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales) | | Human | Citizen Participation | Low | Conduct training and awareness courses. | Train all officials on environmental issues. | December 2014 | Number of officials trained per year. | Environmental Citizen Participation Program | Requires minimal investment. | Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales) / Information Technology Department / Services Comptroller's Office | | | | | Communicate the complaint disclosure mechanism. | Communicate the complaint disclosure mechanism to all officials. | | | | | | | | | | Disseminate the institution's environmental policy. | Disseminate the environmental policy to all officials. | | | | | | | Human | Occupational Safety, Health, and Hygiene | Low | Document occupational health plans. | Have all Occupational Safety, Health, and Hygiene plans and programs documented. | December 2015 | Documentation of the Occupational Safety, Health, and Hygiene programs. | Carry out the safety, health, and occupational hygiene procedures jointly with the Occupational Health office. | Ordinary budget. Minimal investment. | Occupational Health Office / Human Management Department | | Threats/Natural and Anthropic Risks | Natural Disasters | Low | Environmental program for the prevention and response to natural disasters. | Comply with all standards established in the regulations regarding disaster prevention. | December 2012 | Emergency response program developed. | Environmental Program for Natural Threats (Programa ambiental de amenazas naturales). | No economic investment required, only human resources. | Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales) | | | | | | | | Documentation of communication channels with the neighbors of the buildings. | | | | | Environmental Management | Environmental Legislation | medium | Continue the program for the review and updating of environmental legislation. | Update all environmental legislation. | December 2012 | Semi-annual record of the review and updating of legislation. <p class=MsoNormal> </p> | Environmental Program for Environmental Legislation (Programa ambiental de legislación ambiental) | No economic investment required, only human resources. | Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales) | It is determined that the priority programs to be implemented, due to their economic, temporal, and environmental impact priority, are in the areas of water for human consumption, energy consumption, waste generation, followed by the programs defined as medium priority, which are wastewater, paper consumption, and environmental legislation. The variables of greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption are determined to be low priority, as well as the programs for green purchasing, urban and natural landscape, citizen participation, occupational safety, health, and hygiene, and the Natural Disasters variable.
To achieve the objectives outlined in the Environmental Management Program (Programa de Gestión Ambiental), nine independent environmental programs have been generated, which together constitute the various lines of action for addressing the environmental impacts that the Judicial Branch (Poder Judicial) generates as a result of its daily activities.
The environmental programs considered are as follows:
| Acronyms (*) | Program Name |
|---|---|
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-001** | Environmental program for wastewater |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-002** | Environmental program for consumable water |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-003** | Environmental program for vehicle fleet control |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-004** | Environmental program for the prevention and response to natural disasters |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-005** | Environmental program for energy efficiency |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-006** | Environmental program for ordinary solid waste management |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-007** | Environmental program for special waste management |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-008** | Environmental program for the acquisition of environmentally friendly goods and services |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-009** | Environmental program for paper consumption |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-010** | Environmental program for the review and updating of current environmental legislation |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-011** | Environmental program for citizen participation and training |
(*): The acronyms correspond to: P= Protocol (Protocolo), CAA= Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales), PGA= Environmental Management Plan (Plan de Gestión Ambiental), PAE= Specific Environmental Protocol (Protocolo Ambiental Específico).
The detail of the programs carried out is presented in Annex X.
# Pending Tasks for Environmental Improvement ### Creation of a unit responsible for the institution's environmental management with suitable personnel.
Once the institutional PGA has been developed and launched, it is essential to consolidate an entity responsible for the system's operability.
Currently, this work has been carried out by the Environmental Affairs Commission (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales), which is composed of officials who, on a part-time basis, are dedicated to attending to these matters. However, to guarantee success and continuous improvement, the need for a formally constituted office with suitable staff and knowledge of the subject is evident, one that works in a coordinated manner with areas directly related to its operations, such as the Planning Department (Departamento de Planificación), the Information Technology Department (Departamento de Tecnología de Información), the Occupational Health Office (Oficina de Salud Ocupacional) of the Human Management Department (Departamento de Gestión Humana), among others.
### Progressive Implementation of the Environmental Management Plan (Plan de Gestión Ambiental) in other Judicial Circuits Due to the number of buildings and organizations within the Judicial Branch (Poder Judicial), the implementation of an Institutional Environmental Management Plan (Plan de Gestión Ambiental Institucional) is a process that must be carried out progressively. Currently, the Institution has a total of fourteen Judicial Circuits, in addition to units of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público), Public Defense (Defensa Pública), and offices, delegations, and sub-delegations of the Judicial Investigation Agency (Organismo de Investigación Judicial).
The intention is then to gradually incorporate the different offices until encompassing all of the facilities that the Institution has at the national level.
### Elaboration of Energy Audits of the Buildings One of the most significant environmental impacts caused by the Institution is the high consumption of energy.
In an effort to diagnose the most sensitive areas, the collaboration of the National Power and Light Company (Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz) was requested to carry out energy audits that allow for the identification of critical areas and establish actions to optimize the resource.
### Elaboration of the Occupational Health Plan (Plan de Salud Ocupacional) according to pertinent legal norms As part of the implementation of the Environmental Management Plan, the Occupational Health Office must finalize the elaboration of the Institutional Occupational Health Plan, according to the pertinent legal norms.
According to those in charge of Occupational Health, due to the workload that said area maintains, its completion does not seem possible within a period of less than two years, so it is established as a pending task.
### Elaboration of an Institutional Carbon Dioxide Emission Mitigation Program For this first stage of implementation, protocols have been established for vehicle emission control, as well as the establishment of documentation for the Justice in Nature (Justicia en la Naturaleza) program and an energy efficiency program.
The objective is to consolidate these institutional efforts into a carbon footprint mitigation program, which for the moment is established as a pending task.
Annexes Qualification of environmental aspects
| Environmental aspect | Qualification obtained |
|---|---|
| Emissions from stationary sources | NA |
| Emissions from mobile sources | 71% |
| Generation of noise and vibrations by anthropic activities | NA |
| Emissions of ionizing radiation | NA |
| Emissions of odors | NA |
| Water consumption | 58% |
| Generation of wastewater | 67% |
| Generation of ordinary solid waste | 92% |
| Paper consumption | 100% |
| Generation of electronic waste | 40% |
| Generation of hazardous solid waste | 88% |
| Generation of infectious-contagious waste | NA |
| Use of hazardous substances | NA |
| Management of products derived from hydrocarbons | NA |
| Use of pesticides | NA |
| Use of radioactive substances | NA |
| Consumption of fossil fuels | 29% |
| Consumption of electric energy | 62% |
| Safety and management of natural disasters | 80% |
Prepared by: Yazmín Carranza Barrantes, 2012.
NA = Not applicable.
### Environmental Programs of the Judicial Branch ### Programs ### Justice for Nature Program (Programa Justicia para la Naturaleza). [6] The program seeks to develop, jointly with the National Power and Light Company and the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía), a conservation and ornamentation plan on the Finca La Soledad of the Judicial Branch and other judicial circuits of the country, within a concept of sustainable development and as a contribution to Costa Rican society.
The property, with a total area of 35 hectares, allocates 8 hectares to the project (areas where construction is not feasible, such as the banks of the Río Porrosatí, Río Sajón, Río Segundo, and the Las Flores stream (quebrada Las Flores), on the margins of water sources and springs (nacientes), as well as all those areas that due to their slope imply high costs if construction were to be attempted, sensitive areas for replanting such as the edges of the boulevard and surroundings of the buildings). Additionally, it considers 12570 m² of potential areas in the different judicial circuits.
A planting area per hectare of 816 trees was set, at a distance of 3.5 x 3.5; this means that in the 8 hectares (within which the sensitive replanting areas are included, such as the edges of the boulevard and surroundings of the buildings), approximately 7,000 units of trees and shrubs are required.
*Principal native species of the zone or those that are in danger of extinction and can adapt to the area:* Roble Sabana, Corteza Amarilla Jacaranda Cristóbal (Danger of extinction) Níspero Caoba (Danger of extinction) Ron Ron (Danger of extinction) Ojoche (Danger of extinction) Chirraca (Danger of extinction) Ceiba Pochote *Project Stages* **Stage I:** Reforestation of areas with species from the region, additionally, experts in the field assess the planting of species in danger of extinction that can adapt to the area, as well as construction of basic infrastructure (trails, trash cans, location signs for species and for visitors).
**Stage II:** Construction of basic infrastructure for picnics and other activities (ranches, tables, sanitary services, bridge, and viewpoints).
**Stage III:** Construction of a butterfly garden, sports complex, open-air amphitheater, lakes **Stage IV:** Reforestation of potential areas in the other judicial circuits.
*Project beneficiaries:* Direct: 375 current servants of the Judicial City of San Joaquín de Flores and other employees of the Judicial Branch who in their free time will have access to a place of recreation for their families and all the implicit benefits of a project of this nature.
**Indirect:** Schools, high schools in the area which, in a controlled manner, will be able to access the project, which would contribute to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility in students through common activities and projects.
In the long term, community access to the facilities will be opened gradually and in a controlled manner so that they visit the place and help in the conservation and protection of the resources of Finca la Soledad.
In general terms, grassroots organizations, surrounding communities, companies in the area, and Costa Rican society would also indirectly benefit, considering that this project is a contribution to the conservation of the environment, which leads to the protection of biodiversity for the conservation of ecosystems, life forms, and fosters a culture of responsibility toward environmental conservation.
### Zero Paper Program (Programa Cero Papel).
It aims to guarantee an agile justice system that dispenses with the use of paper, maximizing the use of technological resources and the application of good practices, which contribute to the improvement of the service, reducing the use of the paper resource and photocopies in the offices.
The Commission in charge of the program's implementation began its functions in March 2010 and is made up of four representatives from each of the various sectors of the Judicial Branch.
As General Coordinator, Doctora Lupita Chávez Cervantes, a member of the Consejo Superior, serves.
The commitments of this Commission are the following:[7] * Assume leadership and development of policies and strategies to promote the paperless transition of the justice system. * Promote the use of technology, orality, among others. * Reduce costs for the justice system and collaborate with the environment. * That the uprooting of paper be the means to strengthen the right of users, so that processes receive agile, flexible processing without diminishing the quality of decisions.
### *Emergency Plans: Evacuation Plan prepared by Salud Ocupacional.* Evacuation plans for earthquake risk have been prepared for the institution's buildings.
### *Initiatives and campaigns.* ### *Electronic Courts.* This initiative has been developed from the Office Management component of the Corte-Inter-American Development Bank Program, which prepared a redesign of processes in Labor, Criminal, and Constitutional matters. Currently, as a pilot plan, it is being developed in three judicial offices in the country, with the objective of streamlining their processing, promoting online litigation, the application of orality through a hearing-based process, and the implementation of paperless offices.
It seeks speediness and service improvement, as the purpose that will guide three pilot offices that will begin in October: the Criminal Court of the II Judicial Circuit of San José (Goicoechea Venue), the Labor Court of Cartago, and the Constitutional Chamber. These offices took on this program that optimizes the use of technological resources and achieves an improvement in the justice administration service. Its practical effect is the handling of the process from a virtual desktop, the execution of notifications by non-traditional means, and the receipt of case files virtually from the Courts of Appeals. Likewise, litigants and users could file their claims via email, through the online management system, which only requires the parties to appear at the office and request their access key, and from there, any procedure or consultation of the case is done over the Internet, or persons can appear at the office and the claim document is scanned.[8] This Initiative positively impacts the efficient use of paper resources and transcends the judicial sphere, because the effect also occurs at the level of litigants and large users, who will likewise, from their operations centers, reduce the consumption of paper and other associated supplies.
### *Actions to reduce paper use within the Planes Anuales Operativos.* The Plans and Budget Section of the Planning Department issued circulars No. 006-2010 and its addendum No. 007-2010, addressed to Consejos de Administración, program administrators, those in charge of responsibility centers, office heads, and others involved in the formulation of the 2011 Planes Anuales Operativos. Its purpose is for the policy of reduction in paper use to be incorporated as one of the objectives of the Planes Anuales Operativos for the 2011 period (PAO-2011).
Said circular reads verbatim:
"*In Circular 006-2010 of the Planning Department issued on October 1, 2010, point 5) should be read as follows: ...**5-** It is important to emphasize that specific objectives, goals, indicators, activities, and coordination related to the thematic axes of Gender, Accessibility, Values, ***substitution of paper by technological tools (zero paper),** * _***Self-Assessment** * _***and Risks must be mandatorily included, which should be associated with the previous concepts as appropriate, using the last column of the PAO form attached." (the underline is what is additional)"** ._ ** ** ### *Regional Recycling Initiatives, waste management programs, and occasional environmental awareness campaigns.* The various offices and buildings of the judicial circuits have independently sought to solve the management of ordinary solid waste generated by the offices in their daily actions. Thus, institutional efforts by administrators and office heads, as well as by the Department of General Services and the Procurement Department, have been identified. They have made contacts with schools to which they deliver waste for recycling. As an illustration, such actions are followed in the Buildings of the I and II Judicial Circuit of San José through the Administration and General Services, as well as in the Judicial City of San Joaquín de Flores and regional buildings such as Puntarenas. Through this, a percentage of the paper used and discarded by the institution has been recovered to achieve its recovery and subsequent recycling with the managers to whom it is finally delivered.
Similarly, in the Department of Forensic Sciences of the Judicial Investigation Agency (located in the Judicial City of San Joaquín de Flores), a model for managing hazardous waste has been in place for several years, along with protocols for the collection, treatment, and disposal of infectious materials.
Furthermore, various instances have existed regarding awareness of paper use and waste separation, or the final disposal of cell phones.
Astorga, A. 2007. Manual de Instrucciones para la elaboración de Planes de Gestión Ambiental en el sector público de Costa Rica. Technical Document, Dirección de Gestión de Calidad Ambiental, Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía of Costa Rica, 104 p." - 0 - **It was agreed:** To approve the Plan de Gestión Ambiental according to the update submitted by the Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales and to make it known to the División de Gestión de Calidad of the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía. It is understood that the commitment acquired by the Poder Judicial to fulfill the commitments acquired in this document "Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional" and with what is stated in the Decreto Ejecutivo Número 36499-S-MINAET "Reglamento para la Elaboración de Programas de Gestión Ambiental Institucional en el Sector Público de Costa Rica", is based on the prior analysis carried out by the officials who are members of the aforementioned Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales. **The agreement is declared final.** It should not be viewed as a document for merely fulfilling a requirement, but rather as a process that gradually and sustainably improves the institution's environmental quality, and constitutes a valuable input for the management and awareness-raising of all judicial officials, male and female, regarding their responsibility as individuals for the impacts on the environment from each workplace; for it involves the entire collective.
The legal framework that underpins this environmental management instrument is composed of Decree No. 36499-S-MINAET, *Reglamento para la Elaboración de Programas de Gestión Ambiental Institucional en el Sector Público de Costa Rica*, and follows the guidelines established in the *Guía para la Elaboración de los Programas de Gestión Ambiental en el Sector Público de Costa Rica*. In addition to this, Article 28 of *Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos* N. 8839 refers to the obligation to implement environmental performance programs in the provision of public services and the development of consumption habits and adequate waste management.
The purpose of the Institutional Environmental Management Program (Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional, PGAI) is to define the impacts of the Judicial Branch and the activities required to mitigate them, through environmental quality management, climate change, and energy conservation and rational use. Furthermore, it is intended to be a tool to enable the implementation of various environmental programs and plans that allow the environmental variable to be introduced into every aspect of procurement, planning, and administrative operation.
Cross-cutting axes will be included, such as Awareness-raising, Training and Communication, and Procurement of Goods and Technology Transfer. Finally, efforts will be made to maintain a metrics system with reliable, easy-to-use, and verifiable indicators that assist in the measurement process to understand the environmental situation and performance of the Judicial Branch.
For the preparation of this document, the Environmental Affairs Commission (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales) designated Licda. María Rosa Castro, judge of the Agrarian Tribunal of the II Judicial Circuit, and Lic. Mauricio Chacón, Judicial Expert 2 of the Department of Forensic Sciences of the Judicial Investigation Agency (Organismo de Investigación Judicial), and Bach. Tanara Jiménez for its updating.
The validity of each PGAI is 5 years, therefore an update must be carried out for the year 2017, unless one is necessary in a shorter timeframe due to operational changes or any other reason deemed so by the responsible Commission.
**Background of the Organization.** The historical institutional development of the Supreme Court of Justice began with the very Independence of Costa Rica, on September 15, 1821, when the people of that time decided to organize themselves politically and form their own government. From the first constitutional text issued on December 1, 1821, called the *Pacto Social Fundamental Interino de Costa Rica* and known as the *Pacto de Concordia*, the foundations of the current State were laid. Thus, the Supreme Governmental Junta was established, tasked with exercising government functions, and a Tribunal was created with the function of administering justice, following the laws for the Indo-Spanish peoples, known as the *Leyes de Indias*, which had been issued by the rulers of Spain to regulate the interests of the Spanish empire in American territories; giving rise to the "*first foundation of the Supreme Court*"[1].
From that moment on, social, political, and economic phenomena emerged that, over two centuries, delineated the structure of the current State, the balance in the functioning of the branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial), and the organization of its institutions and agencies.
Guided by the principle of judicial independence, visualized in its powers of self-government and the provision of its own budget, the Supreme Court of Justice has had to grow throughout the national territory, according to the real needs of fulfilling its function of administering justice and bringing the fundamental, constitutionally mandated service to all populations and social sectors.
The Judicial Branch is fundamental for the existence and strengthening of Costa Rican democracy and the achievement of social peace; therefore, its functions are indispensable. Article 121, subsection 20 of the Political Constitution established the power to create new Tribunals within the Judicial Branch in different parts of the country, according to the Court's criteria and approval by the Legislative Assembly. For this reason, throughout its history, new offices and jurisdictions have been integrated, which has resulted in the presence of many buildings of various dimensions across the national territory.
**Function and Organization of the Judicial Branch**[2] The Judicial Branch of Costa Rica, Supreme Branch of the Republic, has the obligation to enforce the laws and administer justice; a fundamental objective designated to it by the Political Constitution; likewise, it is governed by the legal directives established in the *Ley Orgánica del Poder Judicial*, Law number 7333 of May 5, 1993, which establishes in Article 1:
*“...The Judicial Branch is responsible, in addition to the functions that the Constitution assigns to it, for hearing civil, criminal, juvenile criminal, commercial, labor, contentious-administrative and civil treasury, constitutional, family, and agrarian proceedings, as well as others established by Law; resolving them definitively and executing the resolutions it pronounces, with the help of the Public Force if necessary.”* For the fulfillment of these functions, Article 2 of that same regulatory body reinforces the functional independence of the Judicial Branch by stating:
“*The Judicial Branch is subject only to the Political Constitution and the Law. The resolutions it issues, in matters of its competence, impose no other responsibilities than those expressly indicated by legislative precepts. However, the superior authority of the Court will prevail over its performance to guarantee that the administration of justice is prompt and fulfilled*.” Supported by the principle of independence reaffirmed in Article 9 of the Political Constitution, which grants this Branch of the Republic total and absolute independence, and which constitutes a guarantee that justice is imparted in Costa Rica in strict adherence to the spirit of the Law; the administration of justice, to avoid arbitrariness and achieve prompt and expeditious justice, is organized by important principles, such as due process, from which derive the right to be heard, to defense, to equality and procedural good faith, to be judged by impartial and independent tribunals, by competent courts through pre-established procedures.
To achieve its objectives, the Judicial Branch formed a structure divided and organized into three different spheres, all of which depend on the Supreme Court of Justice; namely: jurisdictional sphere, auxiliary justice sphere, and administrative sphere, as illustrated in the following figure:
 Figure 1. Organizational Chart of the Judicial Branch Furthermore, the Strategic Plan 2007-2011 of the Judicial Branch defines the **mission and vision** of the institution as follows:
**Mission:** “To administer justice in a prompt, fulfilled manner, without denial, and in strict conformity with the legal system, guaranteeing quality in the provision of services for the users who require it.” **Vision:** “To be a Judicial Branch that guarantees the user access to justice and resolves their conflicts with modern organization and management systems; composed of personnel guided by shared institutional values, conscious of their role in the nation's development, and supported by strategic partners.” ### PGAI Support Units ### Environmental Affairs Commission (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales).
It began functions on September 8, 2009, coordinated by Magistrate Oscar González Camacho, (who presides); and Magistrates Julia Varela and Carmenmaría Escoto; as well as different sectors of judges from the Contentious-Administrative, Agrarian, and Civil courts. Officials from the Public Ministry, General Services, the Procurement Department, the Information Technology Department, the Services Comptrollership, the Department of Forensic Sciences of the Judicial Investigation Agency (Organismo de Investigación Judicial), the Press and Communication Department, the Judicial School, the Graphic Arts Department, the Superior Council, among others, were also integrated.
Through the actions promoted by the Commission, important contributions are sought, not only at the institutional level but also in a global planning of general and environmental policies, with the aim of positioning within the Institution a clear awareness of what can be done internally and externally to improve environmental management.
Through this Commission, the aim is to establish a general policy with immediate parallel actions, which requires the definition of a diagnosis that will allow establishing the state this Branch of the Republic is in regarding the issue, understanding the institution's ecological footprint, managing aspects such as vehicles and fuel use, waste management, energy consumption, recycling, technology use, building construction and reforestation issues, promoting environmental awareness among officials, male and female, among others.
This commission meets the last week of each month to review the progress and projects to be carried out for the Institutional Environmental Management Program (Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional).
With the objective of exchanging experiences and leveraging the capacities of some institutions, the Commission has established contacts with various governmental and non-governmental entities such as state universities, the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications, the Ministry of the Presidency, and private organizations, in order to coordinate concrete actions that allow for an integration of their activities.
The Environmental Affairs Commission prepared an Institutional Environmental Management Plan (Plan de Gestión Ambiental Institucional) for the 2011-2013 period, which covered topics such as responsible water consumption, reduction in energy consumption, adequate waste management; as well as other topics such as the construction of more environmentally friendly buildings (bioclimatic architecture), the mitigation of the institutional carbon footprint, among others; and work is currently underway on updating and implementing this Plan.
### Recycling Commission (Comisión de Reciclaje).
For some years, the Recycling Commission (Comisión de Reciclaje), made up of officials, male and female, of the institution concerned with institutional waste management, was in operation. Said Commission began with the theme of recycling and brought together the diverse groups within the institution concerned with the impacts the Court produces externally.
### Forensic Environmental Unit of the Department of Forensic Sciences, Judicial Investigation Agency (Unidad Ambiental Forense del Departamento de Ciencias Forenses, Organismo de Investigación Judicial).
The Forensic Environmental Unit (Unidad Ambiental Forense) was created on the initiative of the Head of the Department of Forensic Sciences of the Judicial Investigation Agency (Organismo de Investigación Judicial), in mid-2005. That year, the creation of a Chemist position dedicated to addressing the issue of environmental crimes was authorized. That person is dedicated to carrying out a feasibility study to evaluate the need to develop a laboratory of that nature, while considering the type of cases that needed to be addressed.
The forensic environmental project began by offering consulting and advisory services to judicial authorities (mainly to the Public Ministry), who require collaboration regarding how the collected evidence must be gathered to be sent for analysis.
Starting in 2007, environmental expert reports began to be conducted, mainly related to pesticide contamination. In 2008, the expert analyses were expanded and analyses of wastewater and qualitative analysis of pesticides in bodies of water were incorporated; also maintaining collaboration with sampling and advisory services. Furthermore, during this period, the study of methodologies for implementation in subsequent years began, as well as the adaptation of the physical space and the acquisition of some laboratory equipment.
In 2009, a biologist and a forensic laboratory technician were incorporated, leaving the laboratory currently composed of three people (1 chemist, 1 biologist, and 1 laboratory technician), and methodological development and the acquisition of instrumentation continue.
It should be highlighted that at the Latin American level, no other equivalent structure is known in terms of forensic laboratories dedicated exclusively to addressing environmental crime.
### Judicial School: training in environmental matters.
The Judicial School of the Supreme Court of Justice, among its multiple functions, has developed training courses in the environmental area concerning environmental law, aimed at officials from various areas who have contributed to expanding knowledge in this legal branch and the consequent awareness-raising of the judicial population.
The courses taught are:
· Environmental Law Course (introductory) 2007 · Environmental Law Course (introductory) 2008 · “Environmental Law” Course in coordination with the USAID-CCAD Cooperation Agreement 2009 · Course "Training of Trainers in Environmental Law: Evaluation, Assessment, and Compensation for Environmental Damage" 2010.
## ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH The Judicial Branch is the state body that, by constitutional mandate, exercises the Administration of Justice within the national territory, and therefore hears, resolves, and executes the judicial proceedings of the various jurisdictions brought before it. In the exercise of this function, it promotes the sustainable use of resources, preventing and reducing the environmental impacts generated by its activities and complying with current legislation.
To execute the environmental policy, programs are developed with specific objectives for waste management, energy consumption, consumption and potability of water resources, environmental training and citizen participation, sustainable constructions, green and responsible purchasing, occupational health, emergency management, and conservation of natural resources, thus promoting the adoption of good environmental management practices and continuous improvement in all its activities, fostering awareness, formation, and education in environmental management among all officials, female and male.
## ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT ADVANCES The initiative for the protection of natural resources and the improvement of the environment has been present in the Institution throughout its operation.
This is the reason why actions and programs have emerged from various areas that positively affect the environmental performance of the administration of justice.
The existing actions that are considered fundamental for adequate environmental management of the judicial organization will be set out below.
Table No. 1 General data of the Institution and the Institutional Commission
| **Institution data** | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Institution** | Poder Judicial | |||
| **Website** | poder-judicial.go.cr | |||
| **Institutional email** | [email protected] | |||
| **Address of Central offices** | I Judicial Circuit: Central Canton of San José (Supreme Court of Justice Building –construction area: 16281 m2-, Judicial Investigation Agency Building –construction area: 28165 m2- and Courts of Justice Building – construction area: 24040 m2-) | |||
| **Post office box** | II Judicial Circuit: Courts Building located in the canton of Goicoechea (construction area: 23180 m2) | |||
| **Telephone of central offices** | 1-1003 San José | |||
| **Working hours** | 2295-3000 fax 2257-4498 | |||
| **Number of buildings** | Daytime courts and offices 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | |||
| **Number of workers** | Afternoon courts 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. | |||
| **Data of the Highest Authority** | I Judicial Circuit (San José) : 4149 officials | |||
| **Name** | Zarella Villanueva | |||
| **Email** | [email protected] | |||
| **Telephone** | Central 2295-3000 | |||
| **Fax** | - | |||
| **Post office box** | 2-1003 San José | |||
| **Institutional commission** | ||||
| **Data of the PGAI coordinator** | ||||
| **Name** | Dr. |
Oscar González Camacho **Email** [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) **Telephone** 2295-4996 **Fax** 2257-4498 **Post Office Box** 2-1003 San José **Representatives of the Institutional Commission** Name Position Department / Court Óscar González Camacho Magistrate Sala Primera Carmenmaría Escoto Fernández Magistrate Sala Primera Julia Varela Araya Magistrate Sala Segunda Alejandro López Mc Adams Council Member Consejo Superior Ana Eugenia Romero Jenkins Deputy Director Dirección Ejecutiva José Rubén Dimas Portillo Chief Departamento de Artes Gráficas Lena White Curling Chief Contraloría de Servicios Mauricio Quirós Chacón Chief Unidad de Salud Ocupacional Orlando Castrillo Vargas Deputy Chief Dirección de Tecnología de Información Walter Jiménez Sorio Deputy Auditor Departamento de Auditoría Hellen Poveda Montoya Chief Proceso de Administración de Bienes Malberth Chaves Sanabria Coordinator Unidad de Salud Ocupacional Amanda Madrigal Valerín Legal Officer Sala Primera Daniel Aguilar Méndez Judge Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo Francia León González Training Manager Escuela Judicial Karla Arias Villalobos Legal Officer Sala Primera Mauricio Chacón Hernandez Judicial Expert Departamento de Ciencias Forenses Patricia Bonilla Rodríguez IT Professional Dirección de Tecnología de la Información # Institutional Environmental Compliance Affidavit (Declaración Jurada de Cumplimiento Ambiental Institucional, DJCAI) **The undersigned Zarela Villanueva, in my capacity as President of the Supreme Court of Justice, of the Poder Judicial, commit to fulfilling the commitments acquired in this document, the "Institutional Environmental Management Program" (Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional), and with what is set forth in Decreto Ejecutivo Número 36499-S-MINAET, "Reglamento para la Elaboración de Programas de Gestión Ambiental Institucional en el Sector Público de Costa Rica."** **Air management (Climate Change)** Within a maximum period of 5 years, fuel and electricity consumption will be reduced by 5%, through the implementation of the corresponding environmental programs.
Within a maximum period of 6 months, 100% compliance with the current regulation will be met, through the environmental program for vehicle emissions control.
**Water Management** Within a maximum period of 6 months, wastewater regulations will be met through the corresponding protocol.
Within a maximum period of 2 years, water consumption will be reduced by 5%, through the application of the corresponding environmental program.
**Soil and solid waste management** Within a maximum period of two years, a waste management program will be implemented that will allow for the recovery of at least 20% of the waste currently generated, achieving the maximum possible compliance with regulations on ordinary solid waste, through the corresponding protocol to prevent and correct environmental pollution.
Within a maximum period of two years, the workforce will have been made aware of their obligation to separate waste for its subsequent final disposal.
**Energy management** Within a maximum period of 4 years, energy consumption will be reduced by at least 5%, through the energy efficiency environmental program.
**Paper management** Within a maximum period of 2 years, paper consumption will be reduced by 5%, with the application of the measures established in the respective programs.
**Natural and anthropogenic threats** Within a maximum period of one year, the maximum possible compliance with regulations regarding the development and implementation of the Occupational Health Plan and emergency programs will be met.
**Biotopes (flora and fauna)** Within a maximum period of 6 months, documentation of existing plans and programs will be available.
Increase the number of specimens in the area, through the use of available spaces.
Within a period of 2 years, activities of the "Justice with Nature" (justicia con la naturaleza) program will be carried out.
**Human** Within a maximum period of one year, environmental training and awareness courses will be designed.
Within a maximum period of six months, the mechanism for receiving complaints, suggestions, observations, etc., regarding the environmental management of the Poder Judicial shall have been communicated.
Within a maximum period of six months, the Environmental Policy shall have been disseminated at the Institutional level.
| **Occupational safety, health, and hygiene** | Within a maximum period of 3 years, the documentation of existing plans and programs shall be available. | | **Acquisition of goods (compras verdes)** | Within a period of 2 years, at least five compras verdes criteria shall be incorporated into bidding documents and direct contracting. | | **Signature of the highest-ranking official** | | | **Institutional seal** | | ** ** # Inventory of Organizations The Poder Judicial is represented throughout the national territory and comprises the following circuits:
1. I Judicial Circuit San José 2. II Judicial Circuit San José 3. I Judicial Circuit of the Zona Sur (Pérez Zeledón) 4. II Judicial Circuit of the Zona Sur (Corredores) 5. II Judicial Circuit of the Zona Sur (Golfito Office) 6. II Judicial Circuit of the Zona Sur (Osa Office) 7. I Judicial Circuit of Alajuela 8. II Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (San Carlos) 9. III Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (San Ramón) 10. III Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (Grecia Office) 11. Judicial Circuit of Heredia 12. Ciudad Judicial San Joaquín de Flores 13. Judicial Circuit of Cartago 14. Judicial Circuit of Cartago (Turrialba Office) 15. Judicial Circuit of Puntarenas 16. I Judicial Circuit of the Zona Atlántica (Limón) 17. II Judicial Circuit of the Zona Atlántica (Pococí) 18. I Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Liberia) 19. II Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Nicoya) 20. II Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Santa Cruz Office) Regarding infrastructure, there are privately owned buildings and, in some cases, it is necessary to rent because more space is required; there are approximately 60 privately owned buildings and 206 rented buildings.
The following table shows the number of buildings by Regional Area:
| Judicial Circuit | Buildings | Number of Employees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Owned** | **Leased** | ||
| **I Judicial Circuit of San José** | 12 | 49 | 4344 |
| **II Judicial Circuit of San José** | 2 | 1188 | |
| **I Judicial Circuit of Alajuela** | 4 | 1 | 538 |
| **II Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (San Carlos)** | 3 | 8[3] | 336 |
| **III Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (San Ramón)** | 1 | 3 | 218 |
| **III Judicial Circuit of Alajuela (Grecia Office)** | 2 | 108 | |
| **Judicial Circuit of Cartago** | 1 | 18 | 489 |
| **Judicial Circuit of Cartago (Turrialba Office)** | 2 | 128 | |
| **Judicial Circuit of Heredia** | 2 | 13 | 550 |
| **San Joaquín de Flores Judicial City** | 12 | 569 | |
| **Judicial Circuit of Puntarenas** | 1 | 19 | 528 |
| **I Judicial Circuit of Zona Sur (Pérez Zeledón)** | 2 | 2 | 320 |
| **II Judicial Circuit of Zona Sur (Corredores)** | 2 | 4[4] | 177 |
| **II Judicial Circuit of Zona Sur (Golfito Office)** | 2 | 76 | |
| **II Judicial Circuit of Zona Sur (Osa Office)** | 1 | 1 | 65 |
| **I Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Liberia)** | 2 | 14 | 380 |
| **II Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Nicoya)** | 1 | 5 | 167 |
| **II Judicial Circuit of Guanacaste (Santa Cruz Office)** | 2 | 213 | |
| **II Judicial Circuit of Zona Atlántica (Pococí)** | 3 | 6 | 377 |
| **I Judicial Circuit of Zona Atlántica (Limón)** | 3 | 2 | 462 |
| **TOTAL** | 60 | 145 | 11233 |
# Initial Environmental Diagnosis Synthesis of the diagnosis
| Environmental Aspect | Environmental Impact Identified | Significance | Synthesis of the environmental situation | Indicators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Wastewater** | Contamination of water resources. Loss of aquatic habitat. Generation of greenhouse gases. | Medium | Wastewater is generated from the daily use of toilets, showers, washbasins, and cafeterias in the buildings. According to the activities from which it originates, it is considered ordinary type. According to estimates, in the First Judicial Circuit, located in San José, 18,684.4 m3 of wastewater are generated per month (Supreme Court of Justice Building, Judicial Investigation Agency Building, and Courts of Justice Building), while in the building of the Second Judicial Circuit, located in Goicoechea, 45,821.6 m3 are generated per month. The volume of wastewater is obtained through an estimate of consumption by number of people, since no records of generated volume are kept. Prevention measures: Compliance activities were established for employees in general, these include: Prevent the contamination of drinking water and stormwater sources. Maintenance of grease traps located in the sinks and dishwashers of the buildings. Diagnosis of disinfectants and other chemical substances used in cleaning and other activities, to evaluate the possibility of substitution for less polluting ones. Analysis of the wastewater generated in the buildings. |
In the event of non-compliance with one or more parameters, the necessary corrective actions are taken so that the monitored values do not exceed the permissible limits.
Final disposal: The buildings have a sanitary sewer system where the wastewater is disposed.
| **Potable Water** | Depletion of water resources | High | Potable water is supplied by the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados for the buildings of the first and second Circuitos Judiciales of San José. The main sources of use are toilets, showers, cafeteria, and consumption by workers and users. Currently, no record is kept of volumes of water consumed; only data on expenditure for consumption at the level of the entire Poder Judicial is available, therefore, specific consumption data per building and per worker are not available. It is established among the pending tasks to begin recording the cubic meters consumed per building.
Saving measures have been implemented, such as: Campaigns for consumption reduction such as turning off the tap when brushing teeth, washing hands, and dishes. Procedures for identifying and repairing leaks. Avoiding practices that use large volumes of water, mainly in cleaning. Performing maintenance of the supply system and verification of water quality. Implementing awareness programs using signage and information systems on saving measures and goals for employees and visitors to the site.
| Monthly cubic meters consumed per building.
Record of the preventive and corrective maintenance program.
Compliance with the parameters established for water potability.
Record of the awareness courses and activities given.
| **Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (from mobile and/or stationary sources)** | Air pollution, acid rain, generation of greenhouse gases. Depletion of the ozone layer. | Low | Air emissions come from the vehicle fleet of the Poder Judicial. They are a product of the fossil fuels used and are composed of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide, which cause acid rain and are the gases responsible for the greenhouse effect.
Prevention measures: Procedures were established for the preventive maintenance of vehicles, such as technical vehicle inspection. Programs are being developed for the reduction and mitigation of greenhouse gases as well as energy management programs. Information gathering on energy consumption will begin to keep reports, reviews, and controls.
| Estimation of CO2 emissions from electricity consumption.
Estimation of CO2 emissions from fuel consumption.
| | **Fossil Fuel Consumption** | Consumption of non-renewable resources. Air pollution, generation of greenhouse gases. | Low | Fossil fuels are used only for the vehicle fleet of the buildings of the first and second Circuitos Judiciales of San José. Currently, diesel and gasoline are used. Saving measures: Measures for the preventive maintenance of the vehicle fleet were established. A plan for fuel saving measures was created, to be implemented in the short term. | Total fuel consumption per building. (liters of fuel consumed per month) | | **Energy Consumption** | Destruction of forests (dams). Atmospheric pollution from the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation. | High | Electric energy is supplied by the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz for the buildings of the first and second Circuitos Judiciales of San José. The practices related to energy consumption are the use of computers, printers, photocopiers, lighting, refrigeration, and air conditioning, mainly.
Among the measures established for energy saving are: Awareness programs were implemented for the optimization of the use of lighting, air conditioning, and other electrical appliances and electronic devices. Cleaning programs are carried out for lighting systems. Computers, printers, and other electronic equipment were configured in energy-saving mode. | Total electricity consumption per building per month. | | **Paper Consumption** | Resource decrease, incentivizing excessive tree felling and loss of habitat. | Medium | Paper is one of the most used resources within the institution; its consumption occurs in various administrative activities, offices, among others. In the last semester of 2011, a total of 7,369 reams were delivered in the Primer circuito judicial of San José, while 2,400 reams were delivered in the Segundo Circuito Judicial.
Consumption saving measures: Regarding prevention, measures are established to avoid unnecessary printing, maximizing the use of technology to replace paper, such as the use of email and the intranet for internal communications. Excessive printing of promotional materials was reduced. To reduce paper use, more efficient printing measures were established: use both sides of the paper, use recycled paper, use paper printed on one side as drafts. Control of the quantity of paper supplied to buildings continues. In 2010, the zero paper program of the Poder Judicial began. With the objective of significantly reducing consumption, this program promotes the substitution of paper through the application of technological resources, in addition to establishing best practices for the rational use of paper. | Monthly paper consumption per office: Reams of paper consumed per month. | | **Generation of Solid Waste (ordinary, hazardous, and special handling)** | Soil or water contamination Generation of greenhouse gases. Resource decrease and habitat loss. | High | The waste generated in the buildings of the first and second Circuito Judicial of San José is classified as ordinary and special handling waste; this comes from the daily activities carried out in the buildings. The ordinary waste generated is paper and cardboard, plastic containers and briks, aluminum cans, glass, and other ordinary solid waste that is not classified and is delivered to a manager for final disposal. The special handling waste consists of cartridges and toners, fluorescent lights, batteries, and electronic devices. The data on the quantity of solid waste separated per month is not taken periodically, so only scattered data are available for materials delivered in certain months of the last year. These materials were plastic, cardboard, toner, batteries, and paper. Final disposal: Separation systems for ordinary waste were established, and its collection is managed with authorized entities. Additionally, better controls are being incorporated for the quantities generated for recycling. The placement of identified containers for the adequate segregation of waste is in process. | -Monthly quantity of waste collected separately per building according to category (glass, paper, cardboard…)
-Quantity of electronic waste delivered to authorized managers per year.
-Quantity of toners, fluorescent lights, batteries delivered to authorized managers per year.
-Number of areas in the buildings that have waste separation points.
-Number of training sessions conducted annually. | | **Green Procurement** | | Low | The purchase and acquisition processes for goods and services were evaluated. The environmental policy was communicated to the workers in charge of preparing bidding, contracting, and direct purchase specifications, and training was given on the inclusion of environmental performance criteria in procurement.
| - Percentage of officials from the Department of Procurement to whom the environmental policy was communicated.
-Number of suppliers and participants in the processes of acquiring goods and services who have received communication of the environmental policy.
-Percentage of officials who have received training on procurement processes for goods and services with environmental performance criteria.
-Percentage of purchases of goods and services under any modality, in which environmental performance criteria were evaluated.
| | **Urban and Natural Landscape** | Environmental impact due to poor landscape management | Low | The "Programa justicia con la naturaleza" was established and is being followed up on. This consists of a conservation and ornamentation plan for the La Soledad farm, which belongs to the Poder Judicial, and other circuitos judiciales of the country. | Number of program activities carried out per year | | **Citizen Participation** | Damage to the human and archaeological environment | Low | Communication spaces were established for inquiries, complaints, or suggestions about environmental management. The environmental policy and the environmental management plan of the institution were visibly and permanently announced.
| Number of officials trained per year. | | **Occupational Health and Safety** | Human resources | Low | The preparation of the Institutional Occupational Health Plan must be completed, according to the relevant legal standards. | Documentation of the occupational health and safety programs. | | **Natural Disasters** | Environmental damage due to inadequate disaster prevention | Low | Together with the Occupational Health Offices, prevention, preparation, and evacuation plans were implemented in case of an emergency or a possible disaster. | | Emergency response program prepared.
Documentation of communication channels with neighboring buildings.
---
| Environmental legislation | A review was conducted to establish the legal framework that the Judicial Branch must observe in environmental matters. The guidelines of current legislation were incorporated into the institutional environmental management plan, along with the necessary environmental measures to comply with the legislation. Biannual reviews are conducted to identify new environmental legislation and integrate it into the environmental management plan. | Biannual record of the review and updating of legislation. |
|---|
--- Scope of the PGAI This Program intends to encompass the I and II Judicial Circuit in the year 2013, to incorporate the Judicial City of San Joaquín de Flores in 2014, and to initiate regional efforts.
The Plan aims to encompass, in the medium term, the 162 buildings (55 owned and 107 leased), reaching out to the judicial officials who, according to the Budget Law N° 9103 Year 2013, Ordinary and Extraordinary Budget of the Republic for the 2013 Economic Execution, the Judicial Branch has 11,233 employees (10,793 ordinary positions and 440 extraordinary).
According to an analysis conducted by the Environmental Affairs Commission, a questionnaire was sent to each regional administration; variables alluding to each administration's environmental impact were analyzed. The questionnaire consisted of 18 questions, divided into General Data, Wastewater, Drinking Water, Fuel, Energy, Human Resources, among others. The score obtained was correlated with the number of officials, buildings, and the existence of any environmental subcommittee, in order to understand the ease of implementing the PGAI in each of the Regional Offices. Based on this, it is recommended to begin implementation in Grecia, Turrialba, and Santa Cruz, then proceed with Osa, Golfito, Nicoya, Corredores, San Carlos, and San Ramón, which, with the exception of San Carlos, have a negative environmental impact tending to high, making it necessary to take measures in this regard.
In an intermediate stage, the Regional Offices of Pérez Zeledón, Alajuela, Limón, Pococí, and Puntarenas can be integrated, finishing with Cartago. The process would be seen as follows:
--- Specific Diagnostics: Energy Efficiency Diagnostic and Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory --- Energy Efficiency Diagnostic The execution of the diagnostic for the I and II Judicial Circuit in San José is being coordinated with the CNFL. It is planned to begin in 2013, with the aim of taking relevant actions during 2014 and 2015. Subsequently, coordination will be established to diagnose the situation of other Regional Areas.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory Definition of responsible party and scope of the inventory The Environmental Affairs Commission is responsible for conducting the emission inventory. These will be carried out annually in the I and II Judicial Circuits. The first inventory is conducted in the year 2013, taking into account the records from 2012.
Identification of Emissions They are classified as direct and indirect; fugitive emissions will not be calculated.
Direct Emissions:
- **Judicial branch vehicle fleet:** It is well known that the transportation sector is the main responsible for emitting greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere, due to its massive consumption of hydrocarbons. It is essential to analyze institutional consumption and what it represents in terms of atmospheric emissions.
Table. Annual Consumption of Diesel and Gasoline from Mobile Sources, I Circuit
| **Total liters (l)** | **Carbon dioxide (kg CO2)** | **Methane (g CH4)** | **Methane (kg CH4)** | **Nitrous oxide (g N2O)** | **Nitrous oxide (kg N2O)** | **Kg of CO2 equivalent (kg CO2e)** | **Tons of CO2 equivalent (ton CO2)** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Diesel** | **176303.09** | **474255.31** | **24964.52** | **24.96** | **24964.52** | **24.96** | **482518.57** | **482.52** |
| **Gasoline** | **426651.23** | **964231.78** | **459503.37** | **459.5** | **44585.05** | **44.59** | **987702.72** | **987.7** |
| **Total** | 602954.32 | 1438487.09 | 484467.89 | 484.46 | 69549.57 | 69.55 | 1470221.29 | 1470.22 |
Table.
Annual consumption of Diesel and gasoline from mobile sources, Circuit II
| Litros totales (l) | Dióxido de carbono | Metano | Metano | Óxido nitroso | Óxido nitroso | Kg de CO2 equivalente (kg CO2e) | Toneladas de CO2 equivalente (t CO2e) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (kg CO2) | (g CH4) | (kg CH4) | (g N2O) | (kg N2O) | ||||
| Diesel | 3.143,33 | 8455,5577 | 445,1 | 0,45 | 445,1 | 0,45 | 8602,88 | 8,6 |
| Gasolina | 5464,14 | 12348,96 | 5884,88 | 5,88 | 571 | 0,57 | 12649,55 | 12,65 |
| Total | 8.607,47 | 20.804,52 | 6.329,98 | 6,33 | 1.016,10 | 1,02 | 21.252,43 | 21,25 |
Figure. Fuel consumption, regarding diesel, 2012, Judicial Circuits I and II, in liters.
Source. Own elaboration, 2013.
· **Emergency electricity generation plants:** Judicial Circuit I has 4 generating plants, which run on Diesel; their fuel consumption varies according to the national-level power outages that occur, although there is a base consumption, which is for maintenance, since these plants are turned on once a month for one hour to ensure their functionality. The 2012 Diesel consumption reported by the procurement department was used for the emissions calculation; the results are shown below.
Table. Calculation of GHG emissions for Judicial Circuit I.
| Diesel (Comercial / institucional) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Litros totales (l) | Dióxido de carbono (kg CO2) | Metano (kg CH4) | Óxido nitroso (kg N2O) | Kilogramos de dióxido de carbono equivalente (kg CO2e) | Toneladas de dióxido de carbono equivalente (t CO2e) |
| 3.788 | 10189,72 | 1,38 | 0,08 | 10244,17 | 10,24 |
Source. Own elaboration with data from the procurement department and DIGECA, 2013.
**Indirect emissions:** · **Electricity:** According to reports from ICE, by the end of 2009, 95.9% of electricity generation came from renewable sources, while 4.1% came from fossil fuels. Utilization by source is 84% hydroelectric, 8% geothermal, 5% wind, and 3% biomass. (ICE, 2012).
According to the data provided by the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz, based on the electrical consumption of the buildings of the I and II Circuito Judicial de San José for the year 2012, the following data are obtained,
| # | Edificio/ Dependencia | Consumo de Energía (kWh/mes) | Demanda máxima (kW) | Importe (¢/mes) | Área fisica (m2) | Indicadores | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumo de energía eléctrica por área física por mes (kWh/m2/mes) | Kilogramos de dióxido de carbono equivalente por mes (kg CO2e/mes) | ||||||
| **1** | Corte Suprema de Justicia | 71,63 | 136,76 | ₡7.331.723 | 16281 | 0,00 | 4,01 |
| **2** | OIJ Anexo A, B y C | 198,69 | 448,20 | ₡20.904.555 | 31373 | 0,01 | 11,13 |
| **3** | Tribunales de Justicia I Circuito | 92,95 | 232,94 | ₡9.136.667 | 24040 | 0,00 | 5,21 |
| **4** | Anexo D | 3,76 | ₡347.560 | 1428 | 0,00 | 0,21 | |
| **5** | Tribunales de Justicia II Circuito Goicochea | 112,95 | 273,28 | ₡10.522.118 | 23180 | 0,00 | 6,33 |
| **6** | Tribunales II Circuito edificio Motorola | 28,43 | 130,55 | ₡2.846.629 | 4900 | 0,01 | 1,59 |
| **TOTAL** | **508,43** | **448,20** | **₡51.089.253** | **101201,49** | **-** | **28,47** |
Fuente: Elaboración propia con datos de CNFyL y DIGECA, 2013.
· **Air Conditioners:** These are considered among the gas emitters since they use refrigerant gases, which are known to be major pollutants. It has 5 12000 BTU Air Conditioners 3 14000 BTU Air Conditioners 1 15000 BTU Air Conditioner 6 18000 BTU Air Conditioners 2 24000 BTU Air Conditioners 1 36000 BTU Air Conditioner 1 48000 BTU Air Conditioner 20 Window-Type Air Conditioners · **Others** While it is true that solid waste, purchases of supplies, and the generation of wastewater contribute Greenhouse Gas (Gases Efecto Invernadero) emissions to the atmosphere, they will not be considered within the calculation.
However, it is worth mentioning that there is a recycling program that allows for the reduction of emissions for this concept, green purchasing that collaborates in the reduction of emissions, and regarding the Wastewater (sewage and soapy) from circuit I and II, it is disposed of into the San José sanitary sewer system, so it is not possible to generate conclusive data.
Gases evaluated · Carbon dioxide (CO2) · Methane (CH4) · Nitrous Oxide (N2O) · Halocarbons (HFC): From the use of air conditioning and refrigerator systems.
GENERAL EMISSIONS CALCULATION Table.
Greenhouse gas emissions 2012 for I and II Judicial Circuit of San José.</span></p>
| Emisiones | kg CO2e | kg CO2 | kg CH4 | kg N2O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transporte | 1.491.417,72 | 1459291,61 | 490,79 | 70,57 |
| Electricidad | **341,66** | - | - | - |
| Plantas de emergencia | 10244,17 | 10189,72 | 1,38 | 0,08 |
| Total | 1.502.003,55 | 1469481,33 | 492,17 | 70,65 |
Source: Own elaboration with data from the procurement department, CNFL and formulas from DIGECA, 2013.
We are currently working on calculating gas emissions from the use of air conditioners; as this is in process, it is not presented in this document.
Among the pending environmental improvement tasks within the Institutional Plan, the following is established:
· Development of an Institutional carbon dioxide emission mitigation program.
For this first implementation stage, protocols have been established for vehicle emission control, as well as the documentation for the Justice in Nature program and an energy efficiency program. The objective is to consolidate these institutional efforts into a carbon footprint mitigation program, which for now is established as a pending task. Despite having some progress in this matter, it is considered a pending task to work on, at the latest in 2013, to have the emission calculations for the I and II Judicial Circuit and, if possible, integrate data collection efforts into the regional areas in that same year.
Action Plan Table. Matrix
| Tema | Aspecto ambiental | Prioridad | Objetivos | Metas ambientales | Plazo estimado de cumplimiento | Indicadores | Medidas ambientales | Presupuesto | Responsables |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gestión del agua | Aguas residuales | Medio | Cumplir con la legislación sobre vertido de aguas residuales | Cumplir con todos los parámetros los establecidos en la legislación de vertido y reúso de aguas residuales. | Diciembre 2012 | Límites máximos establecidos para parámetros universales de aguas residuales vertidas en alcantarillado sanitario Reporte de análisis anual. | Programa ambiental para aguas residuales | Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario. | Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales / Administraciones Regionales |
| Gestión del agua | Agua potable | Alto | Reducir el consumo de agua | Disminución del consumo de agua en un 5% | Diciembre 2012 | Metros cúbicos consumidos mensualmente por edificación. Registro del programa de mantenimiento preventivo y correctivo. Cumplimiento de los parámetros establecidos para la potabilidad de agua. Registro de los cursos y actividades de sensibilización impartidos. | Programa ambiental para consumo de agua | Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario. | Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales |
| Gestión del aire | Emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero. | Bajo | Disminuir emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero | Disminuir consumo de combustibles en un 5%. Disminuir consumo de electricidad en un 5%. | Diciembre 2013 | Consumo total de combustibles (litros de combustible consumidos por mes) | Programa ambiental para Emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero | Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario. | Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales/Departamento de transportes. |
| Gestión del aire | Consumo de Combustibles Fósiles | Bajo | Reducir el consumo de combustibles fósiles | Disminuir consumo de combustibles en un 5% | Diciembre 2014 | Consumo total de combustibles (litros de combustible consumidos por mes) | Programa ambiental de consumo de combustibles fósiles. | Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario. | Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales/Departamento de transportes. |
| Gestión de la energía | Consumo de energía | Alto | Reducir el consumo de electricidad | Disminuir consumo de electricidad en un 5% | Diciembre 2013 | Consumo total de electricidad por edificación al mes. | Programa ambiental de eficiencia energética. | Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario. | Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales. |
| Gestión del papel | Consumo de papel | Medio | Reducir consumo de papel | Disminuir el consumo de papel en un 5% | Diciembre 2013 | Resmas de papel consumidas por mes. | Programa ambiental de consumo de papel. | Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario. | Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales. |
| Gestión de residuos sólidos y líquidos. | Generación de residuos sólidos (ordinarios, peligrosos y de manejo especial) | Alto | Valorizar residuos sólidos generados. | Valorización de al menos un 20% de los residuos ordinarios generados. | Diciembre 2014 | Porcentaje de residuos valorizados por año. | Programa ambiental de residuos sólidos. Programa ambiental de residuos especiales. | Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario. | Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales. |
| Gestión de residuos sólidos y líquidos. | Generación de residuos sólidos (ordinarios, peligrosos y de manejo especial) | Alto | Incorporar sistemas de separación de residuos sólidos ordinarios y especiales. | Instalar sistemas para separar residuos sólidos en todos los edificios dentro del alcance. | Diciembre 2014 | Kilogramos de residuos separados al mes por edificio. Cantidad de residuos electrónicos entregados a gestor autorizados por año. Cantidad de tóner, fluorescentes, baterías entregadas a gestores autorizados por año. Cantidad de áreas en los edificios que cuentan con puntos de separación de los residuos. | Programa ambiental de residuos sólidos. Programa ambiental de residuos especiales. | Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario. | Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales. |
| Gestión de residuos sólidos y líquidos. | Generación de residuos sólidos (ordinarios, peligrosos y de manejo especial) | Alto | Sensibilizar a los funcionarios sobre adecuada gestión de residuos sólidos. | Diciembre 2014 | Programa ambiental de residuos sólidos. Programa ambiental de residuos especiales. | Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario. | Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales. |
| Environmental Management | Green Purchasing | Low | Include environmental performance criteria in the procurement processes for goods and services. | Incorporate five green purchasing criteria into the bidding documents (carteles de licitación) and direct contracting processes. | December 2014 | Percentage of officials in the Procurement Department who were informed of the environmental policy. <p class=MsoNormal> </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Number of suppliers and participants in the processes for the acquisition of goods and services who have received notification of the environmental policy.</p> <p class=MsoNormal> </p> <p class=MsoNormal>Percentage of officials who have received training on the subject of procurement processes for goods and services with environmental performance criteria.</p> <p class=MsoNormal>Percentage of purchases of goods and services under any modality in which environmental performance criteria were evaluated.</p> <p class=MsoNormal> </p> | Green Purchasing Environmental Program | No economic investment required. | Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales)/Procurement Department/General Services | | Biotype and Ecosystems | Urban and Natural Landscape | Low | Follow up on the justice with nature programs. | Carry out activities established in the justice with nature program. | December 2014 | Number of program activities carried out per year. | Justice with Nature Program (Programa de Justicia con la naturaleza). | No economic investment required. | Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales) | | Human | Citizen Participation | Low | Conduct training and awareness courses. | Train all officials on environmental issues. | December 2014 | Number of officials trained per year. | Environmental Citizen Participation Program | Requires minimal investment. | Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales) / Information Technology Department / Services Comptroller's Office | | | | | Communicate the complaint disclosure mechanism. | Communicate the complaint disclosure mechanism to all officials. | | | | | | | | | | Disseminate the institution's environmental policy. | Disseminate the environmental policy to all officials. | | | | | | | Human | Occupational Safety, Health, and Hygiene | Low | Document occupational health plans. | Have all Occupational Safety, Health, and Hygiene plans and programs documented. | December 2015 | Documentation of the Occupational Safety, Health, and Hygiene programs. | Carry out the safety, health, and occupational hygiene procedures jointly with the Occupational Health office. | Ordinary budget. Minimal investment. | Occupational Health Office / Human Management Department | | Threats/Natural and Anthropic Risks | Natural Disasters | Low | Environmental program for the prevention and response to natural disasters. | Comply with all standards established in the regulations regarding disaster prevention. | December 2012 | Emergency response program developed. | Environmental Program for Natural Threats (Programa ambiental de amenazas naturales). | No economic investment required, only human resources. | Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales) | | | | | | | | Documentation of communication channels with the neighbors of the buildings. | | | | | Environmental Management | Environmental Legislation | medium | Continue the program for the review and updating of environmental legislation. | Update all environmental legislation. | December 2012 | Semi-annual record of the review and updating of legislation. <p class=MsoNormal> </p> | Environmental Program for Environmental Legislation (Programa ambiental de legislación ambiental) | No economic investment required, only human resources. | Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales) | It is determined that the priority programs to be implemented, due to their economic, temporal, and environmental impact priority, are in the areas of water for human consumption, energy consumption, waste generation, followed by the programs defined as medium priority, which are wastewater, paper consumption, and environmental legislation. The variables of greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption are determined to be low priority, as well as the programs for green purchasing, urban and natural landscape, citizen participation, occupational safety, health, and hygiene, and the Natural Disasters variable.
To achieve the objectives outlined in the Environmental Management Program (Programa de Gestión Ambiental), nine independent environmental programs have been generated, which together constitute the various lines of action for addressing the environmental impacts that the Judicial Branch (Poder Judicial) generates as a result of its daily activities.
The environmental programs considered are as follows:
| Acronyms (*) | Program Name |
|---|---|
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-001** | Environmental program for wastewater |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-002** | Environmental program for consumable water |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-003** | Environmental program for vehicle fleet control |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-004** | Environmental program for the prevention and response to natural disasters |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-005** | Environmental program for energy efficiency |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-006** | Environmental program for ordinary solid waste management |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-007** | Environmental program for special waste management |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-008** | Environmental program for the acquisition of environmentally friendly goods and services |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-009** | Environmental program for paper consumption |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-010** | Environmental program for the review and updating of current environmental legislation |
| **P-CAA-PGA-PAE-011** | Environmental program for citizen participation and training |
(*): The acronyms correspond to: P= Protocol (Protocolo), CAA= Commission on Environmental Affairs (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales), PGA= Environmental Management Plan (Plan de Gestión Ambiental), PAE= Specific Environmental Protocol (Protocolo Ambiental Específico).
The detail of the programs carried out is presented in Annex X.
# Pending Tasks for Environmental Improvement ### Creation of a unit responsible for the institution's environmental management with suitable personnel.
Once the institutional PGA has been developed and launched, it is essential to consolidate an entity responsible for the system's operability.
Currently, this work has been carried out by the Environmental Affairs Commission (Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales), which is composed of officials who, on a part-time basis, dedicate themselves to addressing these issues. However, to guarantee success and continuous improvement, the need for a formally constituted office with suitable personnel and knowledge of the subject is evident, one that works in coordination with areas directly related to its activities such as the Planning Department (Departamento de Planificación), the Information Technology Department (Departamento de Tecnología de Información), the Occupational Health Office (Oficina de Salud Ocupacional) of the Human Management Department (Departamento de Gestión Humana), among others.
### Progressive Implementation of the Environmental Management Plan in other Judicial Circuits Due to the number of buildings and organizations within the Judicial Branch (Poder Judicial), the implementation of an Institutional Environmental Management Plan (Plan de Gestión Ambiental Institucional) is a process that must be carried out progressively. Currently, the Institution has a total of fourteen Judicial Circuits (Circuitos Judiciales), in addition to offices of the Public Prosecutor's Office (Ministerio Público), Public Defense (Defensa Pública), and offices, delegations, and sub-delegations of the Judicial Investigation Agency (Organismo de Investigación Judicial).
The intention, therefore, is to gradually incorporate the various offices until covering all of the Institution's facilities nationwide.
### Conducting Energy Audits of Buildings One of the most significant environmental impacts caused by the Institution is high energy consumption.
In an effort to diagnose the most sensitive areas, the collaboration of the National Power and Light Company (Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz) was requested to conduct energy audits that allow for the identification of critical areas and the establishment of actions to optimize the resource.
### Development of the Occupational Health Plan according to relevant legal standards As part of the implementation of the Environmental Management Plan, the Occupational Health Office (Oficina de Salud Ocupacional) must finalize the development of the Institutional Occupational Health Plan (Plan de Salud Ocupacional Institucional), according to the relevant legal standards.
As indicated by the Occupational Health managers, due to the workload of that area, its completion does not seem possible within a period of less than two years, so it is established as a pending task.
### Development of an Institutional carbon dioxide emissions mitigation program For this first stage of implementation, protocols have been established for vehicle emissions control, as well as the documentation of the Justice in Nature (Justicia en la Naturaleza) program and an energy efficiency program.
The objective is to consolidate these institutional efforts into a carbon footprint mitigation program, which for the moment is established as a pending task.
# Annexes ## Rating of environmental aspects
| Environmental aspect | Rating obtained |
|---|---|
| Fixed source emissions | NA |
| Mobile source emissions | 71% |
| Generation of noise and vibrations from anthropic activities | NA |
| Emissions of ionizing radiation | NA |
| Odor emissions | NA |
| Water consumption | 58% |
| Generation of wastewater | 67% |
| Generation of ordinary solid waste | 92% |
| Paper consumption | 100% |
| Generation of electronic waste | 40% |
| Generation of hazardous solid waste | 88% |
| Generation of infectious waste | NA |
| Use of hazardous substances | NA |
| Management of hydrocarbon-derived products | NA |
| Use of pesticides | NA |
| Use of radioactive substances | NA |
| Consumption of fossil fuels | 29% |
| Consumption of electrical energy | 62% |
| Safety and management of natural disasters | 80% |
Prepared by: Yazmín Carranza Barrantes, 2012.
NA = Not applicable.
### Environmental programs of the Judicial Branch ### Programs ### Justice for Nature Program. [6] The program seeks to develop jointly with the National Power and Light Company (Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz) and the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía) a conservation and landscaping plan on the Judicial Branch's La Soledad Farm (Finca La Soledad) and other judicial circuits of the country, within a concept of sustainable development and as a contribution to Costa Rican society.
The farm, with a total area of 35 hectares, allocates 8 hectares to the project (areas where construction is not feasible, such as the banks of the Porrosatí River, Sajón River, Segundo River, and the Las Flores stream, the margins of water sources and springs (nacientes), as well as all those zones that due to their slope imply high costs if construction were to be attempted, sensitive replanting areas such as the edges of the boulevard and surroundings of the buildings). Additionally, it considers 12570 m2 of potential areas in the different judicial circuits.
A planting density per hectare of 816 trees was set, at a distance of 3.5 x 3.5; this means that in the 8 hectares (which include sensitive replanting areas such as the edges of the boulevard and surroundings of the buildings) approximately 7,000 units between trees and shrubs are required.
*Main native species of the area or that are endangered and can adapt to the area:* Roble Sabana, Corteza Amarilla Jacaranda Cristóbal (Endangered) Níspero Caoba (Endangered) Ron Ron (Endangered) Ojoche (Endangered) Chirraca (Endangered) Ceiba Pochote *Project Stages* **Stage I:** Reforestation of areas with species from the region; additionally, experts in the field assess the planting of endangered species that can adapt to the area, as well as the construction of basic infrastructure (trails, trash cans, location signs for species and for visitors).
**Stage II:** Construction of basic infrastructure for picnics and others (ranches, tables, sanitary services, bridge, and viewpoints).
**Stage III:** Construction of a butterfly garden, sports complex, open-air amphitheater, lakes **Stage IV:** Reforestation of potential areas in the other judicial circuits.
*Project Beneficiaries:* Direct: 375 current employees of the San Joaquín de Flores Judicial City and other Judicial Branch employees who, in their free time, will have access to a recreational place with their families and all the implicit benefits of a project of this nature.
**Indirect:** Schools, high schools in the area which, in a controlled manner, will have access to the project, which would contribute to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility in students through common activities and projects.
In the long term, there will be a gradual and controlled opening for community access to the facilities so that they visit the place and help in the conservation and protection of the resources of La Soledad Farm.
In general terms, grassroots organizations, surrounding communities, companies in the area, and Costa Rican society would also benefit indirectly, since this project is a contribution to environmental conservation, which entails the protection of biodiversity for the conservation of ecosystems and life forms, and fosters a culture of responsibility towards environmental conservation.
### Zero Paper Program.
This program aims to guarantee a swift justice system that dispenses with the use of paper, maximizing the use of technological resources and the application of best practices that contribute to improving the service, reducing the use of paper resources and photocopies in offices.
The Commission responsible for implementing the program began its functions in March 2010 and is composed of four representatives from each of the various sectors of the Judicial Branch.
Doctora Lupita Chávez Cervantes, a member of the Consejo Superior, serves as General Coordinator.
The commitments of this Commission are the following:[7] - Assume leadership and development of policies and strategies to promote the paperless transition of the justice system. - Encourage the use of technology, orality, among others. - Reduce costs for the justice system and collaborate with the environment. - That the uprooting from paper be the means to strengthen the right of users, so that processes receive agile, flexible processing without diminishing the quality of decisions.
*Emergency Plans: Evacuation Plan prepared by Salud Ocupacional.* Evacuation plans for earthquake risk have been prepared for the institution's buildings.
*Initiatives and campaigns.* *Electronic Courts.* This initiative has been developed from the Court-Inter-American Development Bank Program's Office Management component, which produced a process redesign in Labor, Criminal, and Constitutional matters. Currently, as a pilot plan, it is being developed in three judicial offices in the country, with the objective of streamlining their processing, promoting online litigation, the application of orality through a hearing-based process, and the implementation of paperless offices.
The aim is speed and service improvement, as the purpose that will guide three pilot offices starting in October: Juzgado Penal del II Circuito Judicial de San José, (Sede Goicoechea), Juzgado de Trabajo de Cartago, and Sala Constitucional. These offices took on this program, which optimizes the use of technological resources and achieves an improvement in the administration of justice service. Its practical effect is the handling of the process from a virtual desktop, the delivery of notifications through non-traditional means, and the receipt of case files virtually from the Tribunales de Apelación. Similarly, litigants and users could file their claims via email through the online management system, which only requires that the parties appear at the office and request their access code; from there, any procedure or case inquiry is done online, or individuals can appear at the office and the claim document is scanned.[8] This Initiative positively impacts the efficient use of paper resources and transcends the judicial sphere, as the effect also occurs at the level of litigants and large users, who likewise, from their operations centers, will reduce the consumption of paper and other associated implements.
*Actions to reduce paper use within Planes Anuales Operativos.* The Sección de Planes y Presupuesto of the Departamento de Planificación issued circulars N. 006-2010 and its addendum N. 007-2010, addressed to Consejos de Administración, program administrators, heads of responsibility centers, office chiefs, and others involved in the formulation of the Planes Anuales Operativos 2011. Its purpose is to incorporate the policy on paper use reduction as one of the objectives of the Planes Anuales Operativos for the 2011 period (PAO-2011).
Said circular reads verbatim:
“*In Circular 006-2010 of the Departamento de Planificación issued on October 1, 2010, point 5) should read as follows: …**5-** It is important to emphasize that specific objectives, goals, indicators, activities, and coordination must be mandatorily included, related to the thematic axes of Gender, Accessibility, Values, **substitution of paper with technological tools (zero paper),** Self-evaluation and Risks, which must be associated with the previous concepts as appropriate, using the last column of the attached PAO formula.” (the underlining is the addition).”* *Regional Recycling Initiatives, waste management programs, and occasional environmental awareness campaigns.* The various offices and buildings of the judicial circuits have independently sought to resolve the management of ordinary solid waste generated by the offices in their daily operations. Thus, institutional efforts have been identified by administrators and office chiefs, as well as by the Departamento de Servicios Generales and the Proveeduría, who have made contacts with schools to which they deliver the waste for recycling. By way of illustration, such actions are followed in the Buildings of the I and II Circuito Judicial de San José through the Administración and Servicios Generales, as well as in the Ciudad Judicial de San Joaquín de Flores and regional buildings such as Puntarenas. Through this, a percentage of the paper used and discarded by the institution has been recovered for its valorization and subsequent recycling with the managers to whom it is finally delivered.
Similarly, the Departamento de Ciencias Forenses of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (located in the Ciudad Judicial de San Joaquín de Flores) has for several years had a hazardous waste management model, as well as protocols for the collection, treatment, and disposal of infectious materials.
Moreover, various instances regarding awareness about paper use and waste separation, or final disposal of cell phones have existed.
Astorga, A. 2007. Manual de Instrucciones para la elaboración de Planes de Gestión Ambiental en el sector público de Costa Rica. Technical Document, Dirección de Gestión de Calidad Ambiental, Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía de Costa Rica, 104 p.” - 0 - **It was agreed:** To approve the Plan de Gestión Ambiental according to the update submitted by the Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales and to make it known to the División de Gestión de Calidad of the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía. It is understood that the commitment made by the Poder Judicial to fulfill the commitments acquired in this document “Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional” and with what is stated in Decreto Ejecutivo Número 36499-S-MINAET “Reglamento para la Elaboración de Programas de Gestión Ambiental Institucional en el Sector Público de Costa Rica”, is based on the prior analysis carried out by the officials who make up the aforementioned Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales. **The agreement is declared final.**
ARTÍCULO XI ARTÍCULO XI Documento 7375-2013 La servidora Laura Rivera Ballestero, Secretaria Ejecutiva de la Oficina del Magistrado González, en correo electrónico de 26 de junio último, manifestó:
“Con instrucciones del Magistrado Dr. Óscar González Camacho, en su condición de coordinador de la Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales, remito para el conocimiento y aprobación por parte de la Corte Plena, la actualización del Plan de Gestión Ambiental Institucional, el cual es requerido por la División de Gestión de Calidad del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía.” - 0 - El Plan de Gestión Ambiental Institucional que se da cuenta, literalmente dice:
“Introducción La preocupación por los efectos del Cambio Climático, y el conocimiento de la responsabilidad de las acciones humanas en este, ha despertado el interés nacional por promover la conservación de los recursos naturales y disminuir el impacto ambiental de las actividades diarias. Por estas razones Costa Rica se ha unido a gran cantidad de convenios internacionales, entre ellos a la Declaración de Rio sobre el Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (1992) y el Protocolo de Kioto de la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático (1997).
Aunado a esto se ha incluido la variable ambiental, por ejemplo dentro del Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2011-2014 “María Teresa Obregón Zamora”, un apartado refiere al “Ambiente y Ordenamiento Territorial”, donde se pretende “el resguardo del patrimonio ambiental con el crecimiento económico”, promoviendo ser carbono neutrales, trabajando en áreas como energías renovables, uso racional de recursos, ordenamiento territorial, protección de ecosistemas y recurso hídrico (PND 2011-2014).
Cabe destacar la gran cantidad de recursos jurídicos con los que cuenta Costa Rica, que respalda el interés de trabajar por una mejor calidad ambiental, iniciando con la Constitución Política de Costa Rica de 1949, donde se establece en el artículo 50 que “El Estado procurará el mayor bienestar a todos los habitantes del país, organizando y estimulando la producción y el más adecuado reparto de la riqueza. Toda persona tiene derecho a un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado. Por ello, está legitimada para denunciar los actos que infrinjan ese derecho y para reclamar la reparación del daño causado. El Estado garantizará, defenderá y preservará ese derecho. La ley determinará las responsabilidades y las sanciones correspondientes.” De esto se despliegan otra seria de leyes y reglamentos de importancia trascendental para el tema de Gestión Ambiental Institucional como la Ley General de Salud No. 5395, Ley Orgánica del Ambiente No. 7554, Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos No. 8839, entre otros.
La creciente demanda de insumos en el planeta, refiere a mayor producción, consumo, generación de desechos, uso de recursos irracionalmente, cambios de uso del suelo, entre otras situaciones que impactan negativamente los recursos naturales como el agua, aire y suelo; resultando en consecuencias negativas para los ecosistemas y para el ser humano.
Es por esto que se deben llevar a cabo acciones que permitan producir más y consumir menos, ¿Pero cómo es esto posible? Haciendo un uso eficiente de los recursos disponibles, permitiendo mayor aprovechamiento sin reducir la calidad de los servicios necesarios para el diario vivir. Hay que tener presente que cualquier actividad consume recursos, impacta al ambiente y colabora al aumento de emisiones de gases efecto invernadero, por ende aporta al cambio climático. Dicho esto se conoce que las actividades del sector público por ende impactan al ambiente, esto da paso a que se implementen y elaboren acciones encaminadas a la mejora del rendimiento ambiental y una mejora en el uso y aprovechamiento de recursos.
Como respuesta a la necesidad de un manejo integral de la demanda de recursos, se presenta el Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional, que pretende optimizar el uso de recursos que requieren las actividades del Poder Judicial y disminuir la huella de carbono que estas representan.
El Poder Judicial, como institución estatal, debe enfrentar el reto de encauzar su funcionamiento a las exigencias ambientales necesarias, para hacer correcciones y mejoras en el desempeño ambiental de las diversas actividades que desarrolla. Esta iniciativa refleja la sensibilización de las altas jerarquías de este importante Poder de la República, en el tema de la huella ecológica que se produce por parte del conjunto de circuitos y oficinas que lo componen.
Los impactos en el entorno no pueden ser eliminados totalmente, pero si mitigados y controlados de forma tal, que se produzca el menor daño posible. El fin es minimizar los factores contaminantes y maximizar el uso de recurso hídrico, energético y material, entre otros. Tales acciones se verán reflejadas en la disminución de la emisión de contaminantes y en una mayor eficiencia en el uso de los recursos económicos.
El Poder Judicial entiende que el Programa de Gestión Ambiental (PGA) es un instrumento que por obligación legal toda institución debe elaborar y gestionar, su finalidad es la mejora del desempeño ambiental y el control de los impactos ambientales en forma progresiva. No debe ser visualizado como un documento para cumplir un requisito únicamente, sino como un proceso que mejora de forma paulatina y sostenida la calidad ambiental de la institución, y se constituye en insumo valioso para la gestión y toma de conciencia de todos los funcionarios y funcionarias judiciales, de su responsabilidad como personas en las afectaciones al ambiente desde cada puesto de trabajo; pues involucra a todo el conjunto.
El marco legal que da fundamento a este instrumento de gestión ambiental, está conformado por el decreto No. 36499-S-MINAET Reglamento para la Elaboración de Programas de Gestión Ambiental Institucional en el Sector Público de Costa Rica, y obedece a los lineamientos establecidos en la Guía para la Elaboración de los Programas de Gestión Ambiental en el Sector Público de Costa Rica. Además de esto, el artículo 28 de la Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos N. 8839 refiere a la obligación de implementar programas de desempeño ambiental en la prestación de servicios públicos y el desarrollo de hábitos de consumo y manejo adecuado de los residuos.
La finalidad del PGAI, es definir los impactos del Poder Judicial y las actividades requeridas para mitigar estos, mediante la gestión de calidad ambiental, cambio climático y conservación y uso racional de la energía, aunado a esto se pretende este sea una herramienta para que sea posible la implementación de distintos programas y planes ambientales que permitan introducir la variable ambiental en cada aspecto de contratación, planificación y operación administrativa.
Se incluirán ejes trasversales como Sensibilización, capacitación y comunicación, Adquisición de bienes y transferencia tecnológica, finalmente se procurará mantener un sistema de métrica donde se cuente con indicadores seguros, de fácil uso y verificación, que colaboren en el proceso de medición para conocer la situación y el rendimiento ambiental del Poder Judicial.
Para la elaboración del presente documento, la Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales designó a la Licda. María Rosa Castro, jueza del Tribunal Agrario del II Circuito Judicial, y al Lic. Mauricio Chacón, perito judicial 2 del Departamento de Ciencias Forenses del Organismo de Investigación Judicial y a la Bach. Tanara Jiménez se para la actualización del mismo.
La vigencia de cada PGAI es de 5 años, por lo que se debe realizar una actualización para el año 2017, a excepción de que sea necesaria una en menor tiempo por cambios operativos u otra razón que considere la Comisión encargada.
Antecedentes de la Organización.
El desarrollo histórico institucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia inicia desde la misma Independencia de Costa Rica, el 15 de setiembre de 1821, cuando las personas de la época deciden organizarse políticamente y conformar un gobierno propio. Desde el primer texto constitucional emitido el 1° de diciembre de 1821, denominado el Pacto Social Fundamental Interino de Costa Rica y conocido como el Pacto de Concordia, se fijan las bases del actual Estado. Es así como se estableció la Junta Suprema Gubernamental, encargada de ejercer funciones de gobierno, y se crea un Tribunal con la función de administrar justicia, siguiendo las leyes para los pueblos indo-españoles, conocidas como Leyes de Indias, que habían sido emitidas por los gobernantes de España, para regular los intereses del imperio español en territorios americanos; surgiendo el “primer cimiento de la Corte Suprema”[1].
A partir de ese momento, van surgiendo fenómenos sociales, políticos y económicos que van delineando a lo largo de dos siglos, la estructura del Estado actual, el equilibrio en el funcionamiento de los poderes (ejecutivo, legislativo y judicial) y la organización de sus instituciones y dependencias.
Guiada por el principio de independencia judicial visualizado en sus potestades de autogobierno y la dotación de presupuesto propio, la Corte Suprema de Justicia ha debido crecer a lo largo del territorio nacional, conforme a las necesidades reales de cumplir con su función de administrar justicia, y llevar a todas la poblaciones y sectores sociales el fundamental servicio constitucionalmente encomendado.
El Poder Judicial resulta fundamental para la existencia y fortalecimiento de la democracia costarricense y el logro de la paz social, por ello sus funciones resultan indispensables. El artículo 121 inciso 20 de la Constitución Política, estableció la potestad de crear nuevos Tribunales dentro del Poder Judicial en diferentes partes del país, de acuerdo con el criterio de la Corte y la aprobación por parte del Asamblea Legislativa. Motivo de ello, es que a lo largo de su historia, se han ido integrando nuevos despachos y jurisdicciones, que han dado como resultado la presencia de muchas edificaciones de diversas dimensiones a lo largo del territorio nacional.
Función y Organización del Poder Judicial[2] El Poder Judicial de Costa Rica, Supremo Poder de la República, tiene la obligación de hacer respetar las leyes y administrar la justicia; objetivo fundamental que le designa la Constitución Política; asimismo, se dirige por las directrices legales establecidas en la Ley Orgánica del Poder Judicial, Ley número 7333 del 5 de mayo de 1993, que establece en el Artículo 1:
“...Corresponde al Poder Judicial, además de las funciones que la Constitución le señala, conocer de los procesos civiles, penales, penales juveniles, comerciales, de trabajo, contencioso-administrativo y civiles de hacienda, constitucionales, de familia y agrarios, así como de las otras que establezca la Ley; resolver definitivamente sobre ellos y ejecutar las resoluciones que pronuncie, con la ayuda de la Fuerza Pública si fuere necesario”.
Para el cumplimento de estas funciones, el artículo 2 de ese mismo cuerpo normativo refuerza la independencia funcional del Poder Judicial al señalar:
“El Poder Judicial solo está sometido a la Constitución Política y a la Ley. Las resoluciones que dicte, en los asuntos de su competencia, no le impone otras responsabilidades que las expresamente señaladas por los preceptos legislativos. No obstante, la autoridad superior de la Corte prevalecerá sobre su desempeño para garantizar que la administración de justicia sea pronta y cumplida”.
Sustentado en el principio de independencia que se reafirma en el artículo 9 de la Constitución Política, que otorga a este Poder de la República una independencia total y absoluta, y que constituye una garantía de que la justicia se imparte en Costa Rica en estricto apego al espíritu de la Ley; la administración de justicia para evitar arbitrariedades y lograr una pronta y proceso, del que se desprende el derecho de audiencia, de defensa, de igualdad y lealtad procesal, a ser juzgados por tribunales imparciales e independientes, por juicios competentes mediante procedimientos preestablecidos.
Para el logro de sus objetivos, el Poder Judicial conformó una estructura dividida y organizada en tres ámbitos diferentes, que dependen de la Corte Suprema de Justicia; a saber: ámbito jurisdiccional, ámbito auxiliar de justicia y ámbito administrativo, según se ilustra en la figura siguiente:
Figura 1. Organigrama del Poder Judicial Por otra parte, el Plan Estratégico 2007-2011 del Poder Judicial define la misión y visión de la institución de la siguiente manera:
Misión: “Administrar justicia en forma pronta, cumplida, sin denegación y en estricta conformidad con el ordenamiento jurídico, que garanticen calidad en la prestación de servicios para las personas usuarias que lo requieran”.
Visión: “Ser un Poder Judicial que garantice a la persona usuaria el acceso a la justicia y resuelva sus conflictos con modernos sistemas de organización y gestión; compuesto por personal orientado por valores institucionales compartidos, conscientes de su papel en el desarrollo de la nación y apoyados en socios estratégicos.” Unidades de Soporte del PGAI Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales.
Inició funciones el 8 de setiembre de 2009, coordinada por el magistrado Oscar González Camacho, (quien preside); y las magistradas Julia Varela y Carmenmaría Escoto; así como diferentes sectores de jueces de lo Contencioso Administrativo, Agrarios y Civiles. También se integraron funcionarios del Ministerio Público, Servicios Generales, el Departamento de Proveeduría, el Departamento de Tecnología de Información, la Contraloría de Servicios, el Departamento de Ciencias Forenses del Organismo de Investigación Judicial, el Departamento de Prensa y Comunicación, Escuela Judicial, Departamento de Artes Gráficas, Consejo Superior, entre otros.
Mediante las acciones impulsadas por la Comisión, se procura la realización importantes aportes, no sólo a nivel institucional sino también en un planeamiento global de políticas generales y ambientales, con la finalidad de posicionar en la Institución una conciencia clara de lo que interna y externamente se pueda hacer para el mejoramiento de la gestión ambiental.
A través de esta Comisión, se procura instaurar una política general con acciones paralelas inmediatas, lo cual requiere la definición de un diagnóstico que permitirá establecer en qué estado se encuentra este Poder de la República en el tema, conocer la huella ecológica de la institución, la gestión de aspectos como vehículos y el uso de combustibles, gestión de los residuos, consumo de energía, reciclaje, uso de la tecnología, construcción de edificios y temas de reforestación, impulso de la sensibilización ambiental a los funcionarios y funcionarias, entre otros.
Esta comisión se reúne la última semana de cada mes con el fin de conocer los avances y proyectos a realizar para el Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional.
Con el objetivo de intercambiar experiencias y aprovechar las capacidades de algunas instituciones, la Comisión ha establecido contactos con diversos entes tanto gubernamentales como no gubernamentales tales como universidades estatales, Ministerio de Ambiente, Energía y Telecomunicaciones, el Ministerio de la Presidencia y organismos privados, con el fin de coordinar acciones concretas que permitan efectuar un ensamblaje en sus actividades.
La Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales Ambiental elaboró un Plan de Gestión Ambiental Institucional para el período 2011-2013, donde abarcó temas como el consumo responsable del agua, la reducción en el consumo energético, la adecuada gestión de residuos; así como otros temas tales como la construcción de edificios más amigables con el ambiente (arquitectura bioclimática), la mitigación de la huella de carbono institucional, entre otros; y en la actualidad se trabaja en la actualización y puesta en marcha de este Plan.
Comisión de Reciclaje.
Por algunos años se encontró funcionando la Comisión de Reciclaje conformada con funcionarios y funcionarias de la institución preocupados con la gestión de los residuos institucionales. Dicha Comisión inició con la temática de reciclaje y aglutinó las diversas agrupaciones de la institución preocupadas con los impactos que produce la Corte externamente.
Unidad Ambiental Forense del Departamento de Ciencias Forenses, Organismo de Investigación Judicial.
La Unidad Ambiental Forense se crea por iniciativa de la Jefatura del Departamento de Ciencias Forenses del Organismo de Investigación Judicial, a mediados del año 2005. En ese año, se autoriza la creación de una plaza de Químico destinada a atender el tema de delitos ambientales. Esa persona se dedica a realizar un estudio de factibilidad para evaluar la necesidad de desarrollar un laboratorio de esa naturaleza, a la vez que considere el tipo de casos que debían ser atendidos.
El proyecto ambiental forense se inició ofreciendo consultorías y asesoría a autoridades judiciales (principalmente al Ministerio Público), que requieren colaboración respecto de la manera en que debe recolectarse la prueba recabada, para ser remitida para análisis.
A partir del año 2007, se inicia la realización de peritajes ambientales, principalmente relacionados con contaminación por plaguicidas. En el año 2008, las pericias se amplían y se incorporan análisis de aguas residuales, y análisis cualitativo de plaguicidas en cuerpos de agua; manteniendo además la colaboración con muestreos y las asesorías. Además, durante este período se inició el estudio de metodologías para implementación en años siguientes, así como la adecuación del espacio físico y la adquisición de algunos equipos de laboratorio.
En el año 2009, se incorpora un biólogo y un técnico laboratorista forense, quedando constituido el laboratorio por tres personas en la actualidad (1 químico, 1 biólogo y 1 técnico laboratorista), y se continúa con el desarrollo metodológico y la adquisición de instrumentación.
Debe resaltarse que a nivel de América Latina, no se conoce otra estructura equivalente en cuanto a laboratorios forenses dedicada exclusivamente a la atención de delito ambiental.
Escuela Judicial: capacitación en materia ambiental.
La Escuela Judicial de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, dentro de sus múltiples funciones, ha desarrollado en el área ambiental cursos de formación en materia de derecho al ambiente dirigido a funcionarios y funcionarios de diversas áreas que han contribuido a ampliar los conocimientos en esta rama jurídica y la consecuente sensibilización de la población judicial.
Los cursos impartidos son:
· Curso de Derecho Ambiental (introductorio) 2007 · Curso de Derecho Ambiental (introductorio) 2008 · Curso “Derecho Ambiental” en coordinación con el Acuerdo de Cooperación USAID-CCAD 2009 · Curso "Capacitación a capacitadores en Derecho Ambiental: Evaluación, Valoración y Resarcimiento al Daño Ambiental“2010.
POLÍTICA AMBIENTAL DEL PODER JUDICIAL El Poder Judicial es la instancia estatal que por mandato constitucional ejerce la Administración de Justicia dentro del territorio nacional, y por ello conoce, resuelve y ejecuta los procesos judiciales de las diversas jurisdicciones que le son puestas en conocimiento. En el ejercicio de tal función, promueve el uso sostenible de los recursos, previniendo y reduciendo los impactos ambientales generados por sus actividades y cumpliendo la legislación vigente.
Para ejecutar la política ambiental se desarrollan programas con objetivos específicos de gestión de residuos, consumo de energía, consumo y potabilidad de recurso hídrico, capacitación ambiental y participación ciudadana, construcciones sostenibles, compras verdes y responsables, salud ocupacional, manejo de emergencias y conservación de recursos naturales, promoviendo así la adopción de buenas prácticas de gestión ambiental y la mejora continua en todas sus actividades, fomentando la sensibilización, formación y educación en gestión ambiental entre todas y todos las funcionarias y funcionarios AVANCES DE MEJORA AMBIENTAL La iniciativa de la protección de los recursos naturales y el mejoramiento del entorno ha estado presente en la Institución a través de su funcionamiento. Motivo por el cual han surgido acciones y programas desde diversos ámbitos, que afectan positivamente el desempeño ambiental de la administración de justicia.
De seguido serán expuestas las acciones existentes, que se consideran fundamentales para una adecuada gestión ambiental de la organización judicial.
Cuadro N°1 Datos generales de la Institución y de la Comisión Institucional Datos de la institución Institución Poder Judicial Página web poder-judicial.go.cr Correo institucional [email protected] Dirección de oficinas Centrales Investigación Judicial –área de construcción: 28165 m2- y Edificio de los Tribunales de Justicia – área de construcción: 24040 m2-) construcción: 23180 m2) Apartado postal 1-1003 San José Teléfono de oficinas centrales 2295-3000 fax 2257-4498 Jornada de trabajo Juzgados y oficinas diurnas 7:30 a.m. a 4:30 p.m.
Juzgados vespertinos 4:30 p.m a 10.p.m Adicionalmente existen roles efectivos de guardia y disponibilidad las 24 horas, mas cárceles.
Cantidad de edificios 9 ¿?
Número de trabajadores (San José) : 4149 funcionarios Datos del Máximo Jerarca Nombre Zarella Villanueva Correo [email protected] Teléfono Central 2295-3000 Fax - Apartado postal 2-1003 San José Comisión institucional Datos del coordinador del PGAI Nombre Dr. Oscar González Camacho Correo electrónico [email protected] Teléfono 2295-4996 Fax 2257-4498 Apartado postal 2-1003 San José Representantes de la Comisión Institucional Nombre Puesto Departamento / Juzgado Óscar González Camacho Sala Primera Carmenmaría Escoto Fernández Sala Primera Julia Varela Araya Sala Segunda Alejandro López Mc Adams Miembro del Consejo Consejo Superior Ana Eugenia Romero Jenkins Subdirectora Dirección Ejecutiva José Rubén Dimas Portillo Jefe Departamento de Artes Gráficas Lena White Curling Jefa Contraloría de Servicios Mauricio Quirós Chacón Jefe Unidad de Salud Ocupacional Orlando Castrillo Vargas Sub Jefe Dirección de Tecnología de Información Walter Jiménez Sorio Subauditor Departamento de Auditoría Hellen Poveda Montoya Jefa Proceso de Administración de Bienes Malberth Chaves Sanabria Coordinador Unidad de Salud Ocupacional Amanda Madrigal Valerín Letrada Sala Primera Daniel Aguilar Méndez Tribunal Contencioso Administrativo Francia León González Gestora de Capacitación Escuela Judicial Karla Arias Villalobos Letrada Sala Primera Mauricio Chacón Hernandez Perito Judicial Departamento de Ciencias Forenses Patricia Bonilla Rodríguez Profesional en Informática Dirección de Tecnología de la Información Declaración Jurada de Cumplimiento Ambiental Institucional (DJCAI) La suscrita Zarela Villanueva, en mi condición de Presidenta de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, del Poder Judicial me comprometo a cumplir con los compromisos adquiridos en el presente documento “Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional” y con lo consignado en el Decreto Ejecutivo Número 36499-S-MINAET “Reglamento para la Elaboración de Programas de Gestión Ambiental Institucional en el Sector Público de Costa Rica”.
Gestión del aire (Cambio Climático) En un plazo máximo de 5 años se reducirá el consumo de combustibles y de electricidad en un 5%, por medio de la implementación de los programas ambientales correspondientes.
En un plazo máximo de 6 meses se estará cumpliendo el 100% de la norma vigente, por medio del programa ambiental para control de emisiones de vehículos Gestión del Agua En un plazo máximo de 6 meses se cumplirán las regulaciones sobre aguas residuales por medio del protocolo correspondiente.
En un plazo máximo de 2 años se reducirá en un 5% el consumo de agua, mediante la aplicación del programa ambiental correspondiente.
Gestión de suelo y residuos sólidos En un plazo máximo de dos años se tendrá implementado un programa de manejo de residuos que permitirá la valorización de al menos el 20% de los residuos generados en la actualidad, cumpliendo el máximo posible de las regulaciones sobre residuos sólidos ordinarios, por medio del protocolo correspondiente para prevenir y corregir la contaminación ambiental.
En un plazo máximo de dos años, se habrá sensibilizado a la población trabajadora sobre su obligación de separar los residuos para su posterior disposición final.
Gestión de la energía En un plazo máximo de 4 años se estará reduciendo el consumo energético en al menos un 5%, por medio del programa ambiental de eficiencia energética.
Gestión del papel En un plazo máximo de 2 años se reducirá el consumo de papel en un 5%, con la aplicación de las medidas establecidas en los programas respectivos.
Amenazas naturales y antrópicas En un plazo máximo de un año se estará cumpliendo el máximo posible de las regulaciones referente al desarrollo e implementación del Plan de Salud Ocupacional y de los programas de emergencia.
Biotopos (flora y fauna) En un plazo máximo de 6 meses se cuente con la documentación de los planes y programas existentes.
Aumentar la cantidad de especímenes en el área, por medio de aprovechamiento de espacios disponibles.
En un plazo de 2 años se estarán realizando actividades del programa justicia con la naturaleza.
Humano En un plazo máximo de un año, se tendrá diseñados los cursos de capacitación y sensibilización ambiental.
En un plazo máximo de seis meses se habrá comunicado el mecanismo de recepción de quejas, sugerencias, observaciones, etc., en cuanto a la gestión ambiental del Poder Judicial.
En un plazo máximo de seis meses se habrá divulgado la Política Ambiental a nivel Institucional.
Seguridad, salud e higiene ocupacional En un plazo máximo de 3 años se cuente con la documentación de los planes y programas existentes.
Adquisición de bienes (compras verdes) En un plazo de 2 años se Incorporaran al menos cinco criterios de compras verdes en los carteles de licitación, contrataciones directas.
Firma del máximo jerarca Sello de la institución Inventario de Organizaciones El Poder Judicial se encuentra representado en todo el territorio nacional, compone de los siguientes circuitos:
1. San José 2. San José 3. de la Zona Sur (Pérez Zeledón) 4. de la Zona Sur (Corredores) 5. de la Zona Sur (Sede Golfito) 6. de Zona Sur (Sede Osa) 7. de Alajuela 8. de Alajuela (San Carlos) 9. de Alajuela (San Ramón) 10. de Alajuela (Sede Grecia) 11. Circuito Judicial de Heredia 12. Cuidad Judicial San Joaquín de Flores 13. Circuito Judicial de Cartago 14. Circuito Judicial de Cartago (Sede Turrialba) 15. Circuito Judicial de Puntarenas 16. Zona Atlántica (Limón) 17. Zona Atlántica (Pococí) 18. de Guanacaste (Libería) 19. de Guanacaste Nicoya 20. de Guanacaste (Sede Santa Cruz) En lo que respecta a infraestructura, se cuenta con edificios propios y en algunos casos es necesario alquilar ya que se requiere más espacio, aproximadamente son 60 edificaciones propias y 206 edificios alquilados. En el siguiente cuadro se puede observar la cantidad de edificios por Área Regional:
Circuito Judicial Edificios Cantidad de Funcionarios Propios Alquilados 12 49 4344 2 1188 4 1 538 Carlos) 3 8[3] 336 Ramón) 1 3 218 (Sede Grecia) 2 108 Circuito Judicial de Cartago 1 18 489 Circuito Judicial de Cartago (Sede Turrialba) 2 128 Circuito Judicial de Heredia 2 13 550 Ciudad Judicial San Joaquín de Flores 12 569 Circuito Judicial de Puntarenas 1 19 528 2 2 320 2 4[4] 177 2 76 1 1 65 (Liberia) 2 14 380 (Nicoya) 1 5 167 Santa Cruz) 2 213 (Pococí) 3 6 377 (Limón) 3 2 462 TOTAL 60 145 11233 Diagnóstico Ambiental Inicial Síntesis del diagnóstico Aspecto Ambiental Impacto Ambiental identificado Significancia Síntesis de la situación ambiental Indicadores Aguas residuales Contaminación del recurso hídrico.
Pérdida del hábitat acuático. Generación de gases de efecto invernadero.
Medio Las aguas residuales se generan a partir del uso diario de inodoros, duchas, lavatorios y sodas en los edificios. De acuerdo con las actividades de donde proceden se consideran de tipo ordinarias.
Según estimaciones, en el Primer Circuito Judicial, ubicado en San José se generan 18 684,4 m3 al mes de aguas residuales (Edificio de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, Edificio del Organismo de Investigación Judicial y Edificio de los Tribunales de Justicia), mientras que en el edificio del Segundo Circuito Judicial, ubicado en Goicoechea, se generan 45 821,6 m3 al mes.
El volumen de agua residual se obtiene mediante una estimación de consumo por número de personas, ya que no se llevan registros de volumen generado.
Medidas de prevención:
Se establecieron actividades de cumplimiento para funcionarios y funcionarias en general, estas incluyen:
Prevenir la contaminación de fuentes de agua potable y pluvial.
Mantenimiento de las trampas de grasa ubicadas en las pilas y fregaderos de los edificios.
Diagnóstico de los desinfectantes y otras sustancias químicas, empleadas en limpieza y otras actividades, para evaluar la posibilidad de sustitución por otros menos contaminantes.
Análisis de las aguas residuales generadas en los edificios. En caso de un incumplimiento de uno o varios parámetros se llevan a cabo las acciones correctivas necesarias para que los valores monitoreados no excedan los límites permisibles.
Disposición final: Los edificios cuentan con red de alcantarillado sanitario en donde son dispuestas las aguas residuales.
Reportes anuales de análisis de las aguas residuales.
Agua potable Agotamiento del recurso hídrico Alto El agua potable es suministrada por Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados para los edificios de los primero y segundo Circuitos Judiciales de San José. Las principales fuentes de uso son inodoros, duchas, soda, y el consumo por parte de los trabajadores y personas usuarias.
Actualmente no se lleva registro de volúmenes de agua consumidos, solo se tiene datos de gasto por consumo a nivel de todo el Poder Judicial, por ende no se cuentan con los datos específicos de consumo por edificio así como por trabajador.
Se establecen dentro de las tareas pendientes iniciar con el registro de los metros cúbicos consumidos por edificio.
Se han realizado medidas de ahorro como:
Campañas para reducción de consumo como cerrar tubo, al lavarse los dientes, las manos y platos.
Procedimientos para identificar y reparar fugas.
Evitar prácticas que utilizan grandes volúmenes de agua, principalmente en la limpieza.
Realizar el mantenimiento del sistema de abastecimiento y de verificación de la calidad del agua.
Realizar programas de sensibilización utilizando rotulación y sistemas de información sobre medidas y metas de ahorro para los empleados y visitantes del lugar.
Metros cúbicos consumidos mensualmente por edificación.
Registro del programa de mantenimiento preventivo y correctivo.
Cumplimiento de los parámetros establecidos para la potabilidad de agua.
Registro de los cursos y actividades de sensibilización impartidos.
Emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (de fuentes móviles y/o fijas) Contaminación del aire, lluvia ácida, generación de gases de efecto invernadero.
Disminución de la capa de ozono.
Bajo Las emisiones al aire provienen de la flotilla vehicular con la que cuenta el Poder Judicial.
Son producto de los combustibles fósiles utilizados y están compuestas de monóxido de carbono, óxido de nitrógeno, dióxido de azufre y dióxido de carbono, los cuales provocan la lluvia ácida y son los gases responsables del efecto invernadero.
Medidas de prevención:
Se establecieron procedimientos para el mantenimiento preventivo de las unidades, como revisión técnica vehicular.
Se están elaborando programas para reducción y mitigación de gases de efecto invernadero así como programas de gestión de la energía.
Se iniciará con la recopilación de información sobre consumo energético para llevar informes, revisiones y controles.
Estimación de las emisiones de CO2 por efecto del consumo de electricidad.
Estimación de las emisiones de CO2 por efecto del consumo de combustibles.
Consumo de Combustibles Fósiles Consumo de recursos no renovables.
Contaminación del aire, generación de gases de efecto invernadero.
Bajo Los combustibles fósiles son utilizados únicamente para la flota vehicular de los edificios de los primero y segundo Circuitos Judiciales de San José. Actualmente se utilizan el diesel y la gasolina.
Medidas de ahorro:
Se establecieron medidas para el mantenimiento preventivo de la flota vehicular.
Se creó un plan de medidas de ahorro de combustible, para implementar en un periodo a corto plazo.
Consumo total de combustibles por edificio.
(litros de combustible consumidos por mes) Consumo de energía Destrucción de los bosques (represas).
Contaminación atmosférica por el uso de combustibles fósiles para la generación eléctrica.
Alto La energía eléctrica es suministrada por la Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz para los edificios del primer y segundo Circuito Judiciales de San José. Las prácticas relacionadas con el consumo de energía son el uso de computadoras, impresoras, fotocopiadoras, iluminación, refrigeración y aire acondicionado, principalmente.
Entre las medidas establecidas para el ahorro energético se encuentran:
Se realizaron programas de sensibilización para la optimización en el uso de la iluminación, aire acondicionado y otros aparatos eléctricos y dispositivos electrónicos.
Se realizan programas de limpieza para los sistemas de iluminación.
Se configuraron las computadoras, impresoras y otros equipos electrónicos en modo de ahorro de energía.
Consumo total de electricidad por edificación al mes.
Consumo de papel Disminución del recurso, incentivando la tala de árboles excesiva y pérdida de hábitat.
Medio El papel es uno de los recursos más utilizados dentro de la institución, su consumo se realiza en las diferentes actividades administrativas, oficinas, entre otros.
En el último semestre del año 2011 se entregaron en total 7369 resmas en el Primer circuito judicial de San José, mientras que en el Segundo Circuito Judicial se entregaron 2400 resmas.
Medidas de ahorro de consumo:
En el tema de prevención se establecen medidas para evitar las impresiones innecesarias, maximizando el uso de tecnología en sustitución del papel, como el uso correo electrónico y de la intranet para las comunicaciones internas. Se disminuyo la impresión excesiva de materiales de promoción.
Para reducir el uso de papel se establecieron medidas más eficientes de impresión, utilizar las dos caras del papel, utilizar papel reciclado, emplear papeles impresos por una cara como borradores.
Se continúa con el control de cantidad de papel suministrado a los edificios.
En el 2010 inició el programa cero papel del Poder Judicial. Con el objetivo de reducir en forma significativa el consumo, este programa promueve sustitución del papel mediante la aplicación de recursos tecnológicos, además de establecer buenas prácticas para el uso racional del papel.
Consumo mensual de papel por despacho:
Resmas de papel consumidas por mes.
Generación de residuos sólidos (ordinarios, peligrosos y de manejo especial Contaminación del suelo o el agua Generación de gases de efecto invernadero.
Disminución del recurso y pérdida del hábitat.
Alto Los residuos que se generan en los edificios del primero y segundo Circuito Judicial de San José se clasifican en ordinarios y de manejo especial, estos provienen de las actividades diarias que se llevan a cabo en los edificios.
Los residuos ordinarios generados son papel y cartón, envases plásticos y briks, latas de aluminio, vidrio y otros residuos sólidos ordinarios que no se clasifican y se entregan a un gestor para su disposición final.
Los residuos de manejo especial son cartuchos y tóner, fluorescentes, baterías y electrónicos.
Los datos de la cantidad de los residuos sólidos que se separan por mes, no se toman de forma periódica, por lo que se cuenta únicamente con datos dispersos de materiales entregados en ciertos meses del último año. Estos materiales fueron plástico, cartón, tóner, baterías y papel.
Disposición final:
Se establecieron sistemas de separación de los residuos ordinarios y se gestiona su recolección con entes autorizados. Además se están incorporando mejores controles de las cantidades que se generan para reciclaje.
Está en proceso la colocación de contenedores identificados para la adecuada segregación de los residuos.
-Cantidad mensual de residuos recolectados separadamente por edificio según categoría (vidrio, papel, cartón…)
-Cantidad de residuos electrónicos entregados a gestor autorizados por año.
-Cantidad de tóner, fluorescentes, baterías entregadas a gestores autorizados por año.
-Cantidad de áreas en los edificios que cuentan con puntos de separación de los residuos.
-Número de capacitaciones realizadas anualmente.
Compras verdes Bajo Se evaluaron los procesos de compra y adquisición de bienes y servicios.
Se comunicó la política ambiental a los trabajadores encargados de la preparación de los carteles de licitación, contratación y compras directas y dar capacitación sobre la inclusión de criterios de desempeño ambiental en las contrataciones.
- Porcentaje de funcionarios y funcionarias del Departamento de Proveeduría a las que se les comunicó la política ambiental.
-Número de proveedores, y participantes en los procesos de adquisición de bienes y servicios que hubieren recibido la comunicación de la política ambiental.
-Porcentaje de funcionarios que hubieran recibido capacitación en el tema de procesos de compras y servicios con criterios de desempeño ambiental.
-Porcentaje de compras de bienes y servicios bajo cualquier modalidad, en que fueron evaluados criterios de desempeño ambiental.
Paisaje urbano y natural Impacto ambiental por mal manejo de paisaje Bajo Se estableció el Programa justicia con la naturaleza al cual se le está dando seguimiento. Este consiste en un plan de conservación y ornamentación de la finca La Soledad la cual pertenece al Poder Judicial y de otros circuitos judiciales del país.
Cantidad de actividades del programa realizadas por año Participación ciudadana Daño al ambiente humano y arqueológico Bajo Se establecieron espacios de comunicación para consultas, quejas o sugerencias sobre la gestión ambiental.
Se anunció en forma visible y permanente la política ambiental y el plan de gestión ambiental de la institución.
Cantidad de funcionarios capacitados por año.
Seguridad salud e higiene ocupacional Recursos humanos Bajo Se debe finalizar la elaboración del Plan de Salud Ocupacional Institucional, según las normas legales pertinentes.
Documentación de los programas de Seguridad salud e higiene ocupacional.
Desastres Naturales Daño ambiental por inadecuada prevención de desastres Bajo Junto con las Oficinas de Salud Ocupacional, se realizaron planes de prevención, preparación y evacuación en caso de una emergencia o un posible desastre.
Programa de atención de emergencias elaborado.
Documentación de los canales de comunicación con los vecinos de las edificaciones.
Legislación ambiental Se realizó una revisión para establecer cuál era el marco legal que debía acatar el Poder Judicial en materia ambiental.
Se incorporaron los lineamientos de la legislación vigente dentro del plan de gestión ambiental institucional junto con las medidas ambientales necesarias para el cumplimiento de la legislación.
Se realizan revisiones semestrales para identificar la nueva legislación ambiental y así integrarla al plan de gestión ambiental.
Registro semestral de la revisión y actualización de la legislación.
Alcance del PGAI El presente Programa pretende abarcar el I y II Circuito Judicial en el año 2013, para integrar en el 2014 a la Ciudad Judicial de San Joaquín de Flores e iniciar esfuerzos regionales.
El Plan pretende abarcar a mediano plazo, las 162 (55 Edificaciones propias y 107 alquiladas, logrando sensibilizar a los funcionarios judiciales que según Ley de Presupuesto N° 9103 Año 2013, Presupuesto Ordinario y Extraordinario de la Republica para el Ejecución Económico 2013[5], el Poder Judicial cuenta con 11.233 servidores (plazas ordinarias 10.793 y extraordinarias 440).
De acuerdo a un análisis realizado por la Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales, se realizó un cuestionario a cada administración regional, se analizaron variables alusivas al impacto ambiental de cada administración, el cuestionario consistió en 18 preguntas, las cuales se dividen en Datos Generales, Aguas Residuales, Agua de consumo, Combustible, Energía, Recurso Humano, entre otros, el puntaje obtenido, se relacionó con la cantidad de funcionarios, edificios y la existencia de alguna subcomisión ambiental, con el fin de conocer la facilidad de implementación del PGAI en cada una de las Regionales. De lo cual se recomienda iniciar la implementación en Grecia, Turrialba y Santa Cruz. Luego proceder con Osa, Golfito, Nicoya, Corredores, San Carlos y San Ramón, los cuales, exceptuando San Carlos, cuentan con un impacto ambiental negativo tendiendo a alto, por lo que es necesario se tomen medidas al respecto.
En una etapa intermedia se puede integrar a las Regionales de Pérez Zeledón, Alajuela, Limón, Pococí y Puntarenas, finalizando con Cartago. El proceso se vería de la siguiente manera:
Diagnósticos específicos: Diagnóstico en Eficiencia Energética e Inventario de Emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero Diagnóstico en Eficiencia Energética Se encuentra en coordinación con la CNFL la realización del diagnóstico para el I y II Circuito Judicial en San José, se pretende iniciar en el año 2013, con el fin de tomar acciones al respecto durante 2014 y 2015. Posteriormente se coordinará para diagnosticar la situación de otras Áreas Regionales.
Inventario de Emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero Definición de responsable y alcance del inventario La Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales es la responsable de realizar el inventario de emisiones, estas se realizarán en los Circuitos Judiciales I y II, anualmente. El primer inventario es realizado en el año 2013, tomando en cuenta los registros del 2012.
Identificación de Emisiones Se clasifican en directas e indirectas, no se calcularán las emisiones fugitivas.
Emisiones directas:
· Flota vehicular del poder judicial: Es conocido que el sector transporte es el principal responsable de emisión de Gases de Efecto Invernadero (GEI) a la atmósfera, por su consumo masivo de hidrocarburos, es fundamental analizar el consumo institucional y lo que representa por concepto de emisiones a la atmósfera.
Cuadro. Consumo anual de Diesel y Gasolina de fuentes móviles I Circuito Litros totales (l) Dióxido de carbono Metano Metano Óxido nitroso Óxido nitroso Kg de CO2 equivalente (kg CO2e) Toneladas de CO2 equivalente (ton CO2) (kg CO2) (g CH4) (kg CH4) (g N2O) (kg N2O) Diesel 176303,09 474255,31 24964,52 24,96 24964,52 24,96 482518,57 482,52 Gasolina 426651,23 964231,78 459503,37 459,5 44585,05 44,59 987702,72 987,7 Total 602954,32 1438487,09 484467,89 484,46 69549,57 69,55 1470221,29 1470,22 Cuadro. Consumo anual de Diesel y gasolina de fuentes móviles II Circuito Litros totales (l) Dióxido de carbono Metano Metano Óxido nitroso Óxido nitroso Kg de CO2 equivalente (kg CO2e) Toneladas de CO2 equivalente (t CO2e) (kg CO2) (g CH4) (kg CH4) (g N2O) (kg N2O) Diesel 3.143,33 8455,5577 445,1 0,45 445,1 0,45 8602,88 8,6 Gasolina 5464,14 12348,96 5884,88 5,88 571 0,57 12649,55 12,65 Total 8.607,47 20.804,52 6.329,98 6,33 1.016,10 1,02 21.252,43 21,25 Figura. Consumo de combustible, respecto al diesel, 2012 I y Fuente. Elaboración Propia, 2013.
· Plantas de emergencia generadoras de electricidad: El I Circuito Judicial cuenta con 4 plantas generadoras, las cuales trabajan con Diesel, su consumo de combustible varia respecto a los cortes eléctricos que se realicen a nivel nacional, aunque cuenta con un consumo base, que es el de mantenimiento, ya que estas plantas se encienden 1 vez al mes durante una hora, para asegurar el funcionamiento del mismo. Para el cálculo de emisiones se toma en cuenta el consumo de Diésel para el 2012, reportado por proveeduría, a continuación los resultados, Cuadro. Cálculo de emisiones de GEI para I Circuito Judicial.
Diesel (Comercial / institucional) Litros totales (l) Dióxido de carbono (kg CO2) Metano (kg CH4) Óxido nitroso (kg N2O) Kilogramos de dióxido de carbono equivalente (kg CO2e) Toneladas de dióxido de carbono equivalente (t CO2e) 3.788 10189,72 1,38 0,08 10244,17 10,24 Fuente. Elaboración Propia con datos de Proveeduría y DIGECA, 2013.
Emisiones indirectas:
· Electricidad: Según reportes del ICE, para el finales del año 2009 el 95,9% de la generación eléctrica, provenía de fuentes renovables, mientras que un 4,1% proviene de combustibles fósiles. El aprovechamiento por fuente es de 84% hidroeléctrica, 8% geotérmica, 5% eólica, 3% biomasa. (ICE, 2012).
De acuerdo a los datos brindados por la Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz, según el consumo eléctrico de los edificios del I y II Circuito Judicial de San José para el año 2012, se obtienen los siguientes datos, # Edificio/ Dependencia Consumo de Energía (kWh/mes) Demanda máxima (kW) Importe (¢/mes) Área fisica (m2) Indicadores Consumo de energía eléctrica por área física por mes (kWh/m2/mes) Kilogramos de dióxido de carbono equivalente por mes (kg CO2e/mes) 1 Corte Suprema de Justicia 71,63 136,76 ₡7.331.723 16281 0,00 4,01 2 OIJ Anexo A, B y C 198,69 448,20 ₡20.904.555 31373 0,01 11,13 3 Tribunales de Justicia I Circuito 92,95 232,94 ₡9.136.667 24040 0,00 5,21 4
Anexo D
3,76 ₡347.560 1428 0,00 0,21 5 Tribunales de Justicia II Circuito Goicochea 112,95 273,28 ₡10.522.118 23180 0,00 6,33 6 Tribunales II Circuito edificio Motorola 28,43 130,55 ₡2.846.629 4900 0,01 1,59 TOTAL 508,43 448,20 ₡51.089.253 101201,49 - 28,47 Fuente: Elaboración propia con datos de CNFyL y DIGECA, 2013.
· Aires Acondicionados: Se consideran dentro de los emisores de gases ya que estos utilizan gases refrigerantes, que se conocen por ser grandes contaminantes cuenta con 5 Aires Acondicionados de 12000 BTU 3 Aires Acondicionados de 14000 BTU 1 Aire Acondicionados de 15000 BTU 6 Aires Acondicionados de 18000 BTU 2 Aires Acondicionados de 24000 BTU 1 Aire Acondicionado de 36000 BTU 1 Aire Acondicionado de 48000 BTU 20 Aires Acondicionados tipo Ventana · Otros Si bien es cierto los residuos sólidos, las compras de insumos y la generación de aguas residuales, aportan emisiones de Gases Efecto Invernadero a la atmósfera, no serán considerados dentro del cálculo.
Sin embargo cabe mencionar que existe un programa de reciclaje que permite la reducción de emisiones por este concepto, compras verdes que colabora en la reducción de emisiones, y en cuanto a las Aguas Residuales (Negras y jabonosas) del circuito I y II, se disponen al alcantarillado sanitario de San José, por lo que no es posible generar datos contundentes.
Gases evaluados · Dióxido de carbono (CO2) · Metano (CH4) · Óxido Nitroso (N2O) · Halocarbonos (HFC): Por uso de sistemas de aire acondicionado y refrigeradores.
CÁLCULO DE EMISIONES GENERAL Cuadro. Emisiones de gases efecto invernadero 2012 para I y II Circuito Judicial de San José.
Emisiones kg CO2e kg CO2 kg CH4 kg N2O Transporte 1.491.417,72 1459291,61 490,79 70,57 Electricidad 341,66 - - - Plantas de emergencia 10244,17 10189,72 1,38 0,08 Total 1.502.003,55 1469481,33 492,17 70,65 Fuente: Elaboración propia con datos de proveeduría, CNFL y fórmulas de DIGECA, 2013.
Actualmente se trabaja en el cálculo de las emisiones de gases por concepto de uso de aires acondicionados, al encontrarse en proceso no se presenta en este documento.
Dentro de las tareas pendientes de mejora ambiental dentro del Plan Institucional se establece:
· Elaboración de un programa Institucional de mitigación de emisiones de dióxido de carbono.
Para esta primera etapa de implementación, se han establecido protocolos para el control de emisiones de vehículos, así como el establecimiento de la documentación del programa Justicia en la Naturaleza y un programa de eficiencia energética. Se plantea el objetivo de consolidar esos esfuerzos institucionales en un programa de mitigación de huella de carbono, el cual por el momento se establece como tarea pendiente. A pesar de contar con algunos avances en esta materia, se considera como pendiente a trabajar máximo en el 2013, contar con el cálculo de las emisiones para el I y II circuito Judicial y si es posible integrar los esfuerzos de recolección de datos a las áreas regionales en ese mismo año.
Plan de Acción Cuadro. Matriz Tema Aspecto ambiental Prioridad Objetivos Metas ambientales Plazo estimado de cumplimiento Indicadores Medidas ambientales Presupuesto Responsables Gestión del agua Aguas residuales Medio Cumplir con la legislación sobre vertido de aguas residuales Cumplir con todos los parámetros los establecidos en la legislación de vertido y reúso de aguas residuales.
Diciembre 2012 Límites máximos establecidos para parámetros universales de aguas residuales vertidas en alcantarillado sanitario Reporte de análisis anual.
Programa ambiental para aguas residuales Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario.
Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales / Administraciones Regionales Agua potable Alto Reducir el consumo de agua Disminución del consumo de agua en un 5% Diciembre 2012 Metros cúbicos consumidos mensualmente por edificación.
Registro del programa de mantenimiento preventivo y correctivo.
Cumplimiento de los parámetros establecidos para la potabilidad de agua.
Registro de los cursos y actividades de sensibilización impartidos.
Programa ambiental para consumo de agua Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario.
Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales Gestión del aire Emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero.
Bajo Disminuir emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero Disminuir consumo de combustibles en un 5%.
Disminuir consumo de electricidad en un 5%.
Diciembre 2013 Consumo total de combustibles (litros de combustible consumidos por mes) Programa ambiental para Emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario.
Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales/Departamento de transportes.
Consumo de Combustibles Fósiles Bajo Reducir el consumo de combustibles fósiles Disminuir consumo de combustibles en un 5% Diciembre 2014 Consumo total de combustibles (litros de combustible consumidos por mes) Programa ambiental de consumo de combustibles fósiles.
Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario.
Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales/Departamento de transportes.
Gestión de la energía Consumo de energía Alto Reducir el consumo de electricidad Disminuir consumo de electricidad en un 5% Diciembre 2013 Consumo total de electricidad por edificación al mes.
Programa ambiental de eficiencia energética.
Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario.
Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales.
Gestión del papel Consumo de papel Medio Reducir consumo de papel Disminuir el consumo de papel en un 5% Diciembre 2013 Resmas de papel consumidas por mes.
Programa ambiental de consumo de papel.
Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario.
Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales.
Gestión de residuos sólidos y líquidos.
Generación de residuos sólidos (ordinarios, peligrosos y de manejo especial) Alto Valorizar residuos sólidos generados.
Valorización de al menos un 20% de los residuos ordinarios generados.
Diciembre 2014 Porcentaje de residuos valorizados por año.
Programa ambiental de residuos sólidos.
Programa ambiental de residuos especiales.
Presupuesto depende de lo que se asigne en presupuesto ordinario.
Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales.
Incorporar sistemas de separación de residuos sólidos ordinarios y especiales.
Instalar sistemas para separar residuos sólidos en todos los edificios dentro del alcance.
Kilogramos de residuos separados al mes por edificio.
Cantidad de residuos electrónicos entregados a gestor autorizados por año.
Cantidad de tóner, fluorescentes, baterías entregadas a gestores autorizados por año.
Cantidad de áreas en los edificios que cuentan con puntos de separación de los residuos.
Sensibilizar a los funcionarios sobre adecuada gestión de residuos sólidos.
Capacitar a todos los funcionarios de los edificios incluidos dentro del alcance.
Cantidad de capacitaciones realizadas por año.
Gestión ambiental Compras verdes Bajo Incluir criterios de desempeño ambiental en los procesos de compras de bienes y servicios.
Incorporar cinco criterios de compras verdes en los carteles de licitación, contrataciones directas Diciembre 2014 Porcentaje de funcionarios y funcionarias del Departamento de Proveeduría a las que se les comunicó la política ambiental.
Numero de proveedores, y participantes en los procesos de adquisición de bienes y servicios que hubieren recibido la comunicación de la política ambiental.
Porcentaje de funcionarios que hubieran recibido capacitación en el tema de procesos de compras y servicios con criterios de desempeño ambiental.
Porcentaje de compras de bienes y servicios bajo cualquier modalidad, en que fueron evaluados criterios de desempeño ambiental.
Programa ambiental de Compras verdes No se requiere inversión económica.
Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales/Departamento de proveeduría/ Servicios generales Biotipo y ecosistemas Paisaje urbano y natural Bajo Dar seguimiento a los programas de justicia con la naturaleza.
Realizar actividades establecidas en el programa de justicia con la naturaleza.
Diciembre 2014 Cantidad de actividades del programa realizadas por año Programa de Justicia con la naturaleza.
No se requiere inversión económica Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales Humano Participación ciudadana Bajo Realizar cursos de capacitación y sensibilización Comunicar el mecanismo de divulgación de quejas.
Divulgar la política ambiental de la institución.
Capacitar a todos los funcionarios sobre el tema ambiental.
Diciembre 2014 Cantidad de funcionarios capacitados por año.
Programa ambiental de participación ciudadana Requiere de inversión minina.
Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales / Departamento de Tecnología de Información / Contraloría de Servicios Comunicar a todos los funcionarios el mecanismo de divulgación de quejas.
Divulgar a todos los funcionarios la política ambiental Humano Seguridad salud e higiene ocupacional Bajo Documentar planes de salud ocupacional.
Tener documentados todos los planes y programas de Seguridad salud e higiene ocupacional Diciembre 2015 Documentación de los programas de Seguridad salud e higiene ocupacional.
Realizar los procedimientos de seguridad, salud e higiene ocupacional en conjunto con la oficina de Salud ocupacional.
Presupuesto ordinario. Inversión mínima.
Oficina de Salud Ocupacional / Departamento de Gestión Humana Amenazas/riesgos naturales y antrópicos Desastres Naturales Bajo Programa ambiental para la prevención y atención de desastres naturales.
Cumplir con todos los estándares establecidos en las regulaciones en el tema de prevención de desastres.
Diciembre 2012 Programa de atención de emergencias elaborado.
Documentación de los canales de comunicación con los vecinos de las edificaciones.
Programa ambiental de amenazas naturales.
No se requiere inversión económica solo de recurso humano.
Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales Gestión ambiental Legislación ambiental media Continuar con el programa de revisión y actualización de la legislación ambiental.
Actualizar toda la legislación en materia ambiental.
Diciembre 2012 Registro semestral de la revisión y actualización de la legislación.
Programa ambiental de legislación ambiental No se requiere inversión económica solo de recurso humano.
Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales Se determina que los programas prioritarios a implementar por su prioridad económica, temporal y de impacto ambiental, son en las áreas de agua de consumo humano, consumo de energía, generación de residuos, seguido de los programas definidos como de prioridad media, los de aguas residuales, consumo de papel y legislación ambiental. Se determinan como baja prioridad las variables de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero y consumo de combustibles fósiles, así como los programas de compras verdes, paisaje urbano y natural, participación ciudadana, seguridad salud e higiene ocupacional y la variable de Desastres Naturales.
Para la consecución de los objetivos esbozados en el Programa de Gestión Ambiental, se han generado nueve programas ambientales independientes, que en su conjunto constituyen los diversos ejes de acción para la atención de los impactos ambientales que, producto de sus actividades cotidianas, genera el Poder Judicial.
Los programas ambientales considerados son los siguientes:
Siglas (*) Nombre del Programa P-CAA-PGA-PAE-001 Programa ambiental para aguas residuales P-CAA-PGA-PAE-002 Programa ambiental para agua de consumo P-CAA-PGA-PAE-003 Programa ambiental para control de la flota vehicular P-CAA-PGA-PAE-004 Programa ambiental para la prevención y atención de desastres naturales P-CAA-PGA-PAE-005 Programa ambiental de eficiencia energética P-CAA-PGA-PAE-006 Programa ambiental para la gestión de los residuos sólidos ordinarios P-CAA-PGA-PAE-007 Programa ambiental para la gestión de los residuos especiales P-CAA-PGA-PAE-008 Programa ambiental para la adquisición de bienes y servicios amigables con el ambiente P-CAA-PGA-PAE-009 Programa ambiental para el consumo de papel P-CAA-PGA-PAE-010 Programa ambiental para la revisión y actualización de la legislación ambiental vigente P-CAA-PGA-PAE-011 Programa ambiental de participación ciudadana y capacitación (*): Las siglas corresponden a: P= Protocolo, CAA= Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales, PGA= Plan de Gestión Ambiental, PAE= Protocolo Ambiental Específico.
El detalle de los programas realizados se presenta en el anexo X Tareas Pendientes de mejora ambiental Creación de una dependencia encargada de la gestión ambiental de la institución con personal idóneo.
Una vez elaborado y puesto en marcha el PGA Institucional, resulta indispensable consolidar una instancia encargada de la operatividad del sistema.
En la actualidad, la labor ha sido realizada por la Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales, la cual integra a funcionarios que, a tiempo parcial, se dedican a atender estos asuntos. Sin embargo, para garantizar el éxito y la mejora continua es evidente la necesidad de una oficina formalmente constituida que cuente con personal idóneo y conocimiento del tema, el cual trabaje de manera coordinada con áreas directamente relacionadas con su quehacer tales como el Departamento de Planificación, el Departamento de Tecnología de Información, la Oficina de Salud Ocupacional del Departamento de Gestión Humana entre otros Implementación del Plan de Gestión Ambiental en otros Circuitos Judiciales de manera progresiva Debido a la cantidad de edificios y organizaciones con que cuenta el Poder Judicial, la implementación de un Plan de Gestión Ambiental Institucional es un proceso que debe realizarse de manera progresiva. En la actualidad, la Institución cuenta con un total de catorce Circuitos Judiciales, además de dependencias del Ministerio Público, Defensa Pública y oficinas, delegaciones y subdelegaciones del Organismo de Investigación Judicial.
Se pretende entonces ir incorporando paulatinamente los distintos despachos hasta abarcar la totalidad de las instalaciones con que cuenta la Institución a nivel nacional.
Elaboración de Auditorías energéticas de las edificaciones Uno de los impactos ambientales más significativos provocados por la Institución es el elevado consumo de energía.
Con el afán de diagnosticar las áreas más sensibles, se solicitó la colaboración de la Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz para llevar a cabo auditorías energéticas que permitan identificar las áreas críticas y establecer acciones para optimizar el recurso.
Elaboración del Plan de Salud Ocupacional según normas legales pertinentes Como parte de la implementación del Plan de Gestión Ambiental, la Oficina de Salud Ocupacional debe finalizar la elaboración del Plan de Salud Ocupacional Institucional, según las normas legales pertinentes.
Según señalaron los encargados de Salud Ocupacional, debido a la carga de trabajo que mantiene dicha área, no parece posible la finalización de mismo en un plazo inferior a los dos años, por lo que se establece como tarea pendiente.
Elaboración de un programa Institucional de mitigación de emisiones de dióxido de carbono Para esta primera etapa de implementación, se han establecido protocolos para el control de emisiones de vehículos, así como el establecimiento de la documentación del programa Justicia en la Naturaleza y un programa de eficiencia energética.
Se plantea el objetivo de consolidar esos esfuerzos institucionales en un programa de mitigación de huella de carbono, el cual por el momento se establece como tarea pendiente.
Anexos Calificación de aspectos ambientales Aspecto ambiental Calificación obtenida Emisiones de fuentes fijas NA Emisiones de fuentes móviles 71% Generación de ruido y vibraciones por actividades antrópicas NA Emisiones de radiaciones ionizantes NA Emisiones de olores NA Consumo de agua 58% Generación de aguas residuales 67% Generación de residuos sólidos ordinarios 92% Consumo de papel 100% Generación de residuos electrónicos 40% Generación de residuos sólidos peligrosos 88% Generación de residuos infectocontagiosos NA Uso de sustancias peligrosas NA Manejo de productos derivados de hidrocarburos NA Uso de plaguicidas NA Uso de sustancias radioactivas NA Consumo de combustibles fósiles 29% Consumo de energía eléctrica 62% Seguridad y manejo de desastres naturales 80% Elaborado por: Yazmín Carranza Barrantes, 2012.
NA = No aplica.
Programas ambientales del Poder Judicial Programas Programa Justicia para la Naturaleza.[6] El programa procura desarrollar en forma conjunta con la Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz y el Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía un plan de conservación y ornamentación en la Finca La Soledad del Poder Judicial y otros circuitos judiciales del país, dentro de un concepto de desarrollo sostenible y como un aporte a la sociedad costarricense.
La finca, con un área total de 35 hectáreas, destina al proyecto 8 hectáreas (áreas donde no es factible la construcción, tales como las márgenes del Río Porrosatí, Río Sajón, Río Segundo y la quebrada Las Flores, en las márgenes de las fuentes de agua y nacimientos, así como todas aquellas zonas que por su pendiente implican grandes costos en caso de pretender construir, áreas sensibles de resiembra como es las orillas del bulevar y alrededores de las edificaciones). Además, considera 12570 m2 de áreas potenciales en los diferentes circuitos judiciales.
Se fijó un área de siembra por hectárea de 816 árboles, a una distancia de 3.5 x 3.5, esto significa que en las 8 hectáreas (dentro de las cuales se incluyen las áreas sensibles de resiembra como son las orillas del bulevar y alrededores de las edificaciones) se requieren aproximadamente 7.000 unidades entre árboles y arbustos.
Principales especies autóctonas de la zona o que están en peligro de extinción y se pueden adaptar en el área:
Roble Sabana, Corteza Amarilla Jacaranda Cristóbal (Peligro de extinción) Níspero Caoba (Peligro de extinción) Ron Ron (Peligro de extinción) Ojoche (Peligro de extinción) Chirraca (Peligro de extinción) Ceiba Pochote Etapas del proyecto Etapa I: Reforestación de áreas con especies de la región, además los expertos en la materia valoran la siembra de especies en vías de extinción que se puedan adaptar a la zona, así como construcción de infraestructura básica (senderos, basureros, rótulos de ubicación de especies y para los visitantes).
Etapa II: Construcción de infraestructura básica para picnic y otros (ranchos, mesas, servicios sanitarios, puente y miradores).
Etapa III: Construcción de un mariposario, polideportivo, anfiteatro al aire libre, lagos Etapa IV: Reforestación de áreas potenciales en los demás circuitos judiciales.
Beneficiarios del proyecto:
Directos: 375 servidores actuales de la Ciudad Judicial de San Joaquín de Flores y demás empleados del Poder Judicial los cuales en su tiempo libre podrán tener acceso a un lugar de recreación para con sus familias y todos beneficios implícitos de un proyecto de esta índole.
Indirectos: Escuelas, colegios de la zona los cuales en forma controlado podrán tener acceso al proyecto, lo cual contribuiría a fomentar en los estudiantes una cultura de responsabilidad ambiental a partir de actividades y proyectos comunes.
A largo plazo se dará una apertura de ingreso de la comunidad en forma gradual y controlada a las instalaciones con el fin de que estos visiten el lugar y ayuden en la conservación y protección de los recursos de la Finca la Soledad.
En términos generales también se beneficiarían en forma indirecta las organizaciones de base, comunidades aledañas, empresas de la zona y la sociedad costarricense, en vista de este proyecto es una contribución a la conservación del ambiente lo que conlleva a la protección de la biodiversidad para la conservación de ecosistemas, formas de vida y fomenta una cultura de responsabilidad hacia la conservación del medio ambiente.
Programa Cero Papel.
El mismo pretende garantizar una justicia ágil que prescinda del uso de papel, potencializando el aprovechamiento de los recursos tecnológicos y la aplicación de buenas prácticas, que contribuyan a la mejora del servicio, reduciendo el uso del recurso papel y fotocopias en las oficinas.
La Comisión encargada de la implementación del programa Inició funciones en marzo del 2010 y se integra por cuatro representantes de cada uno de los diversos sectores del Poder Judicial. Como Coordinadora General funge la Doctora Lupita Chávez Cervantes, integrante del Consejo Superior.
Los compromisos de esta Comisión son los siguientes:[7] · Asumir el liderazgo y desarrollo de políticas y estrategias para promover la despapelización de la justicia.
· Fomentar el uso de la tecnología, la oralidad, entre otros.
· Reducir costos para la justicia y colaborar con el ambiente.
· Que el desarraigo al papel sea el medio de fortalecer el derecho de las personas usuarias, para que los procesos reciban una tramitación ágil, flexible y sin mengua de la calidad de las decisiones.
Planes de Emergencia: Plan de Evacuación elaborado por Salud Ocupacional.
Se encuentran elaborados los planes de evacuación para el riesgo de sismo de los edificios de la institución.
Iniciativas y campañas.
Juzgados Electrónicos.
Esta iniciativa se ha desarrollado desde el componente de Gestión de Despachos del Programa Corte-Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, que elaboró un rediseño de procesos en materias Laboral, Penal y Constitucional. En la actualidad, como plan piloto, se desarrolla en tres despachos judiciales del país, con el objetivo de agilizar su tramitación, propiciar el litigio en línea, la aplicación de la oralidad mediante un proceso por audiencias y la puesta en marcha de los despachos cero papel.
Se pretende la celeridad y la mejora del servicio, como finalidad que guiará a tres despachos pilotos que iniciarán en el mes de octubre: Juzgado Penal del II Circuito Judicial de San José, (Sede Goicoechea), Juzgado de Trabajo de Cartago y la Sala Constitucional. Dichos despachos asumieron este programa que optimiza el uso de los recursos tecnológicos y logra un mejoramiento del servicio de administración de justicia. Su efecto práctico es el manejo del proceso desde un escritorio virtual, la realización de notificaciones por formas no tradicionales, el recibo de expedientes de manera virtual de los Tribunales de Apelación. De igual forma, los litigantes y personas usuarias podrían interponer sus demandas vía correo electrónico, a través del sistema de gestión en línea, que únicamente requiere que las partes se apersonen hasta el despacho y soliciten su clave de acceso y a partir de allí cualquier gestión o consulta del caso se realiza desde Internet o las personas puede apersonarse a la oficina y se escanea el documento de la demanda.[8] Esta Iniciativa impacta positivamente en el uso eficiente del recurso papel y trasciende el ámbito judicial, pues el efecto se produce también a nivel de litigantes y grandes usuarios, quienes de igual manera, desde sus centros de operaciones disminuirán el consumo de papel y otros implementos asociados.
Acciones de reducción del uso de papel dentro de Planes Anuales Operativos.
Se emite por parte de la Sección de Planes y Presupuesto del Departamento de Planificación las circulares N. 006-2010 y su adición N. 007-2010, dirigida a Consejos de Administración, administradores/as de programa, encargados/as de centro de responsabilidad, jefaturas de oficina y demás involucrados/as en la formulación de Planes Anuales Operativos 2011. Su finalidad es que sea incorporada la política de reducción en el uso de papel, como uno de los objetivos de los Planes Anuales Operativos para el periodo 2011 (PAO-2011).
Dicha circular reza en forma textual:
“En la Circular 006-2010 del Departamento de Planificación emitida el 1° de octubre de 2010, deberá leerse el punto 5) de la siguiente manera: …5- Es importante recalcar que se deben incluir con carácter obligatorio objetivos específicos, metas, indicadores, actividades y coordinación, relacionados con los ejes temáticos de Género, Accesibilidad, Valores, sustitución del papel por las herramientas tecnológicas (cero papel), Autoevaluación y Riesgos, los que se deben asociar a los conceptos anteriores según corresponda, utilizando la última columna de la fórmula del PAO que se adjunta.” (el subrayado es lo adicional)”.
Iniciativas de Reciclaje Regionales, programas de gestión de residuos y campañas ocasionales de sensibilización ambiental.
Las diversas oficinas y edificaciones de los circuitos judiciales en forma independiente han buscado dar solución a la gestión de los residuos sólidos ordinarios que generan las oficinas en su diario accionar. De tal forma, se han identificado esfuerzos institucionales de los administradores y jefes de oficina, así como del Departamento de Servicios Generales y la Proveeduría, que han realizado contactos con escuelas a quienes entregan los residuos para su reciclaje. A manera de ilustración tal accionar se sigue en los Edificios del I y II Circuito Judicial de San José a través de la Administración, y Servicios Generales, así como en la Ciudad Judicial de San Joaquín de Flores y edificios regionales como Puntarenas. Con ello se ha logrado recuperar un porcentaje del papel utilizado y desechado por La institución para lograr su valorización y posterior reciclaje con los gestores a quienes se les entrega finalmente.
Del mismo modo, en el Departamento de Ciencias Forenses del Organismo de Investigación Judicial (ubicado en la Ciudad Judicial de San Joaquín de Flores) se cuenta desde hace varios años con un modelo de gestión de residuos peligrosos, así como con protocolos de recolección, tratamiento y disposición de materiales infectocontagiosos.
Han existido además, diversas instancias sobre la sensibilización en cuanto al uso de papel y separación de desechos, o disposición final de celulares.
Astorga, A. 2007. Manual de Instrucciones para la elaboración de Planes de Gestión Ambiental en el sector público de Costa Rica. Documento Técnico, Dirección de Gestión de Calidad Ambiental, Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía de Costa Rica, 104 p.” - 0 - Se acordó: Aprobar el Plan de Gestión Ambiental conforme a la actualización remitida por la Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales y hacerlo de conocimiento de la División de Gestión de Calidad del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía. Es entendido que el compromiso que se adquiere por parte del Poder Judicial para cumplir con los compromisos adquiridos en el presente documento “Programa de Gestión Ambiental Institucional” y con lo consignado en el Decreto Ejecutivo Número 36499-S-MINAET “Reglamento para la Elaboración de Programas de Gestión Ambiental Institucional en el Sector Público de Costa Rica”, tiene su sustento en el análisis previo realizado por las funcionarias y funcionarios que integran la citada Comisión de Asuntos Ambientales. Se declara acuerdo firme.
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