Let the Action Plan 2022-2026 of the National Climate Change Adaptation Policy be officialized, also referred to as "National Adaptation Plan", or "NAP" for its acronym in English under the terms of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. The complete version of the mentioned Action Plan will be available on the electronic page of the Ministry of Environment and Energy www.minae.go.cr and the printed version will be kept in the institutional archive of the Sectoral Planning Secretariat of Environment and Energy.
(Note from Sinalevi: The present "National Adaptation Plan", or "NAP" was extracted from the website of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and is transcribed below:)
National Climate Change Adaptation Plan of Costa Rica 2022 - 2026 This document was prepared by the Climate Change Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy with support from the project Plan A: Resilient Territories against Climate Change (Plan A) executed by the United Nations Environment Programme, as well as from different public, private, civil society entities, and international cooperation organizations that participated in different phases of the process.
We appreciate the collaboration of all the institutions that participated in various spaces for consultation throughout the 2020-2022 period to make this Action Plan possible. The complete list of institutions is presented in the Annexes section.
We also appreciate the technical contributions of the Advisory Committee, which provided feedback during the different parts of this process.
General Coordination: Andrea Meza Murillo Minister of Environment and Energy Patricia Campos Director DCC MINAE Ximena Apéstegui Coordinator Plan A Document Preparation: Ximena Apéstegui Coordinator Plan A Enrique Paniagua Specialist in adaptation planning Plan A Natalia Gómez Technical Assistant Plan A Erick Vargas Consultant UNDP Advisory Committee: Iván Alonso Delgado Climate Change Directorate, MINAE Carlos Cordero Sectoral Planning Secretariat of Environment, Energy, Seas and Spatial Planning, MINAE Carlos Picado National Commission for Risk Prevention and Emergency Response Claudia Bouroncle Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center Elizabeth Venegas Business Alliance for Development Marianella Feoli Fundecooperación for Sustainable Development Pascal Girot University of Costa Rica Raquel Gómez United Nations Environment Programme Pia Paaby Costa Rica por Siempre Association Support Team: Daniela Villalta Consultant UNDP Carla Murillo MINAE Office Mariana Soto Assistant DCC MINAE Ana Lucía Moya Advisor DCC MINAE Mónica Velarde Operational Assistant Plan A Mónica Castillo Specialist in financial strategy Plan A María del Pilar Restrepo Specialist in climate financing Plan A Editorial Supervision: Diego Arguedas Sebastián Rodriguez Stephanie Altamirano Design, Layout and Illustrations: Orlando Pérez Photographs:
Fundecooperación para el Desarrollo Sostenible United Nations Development Programme Cover: Giancarlo Pucci Citation:
Climate Change Directorate; Ministry of Environment and Energy. (2022). National Climate Change Adaptation Plan of Costa Rica, 2022 - 2026. San José, Costa Rica. 204pp.
With the support of:
1. Presentation The last report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, published in August 2021, is categorical in stating that there are changes that are already irreversible. For example, mean temperatures have increased in all subregions of the world and will continue to increase at a rate higher than the global average. In Central America, it is expected that tropical cyclones and severe storms will become more extreme, that droughts will increase, and a relative sea-level rise in the oceans around the region is also anticipated, which will contribute to the increase of coastal flooding in low-lying areas and the retreat of coastlines (AR6, 2021).
Even with the hope that international efforts can keep the increase in the Earth's average temperature below degrees Celsius, as indicated by the Paris Agreement, there will be transformations to which Costa Rica and the world will have to adapt. This combination of factors, coupled with the vulnerabilities of the country's social, economic, and environmental systems, represents a top-priority challenge that the country must undertake.
After almost two years of health and economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, these vulnerabilities have not only been revealed but there is a possibility that they will intensify. Bearing in mind the pre-existing inequities and those increased by the pandemic, the climate impacts would come to add insult to injury, as they will most likely multiply the inequities in the country. Never has the need for planning that contributes to reducing these inequities and vulnerabilities been so evident as in this phase of recovery from the pandemic.
The effects of climate change will put pressure on our economic, educational, environmental, social, and health systems, to name a few. They will overload our delicate public finances, citizen services, and will put communities and infrastructure at risk. Those with better support networks (social and economic) will have better opportunities to face these challenges, and vice versa.
We can also see this in the historical records. When extreme climate events occur, such as Hurricanes Iota and Eta in November 2019, or the drought caused by the El Niño effect in 2015, those who live in more vulnerable conditions are the ones who suffer the worst damages. The infrastructure and public services that sustain the country's economic activities have also incurred millionaire losses and damages. According to the Contraloría General de la República, these costs for repair and reconstruction could come to represent 2.5% of GDP, when in 2010 it was only 1% of the same. Private sector losses also promise to be colossal, with value chains and productive systems collapsed.
Therefore, planning to adapt to climate change is transcendental and a priority to safeguard the country's socio-economic and environmental systems. We still have time to address the multiplying factors of climate-related disasters. However, we must act with urgency.
The 2022-2026 period offers us a window of time to leverage our country's strengths and act on its weaknesses. We have the opportunity to strengthen well-being and quality of life in the country through robust climate adaptation instruments and by working in coordination among authorities, communities, businesses, academia, and other relevant actors.
The Covid-19 crisis has already shown us what happens when human systems collapse. What we are facing could be waves tens of times larger than what we have experienced so far. This National Adaptation Plan is Costa Rica's proposal to begin reducing the impact of those waves and to advance towards a development model that guarantees the climate resilience of Costa Rican society.
2. Introduction This document contains the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan of Costa Rica 2022 - 2026 (NAP1), which serves as the first Action Plan of the National Climate Change Adaptation Policy of Costa Rica 2018 - 2030 (PNACC).
1 The acronym NAP is used for this Plan for two purposes. The first is to differentiate the National Adaptation Plan from the National Adaptation Policy, whose official acronym is PNACC but which is frequently abbreviated as PNA. The second is to align this plan’s acronym with the global acronyms, in English, of the National Adaptation Plans (NAP, for National Adaptation Plan).
The creation of this Plan is a key step to achieve the country's vision and adaptation objectives for 2030, as well as the six main axes of action, set forth in the PNACC. Decree No. 41091-MINAE (MINAE, 2018), which officializes the PNACC, makes all Public Sector agencies responsible for implementing the PNACC within their respective legal scope, and in particular the institutions of the sectors: Tourism, Water Resources, Biodiversity and Forests, Agriculture and Fisheries, Health, Infrastructure, and Energy. This document presents the route to follow for said institutions to strengthen their national and subnational development policies, plans, strategies, and budgets with concrete adaptation actions.
Simultaneously, the NAP is also a fundamental instrument to advance towards the fulfillment of the country's goals and priorities for 2030 on adaptation that were presented in the updated Nationally Determined Contribution of Costa Rica in 2020 (NDC, 2020), along with the Adaptation Communication to the UNFCCC. While these instruments have already set a clear north, this Plan offers a clear route that will allow advancement towards the implementation of concrete actions that steer the country towards meeting these goals. It is worth noting that, while the final objective of this National Adaptation Plan is to guide the execution of the PNACC 2018-2030 and achieve the results corresponding to the 2022-2026 timeframe, the final results expected by the PNACC are expected to be achieved together with the next NAP, whose timeframe would be 2027-2030.
Why this document?
This document was created to improve people's lives through climate change adaptation.
The well-being of the people living in Costa Rica and of the ecosystems of the national territory is one of the central objectives of government institutions. For decades, Costa Rica has prioritized investments that pursue this objective, including the establishment of social security, the public health and education systems, the creation of social welfare programs, the promotion of employment and entrepreneurship schemes, the protection of biodiversity, and the generation of renewable electricity.
However, climate change puts these advances at risk. The increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere and oceans is disrupting the climate system upon which our society is built. Specifically, climate change is affecting precipitation patterns, average temperature, the frequency of extreme weather events, and sea-level rise, among other already noticeable effects.
In the case of the Central American region, most models suggest that the temperature will increase by at least 2°C by mid-century and more than 4°C by the end compared to the reference period (1970-1999), while precipitation will not change much during the first half of the century and then will decrease by around 10% by the end; especially in the northern part of Central America (Hidalgo, 2021). At the global level, the international community defined clear goals to mitigate climate change, including those contained in the Paris Agreement. There, the signatory countries of the Agreement committed to holding the increase in the global average temperature well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C (UNFCCC, 2015). Costa Rica has ambitious policies to significantly reduce its emissions and is committed to an emissions pathway aligned with the 1.5°C goal, as demonstrated by its NDC 2020 and its Decarbonization Plan (NDC, 2020).
However, mitigation will not be enough to respond to the climate crisis. Even if the world manages to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years, our societies will continue to feel the irreversible impacts of climate change, with effects on human lives, agricultural systems, education, health, housing services, public infrastructure, and private property, among others. The impacts are already being felt at the global level. According to estimates by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the World Meteorological Organization, climate change and increasingly extreme weather events have caused an increase in global disasters in the last 50 years, particularly in poor countries. The region of North America, Central America and the Caribbean suffered more than 74,000 deaths and economic losses of $1.7 trillion from climate-related disasters between 1970 and 2019. This represented 45% of the associated economic losses worldwide (WMO, 2021). The frequency and intensity of extremes have already increased, and events such as tropical cyclones and severe storms are expected to become even more extreme (IPCC, 2021). The summer rains have started later and become more irregular in space and time, while the intensity of the rains has increased during the onset season (IPCC, 2021). A clear reflection of these changes was the 2020 storm season. In November of that year, two devastating hurricanes -Eta and Iota- impacted the isthmus within two weeks, causing impacts in all the countries of the region. Eta has been considered one of the worst climate-related disasters in the region in the last two decades. The United Nations estimates that more than 4.5 million people were affected by the devastation caused solely by Eta in Central America, not counting the additional impact of Iota. It was as devastating as Hurricane Mitch, which killed 11,000 people in the region in 1998 (UNICEF, 2020).
During the 2020 rainy season, more than 300,000 people across the isthmus were forced to flee their homes, as floods and landslides swallowed entire towns in Honduras and Guatemala, while Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, and El Salvador experienced devastating floods (UNHCR, 2020).
The cost of inaction is very high. The impacts of climate change with a 2.5°C increase in Latin America and the Caribbean could cost between 1.5% and 4.3% of GDP, while the costs of adaptation would not exceed 0.5% of regional GDP (RIOCC, 2020).
The Case of Costa Rica Like the rest of Central America, Costa Rica is a highly vulnerable country and has already experienced serious losses due to extreme hydrometeorological events. For example:
. The duration of the 2014-2016 drought was 2.4 times longer than the 2009 drought, and 1.8 times longer than the 1997 one, which was considered to have great impact for the country in productive terms (CGR 2018).
. Hurricane Otto generated damages and losses in 2016 of ¢106,258 million and a direct impact on 10,831 people in 461 towns, as well as 10 people deceased in the cantons of Upala and Bagaces.
. Tropical storm Nate, which impacted the country for only three days in 2017, caused losses and damages that totaled more than ¢327,160 million colones (the equivalent of 1% of the GDP for that year), in addition to major social impacts such as 14 people deceased and the displacement of 11,517 people who had to seek shelter (MINAE 2018).
. Between 1980 and 2017, 1.3 million people affected were recorded (counting victims, evacuees, and people who suffered indirect effects of a disaster) by extreme hydrometeorological events in Costa Rica. (Jiménez, 2020). In that same timeframe, 546 deaths related to this type of event were recorded (Carvajal, 2020).
In the case of Costa Rica, according to the Contraloría General de la República (CGR), the annual cost of the repair and reconstruction of infrastructure affected by floods, storms, and droughts went from ¢8,903 million in 1988 to ¢202,681 million in 2010, which in that last year represented 1.01% of GDP. The CGR also foresees exponential growth in the cost of repair and reconstruction of roads, bridges, aqueducts, and other relevant infrastructure, due to the more frequent and intense impacts of extreme hydrometeorological events. For the year 2025, the CGR estimates that the cost of addressing the impacts of extreme events could encompass between 0.68% and 1.05% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in a conservative scenario, and between 1.64% and 2.50% of GDP in a higher-risk scenario (CGR, 2018).
Faced with these challenges, Costa Rica committed in its NDC 2020 to strengthening the conditions of social, economic, and environmental resilience of the country against the effects of climate change, through the development of capacities and information for decision-making, the inclusion of adaptation criteria in financing and planning instruments, the adaptation of public services, productive systems, and infrastructure, and the implementation of nature-based solutions. This Plan is the vehicle to operationalize that ambition.
How is this document structured?
First Section Second Section Third Section Fourth Section Fifth Section Contains the prologue, which offers a political vision of the need for this document.
Corresponds to this introduction, which presents the argument for why the National Adaptation Plan is necessary and details the structure of the document.
It contains the background related to climate change adaptation in Costa Rica. The section includes a subsection on the current and future climate of Costa Rica; a subsection on climate risks and impacts in the country; and on progress to date in establishing an institutional, governance, and planning framework for adaptation in Costa Rica. This section was built upon the progress presented in the Fourth National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change submitted by the country in December 2021. Readers are invited to review that document if they wish to delve deeper into these topics.
It contains the Scope of the National Adaptation Plan 2022-2026, including a subsection with the objectives and expected results of the NAP for each of the six axes and guidelines of the PNACC, as well as the thematic and regional approaches used, and some assumptions and conditions foreseen for success.
It presents, for each axis and guideline, a series of general goals for climate change adaptation in Costa Rica. It is worth noting that each goal is built upon the implementation of actions and/or the development of specific products, which are detailed in Anexo 1. For each product in Anexo 1, the list of institutions that will contribute to its achievement is detailed, as well as the general timelines for its implementation.
Sixth Section Seventh Section
Details the management framework and model that will be used for monitoring, follow-up, and evaluation of the NAP.
Provides a brief look at the financing needed to fund this Action Plan.
Presents in detail, the list of all the products associated with each goal presented in the fifth section of the Action Plan, as well as information on the execution periods and the entities responsible for and associated with its execution.
The NAP 2022 - 2026 is the result of a long participatory process of consultations and joint construction with a broad group of actors from different regions and sectors. Anexo 2 recounts the methodology and the different stages of the process executed for the development of this NAP.
Presents the list of the different entities that participated in some consultation phase.
Finally, the document closes with the bibliography.
3. Background This section contains background related to climate change adaptation in Costa Rica. The section includes a subsection on the current and future climate of Costa Rica, a subsection on climate risks and impacts in the country, and another subsection on progress to date in establishing an institutional, governance, and planning framework for adaptation in Costa Rica. The section is a synthesis of the information presented in the Fourth National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change submitted by the country in December 2021. Readers are invited to review said document if they wish to access more information on these topics.
Temperature, rain, and aridity The highest temperatures in Costa Rica occur between March and April: 27°C in the North Pacific and 24°C in the North Caribbean. The lowest temperatures in the North Pacific (24°C) happen in October and in the North Caribbean (22.5°C) in January.
Regarding average annual rainfall, in the climatology observed by the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN), the minimum stands out in the North Pacific, with less than 2000 mm annually, and relatively low values in the Central Valley and the country's mountain ranges (2000-3000 mm). A marked variation is also evident on both slopes: on the Pacific side, rainfall decreases from south to north, and on the Caribbean side, it rather increases from south to north. The maximums (more than 6000 mm) occur on the mid-mountain windward slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca and the Cordillera Volcánica Central. This likewise occurs with those of the Tortuguero plain (North Caribbean) and the Coto Colorado Valley (South Pacific).
The maps of average aridity and extreme aridity in Costa Rica (figure 1) show the ratio between annual precipitation and the territory's own potential evapotranspiration.
High temperatures, low precipitation, and high evapotranspiration generate high aridity indicators. It is observed that Guanacaste is the driest zone, with values closer to zero on the aridity index, while the North Caribbean and the foothills of the Cordillera Volcánica Central towards the Caribbean and of Talamanca present the values farthest from zero; that is, they are the most humid zones. In the extreme aridity map, the arid region expands: northern Guanacaste becomes redder, while the Osa and Punta Burica peninsulas (South Pacific) and the South Caribbean sector become less blue or light blue and more yellow (intermediate values).
Figure 1. Average aridity and extreme aridity in Costa Rica, 1982-2019.
Source: (MINAE, 2021).
Meteorological phenomena and events between 1980-2017 Between 1980-2017, 1264 meteorological events were recorded, and 72.1% corresponded to intense rains, storms, convective storms, and hail, which are therefore considered the four most frequent events. Their impacts are multiple and, depending on their intensity, can cause: victims, as well as loss of human lives, crop losses, damage to transit routes, and more.
The behavior of meteorological phenomena and events in Costa Rica already shows an increasing trend. Although this could be linked to an increase in the availability, quality, and detail of records (figure 2), besides the fact that meteorological events are part of natural climate variability, their frequency and intensity are expected to increase in the future in light of climate change (IPCC, 2021).
Figure 2. Record of meteorological phenomena and events in Costa Rica. 1980-2017.
Source: (IMN, 2021).
When disaggregating the event information by climate region, it is observed that the majority of reports for the months of November to February belong to the Caribbean region, as these are the rainiest months in these areas, while the majority of records in June and September are concentrated in the Central region, also in the rainiest months (Alvarado, 2021).
Future climate Below are the future climate projections according to the emissions scenario: RCP 8.5 (scenario of highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions), for three climate periods (2010-2039, 2040-2069, and 2070-2099) and the country's seven climate regions.
In the short-term scenario (2010-2039, figure 3 A), the temperature increase varies between 1.1°C and 1.6°C, with the highest increases in the Caribbean and the Northern Zone and the lowest on the Pacific Slope. In the medium term (2040-2069, figure 3 B), the increase is greater than in the previous period and oscillates between 2.4°C and 2.8°C, with a corridor of maximum increase along the Cordillera de Talamanca, Cordillera Volcánica Central, and the Northern Zone. On the other hand, during this period, the lowest increase occurs in the North Pacific and the Central Pacific. By the end of the century (figure 3.19), the increase is the greatest of the three periods, with a spatial variation from 3.8°C to 4.8°C. The corridor of maximum increase goes from the Cordillera de Talamanca, passing through the Central Valley, and ending in the North Pacific. Figures 3 (A, B, and C) map the temperature changes between the three future periods and the control climate.
The following figures show more clearly the trend of increasing average annual temperature for two regions with very different climates. In the North Pacific (figure 4 A), the estimated increase by the end of the century is to 30.4°C and to 27.6°C in the North Caribbean (figure 4 B).
Regarding rainfall, there is also a decrease from the first horizon to the second. In the south of the country (Osa, Golfito, Corredores), amounts of 6000-7000 mm in 2020-2039 decrease to 4000-5000 mm in 2040-2069. The very rainy area over the Cordillera de Guanacaste and eastern slopes rather show an increase. In the 2070-2099 horizon, rainfall increases in several regions compared to the previous period. Such is the case in the Cordillera Volcánica Central, the Talamanca, the Caribbean, Nicoya Peninsula, Central and South Pacific. Other regions show less rainy conditions, such as the eastern slope of the Cordillera de Guanacaste, the center and north of the North Pacific (Alvarado, 2021).
Regarding the current climate, in the short term (figure 5 A), there are rainfall increases (in blue) of 10% to 50% in the regions of the North Pacific, Northern Zone, Osa Peninsula, Cahuita/Sixaola; while there would be a decrease (10% to 30%) in the Central Valley, the Cordillera Volcánica Central, Fila de Matama, and Cordillera de Talamanca. For the medium term (figure 5B), the spatial distribution and magnitudes of the changes are very similar to those of the short term, but with a greater increase in the Nicoya Peninsula (of up to 40%), while the deficit is maintained in the Cordillera Volcánica Central, the Talamanca, and Fila de Matama. In the long term (figure 5C), there are percentage increases in the Nicoya Peninsula (of up to 40%), as well as in the Northern Zone (of up to 20%), in the low-altitude zones of the Caribbean region (of up to 15%), in the Central Pacific (of up to 20%), and in the South Pacific (of up to 30%). At the same time, there will be deficit rainfall conditions in the center/north of Guanacaste (up to 20% less), as well as in the Valley and Cordillera Central and the Cordillera de Talamanca (Alvarado, 2021).
The time series of average annual rainfall (in mm/day) show different behaviors between regions and between time horizons. In the North Pacific (figure 6 A), there is no defined and significant trend, except in the last period where it points to less rainfall. In the North Caribbean (figure 6 B), an increasing trend in rainfall is observed. In the South Pacific (6 C), there is a slight trend towards increased rainfall, with great variability throughout the century.
02 On the brink of global warming, Costa Rica is vulnerable both to extreme meteorological events (EME) of rapid onset— which increase in frequency and intensity with short-term events—and to slow onset events (table 1).
| Short-term events | Slow onset events | | --- | --- | | . Increase in intensity and frequency of droughts . Extreme temperatures (cold or hot) . Increase in intensity and frequency of hurricanes and tropical storms . Intense rains | . Gradual temperature increase . Loss of biodiversity . Soil and forest degradation . Ocean acidification . Sea level rise . Saline intrusion | Photograph: Giancarlo Pucci, UNDP Costa Rica Events can become extreme meteorological events (EME) according to their magnitude, their power, and the impacts they cause on social, productive, and natural sectors. Although many meteorological events can occur, a disaster only occurs when its impact is particularly strong on a vulnerable system and generates significant damages.
EMEs put pressure on public finances by affecting roads, bridges, aqueducts, and other relevant infrastructure (PEN, 2020), among others. According to the Contraloría General de la República (CGR), in 2010, the repair and reconstruction costs of infrastructure affected by EMEs were 1.01% of GDP, and if the current trend continues, costs will continue to rise. In a conservative scenario, they will range between 0.68% and 1.05% of annual GDP. In an alternative scenario, they would be between 1.64% and 2.5% of GDP (figure 7).
Figure 7. Cost scenarios for extreme hydrometeorological and climatic events for the period 2011-2025.
Source: (Contraloría General de la República, 2017).
Currently, 65% of EMEs caused by atmospheric phenomena each month are due to intense rains and are distributed in the country according to the rainy season of each zone. Limón is the province that records the most events, followed by Puntarenas and San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, and Guanacaste.
Floods, landslides, and flash floods affected 1,311,024 people between 1980 and 2017. Some of these people were victims, others lost or suffered damage to their property, were evacuated, or suffered indirect or secondary damages associated with a disaster. Additionally, in this same period, 546 people lost their lives due to some EME (IMN, 2021).
In Costa Rica, during 1980-2017, the phenomena that caused the most deaths were hurricanes (Joan, César, Tomas, Otto) and tropical storms (Nate, Mitch, Bret, and Erin). Other significant phenomena were low-pressure systems and tropical waves. In July 2016, 12 tropical waves passed over the country, an average of one every three days, causing intense rains. In November 2016, Hurricane Otto crossed the country, becoming the first with a direct impact on the territory. There were damages of various kinds, including the death of 17 people. In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate hit the country with abundant rainfall and became one of the most damaging phenomena of the last decade, leaving 16 people deceased (IMN, 2021).
Figures 8 A, B, C, D, E, F show the economic value of damages from extreme hydrometeorological events (dry and rainy) declared a national emergency in the different regions of the country between 1988-2018, according to the records of CNE, MIDEPLAN, MAG.
A. Central Region B. Chorotega Region C. Central Pacific Region D. Brunca Region E. Huetar Norte Region F. Huetar Caribe Region Figure 8. Economic value of damages from hydrometeorological events declared a national emergency (1988-2018) according to the record of CNE-MIDEPLAN-MAG in each socioeconomic region of the country.
Source: (MINAE-MIDEPLAN-PNUMA, 2020).
3.3.
Potential impacts This section offers a summary of the main effects for some of the thematic areas most affected by the adverse effects of climate variability and climate change.
Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries The agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sector is one of the most vulnerable to climate change, due to its dependence on natural resources. The intensity and frequency of rains can cause floods that trigger large losses. Between 1988 and 2019, the sector recorded 5,994 impacts from natural phenomena, and of these, 98.8% were from hydrometeorological events (PEN, 2020). Between 1988 and 2015, losses in this sector were estimated at US $460 million for damages associated with extreme events.
Historically, when precipitation decreases, the sector has been affected by droughts, as made visible through Figure 8 (A-F), which presents high economic values of drought damages in each of the country's socioeconomic regions. To this must be added the impact that COVID-19 had in 2020, with 28,000 million colones in losses (PEN, 2020).
Some factors that determine the vulnerability of the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sector to climate change are the following (MINAE-MIDEPLAN-PNUMA, 2020), (OECD / OCDE, 2017):
Low levels of schooling of the labor force in the countryside.
High informality of work in rural and coastal areas, especially among women. Working people in the sector in conditions of poverty and inhabiting risk areas.
Traditional agricultural sector of small producers with low productivity and difficulties in reducing rural poverty.
Limited integration of the small agricultural producer and fisher into the value chains. Insufficient infrastructure.
High dependence on monocultures. Overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices.
Crops with high water requirements and dependence on irrigation systems. Livestock farms highly dependent on water resources.
Limited access to financing.
Lack of a preventive approach and risk management in the sector. Lack of land-use planning with a long-term vision.
Little access to appropriate climate services for small and medium-scale producers. Competition between productive models based on the use of local labor, security of land tenure, rotation and fallowing of land, versus intensive monoculture systems, which affect the availability and quality of water and impoverish the soils.
Gradual decrease in technical assistance.
According to FAO data, women perform up to 80% of agricultural work in Latin America, but own only between 8 and 30% of the land in the region. Therefore, efforts for gender equality constitute a fundamental priority to promote just, inclusive, and resilient societies.
Due to the aforementioned, it is possible to identify the following potential climate-related impacts (RARE-GreenLAC, 2021), (MINAE-MIDEPLAN-PNUMA, 2020), (MINAE, 2018), (SEPSA/FAO/SELAC, 2016), (SEPSA/MAG, 2010):
· Changes in the composition and distribution of agricultural and livestock pests, affecting yields. Changes in the distribution of agricultural crops.
· Decrease in water availability for agriculture and livestock.
· Alteration of coastal and marine ecosystems relevant to the reproduction of commercial species. Decrease in agricultural, livestock, and fisheries productivity.
· Affectation of transformation and commercialization processes of agricultural, livestock, and fisheries production.
· Severe damages and recurrent losses of agricultural, livestock, and fisheries assets. Affectation on the exports of agricultural, livestock, and fisheries products.
· Loss of competitiveness of the sector.
· Loss of livelihoods of farmers, ranchers, and fishers. Increase in poverty and unemployment in rural areas.
· Affectation on the production, distribution, and availability of food. Food and nutritional insecurity in the local and national population.
Water resources The water system is a fundamental pillar of Costa Rica's development. However, in recent years, water rationing has increased due to the decrease in water capacity resulting from climate variability. With significant investments in water infrastructure, the periods of impact could be reduced by up to 50% (PEN, 2020). Some factors that influence the generation of vulnerability to climate change of water resources are the following (MINAE-MIDEPLAN-PNUMA, 2020) (PEN, 2020) (MINAE, 2018):
According to AyA, in 2019, the country's springs reduction of 20%, affecting about 500,000 people in the GAM.
Nearly 335,250 people did not have access to potable water in 2019, 6.6% of the total. There is loss of vegetation cover in protection and aquifer recharge areas.
Unsustainable or unreported extraction; for example, from illegal wells. Contamination of water sources.
Productive activities dependent on water resources: agriculture, livestock, fishing, agroindustry, tourism, services, hydroelectric production, among others.
Inefficient and obsolete irrigation systems.
Deficient systems for water treatment and distribution and for wastewater treatment. Deficient storm sewer service.
Few financial options for new water and energy management technologies.
Lack of land-use planning with a long-term vision, incorporating the water variable. Increase in water demand in 2020 due to the COVID-19 emergency.
Photograph:
Priscilla Mora Flores, UNDP Costa Rica As a result of such vulnerabilities and their interaction with threats associated with global warming, it is possible to identify the following potential impacts on the water resources sector (MINAE-MIDEPLAN-PNUMA, 2020), (PEN, 2020), (MINAE, 2018), (SINAC, 2013):
Of the 34 corridors evaluated, in seven it is expected that all of their water supply for human consumption will be reduced by between 50 and 85%, meaning that almost all of their territory has a high or very high impact on the provision of this ecosystem service.
For the period 2070-2099, the projected changes in the water supply from ASP and CB show reduction values between 10 to 85%, depending on the region of the country.
Reduction of ecosystem services from forests and wetlands, mainly those associated with the water cycle.
Displacement of freshwater by saltwater in coastal aquifers. Scarcity of water resources in the dry season.
Reduction of water supply for human consumption and for hydroelectric energy production and distribution.
Increased cost of hydroelectric production. Increase in droughts, for example, in the Chorotega Region. Forest fires in some regions during the dry season.
Partial or total destruction of water collection and conveyance works by EMEs. Decrease in the operational capacity and potable water distribution services. Decrease in the operational capacity of wastewater treatment.
Unsatisfied demand due to the reduction in resource availability. Conflicts between users over water resources.
Loss of competitiveness of productive sectors. Reduction of the well-being and quality of life of families.
Future water security limited by the risk of contamination of water sources.
Biodiversity Costa Rica possesses and conserves a rich biodiversity, which is a source and provision of ecosystem services, such as hydrological cycle regulation, soil fertility and health, and microclimatic regulation. Key economic sectors, such as tourism, fishing, aquaculture, agriculture, and forestry, depend on biodiversity (SINAC-CONAGEBIO-MINAE, 2016). In recent decades, the country has recovered its forest cover, reaching 59% of the territory in 2020 (BM), thanks to the establishment of ASP, the participation of civil society and the productive sector in the biological corridors, and the Payments for Environmental Services Program (Pago de Servicios Ambientales, PSA). The country currently allocates 1,303,055 ha in ASP and 1,550,190 ha in marine protected areas to conservation (PEN, 2020).
In relation to losses and damages in the biodiversity sector due to climate variability and change, it is important to highlight the impact of EMEs and forest fires. An important case was Tropical Storm Nate, which in 2017 impacted the Guanacaste Conservation Area, the Santa Rosa National Park, forest plantations, and the Bahía Junquillal National Wildlife Refuge and caused losses due to damages or temporary closures. Additionally, forest fires between 2019 and 2020 (March and April) affected 2,519 and 1,371 hectares, respectively, within ASP. In 2020, SINAC attended 67 forest fires within ASP and 149 on other properties, for which it had to deploy officials, volunteers, and contracted brigades—1,898 people—as well as provide training, equipment, and logistical support (SINAC-MINAE, 2020). For 2020, five types of vegetation were the most affected by forest fires: natural savanna (47%), wooded pasture (13%), secondary forest (12%), scrubland (charral) (12%), and pastures (8%) (SINAC-MINAE, 2020b).
2016), Other factors that contribute to the generation of vulnerability to climate change are the following (MINAE-MIDEPLAN-PNUMA, 2020), (SINAC-CONAGEBIO-MINAE, 2016), (BID-MINAE-SINAC-DDC, 2015):
Photograph: Priscilla Mora Flores, UNDP Costa Rica Text: Rodolfo González Ulloa The Universidad Nacional of Costa Rica estimates that 65% of the planet's plants require pollinators, and of these, the most important are bees. However, year after year, the number of trees and plants that provide the nectar that bees seek to produce their honey decreases. The change in land use, the increase in the use of agrochemicals, and the change in climate conditions affect the bee population and their productivity. Juan Bautista Alvarado, president of the Cámara Nacional de Apicultura, summarizes it with these figures: "Costa Rica exported honey to the US and Europe from 1918 until 1984. They were honeys of the highest quality and highly valued in those markets. Today, our production is not enough to satisfy the national market," says Alvarado.
Indigenous communities with few resources, opportunities, and services. Geographically restricted or fragmented ecosystems.
Insufficient vegetation cover or green network in population centers. Risk of forest fires in various regions during the dry season.
Rural and urban communities highly dependent on ecosystem services. People in conditions of poverty with limited access to ecosystem services.
Dependence of the productive sector on natural capital and ecosystem services. Few productive chains that sustainably utilize biodiversity. Unsustainable extraction of resources, contamination by agrochemicals and waste.
Conflicts between users over biodiversity resources and ecosystem services. Limited access to technical and scientific knowledge and its use in conservation.
Lack of financial resources for the sustainable and innovative use of biodiversity. Low budget for biodiversity and landscape protection: 0.1% of GDP. Lack of land-use and marine spatial planning with a long-term vision.
From the vulnerability presented and its interaction with threats associated with global warming, it is possible to identify the following potential impacts on the biodiversity sector (MINAE-MIDEPLAN-PNUMA, 2020), (MINAE-SINAC-DDC, 2015), (BIOMARCC-SINAC-GIZ, 2013a), (BIOMARCC-SINAC-GIZ, 2013b):
· Changes in the composition and structure of ecosystems as a result of physical (temperature) and chemical changes in waters and soils (associated with changes in the temporal dynamics of temperature and precipitation).
· Decrease in the geographic distribution and reproductive capacities of species. Decrease in the timber growth rate of some tree species.
· Reduction in the health of forests, wetlands, mangroves, and coral reefs. Reduction or deterioration of the populations of threatened species.
· Deterioration of ecosystem services and reduction of their availability. Greater presence of invasive species, pests, and diseases.
· Higher incidence of forest fires.
· Affectation of wetlands, coastal lagoons, estuaries, and beaches due to sea ingress. Affectation to sea turtle nesting due to alteration of the coastline. Reduction in the competitiveness of various activities that depend on biodiversity.
Health With the arrival of COVID-19 in Costa Rica in March 2020, the potentially most severe productive, fiscal, social, and public health shock in the country's modern history began, and its long-term consequences are yet to be seen (PEN, 2020). Faced with this vulnerability, the climate crisis could add threats and, with them, more pressure on the health system.
In relation to losses and damages in the health sector due to climate variability and change, it is necessary to highlight matters related to diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, all transmitted by mosquitoes. In 2018, 108 cases of malaria were recorded, an increase of 483% compared to 2017. Between 2014 and 2018, 60,194 cases of dengue were reported, and 2016 was the year of highest incidence (MINSA, 2019). Chikungunya fever reported 9,214 cases between 2014 and 2018, and 2015 was the year of highest incidence (MINSA, 2019). The Zika virus was detected in 2016, and from 2016 to 2018, 10,665 cases were reported (MINSA, 2019).
Among various factors that influence vulnerability to climate change, the following stand out (MINAE-MIDEPLAN-PNUMA, 2020), (Municipalidad de Curridabat, 2019), (MINAE, 2018), (MINSA, 2015), (MINSA, 2011):
- Sedentary lifestyle of the population and lack of options for physical activity. High prevalence of overweight and obesity.
- Abundant diarrheal diseases (associated with the availability or lack of drinking water and hygiene); vector-borne diseases and chronic diseases (diabetes, for example).
- Older adults, girls, and boys vulnerable to high temperatures and heat islands. High poverty rates and female-headed households.
- Greater difficulty for women, youth, and indigenous people to access opportunities.
- Domestic violence, especially towards minors and older adults, mainly towards women.
- Indigenous communities with few resources, opportunities, and services. Contamination of water sources.
- Deficient systems for water purification and wastewater treatment. Scarce water resources in the dry season.
- Lack of long-term spatial land-use and coastal-marine planning, incorporating the health variable.
- Overload of health services due to the COVID-19 emergency.
Photograph:
Fundecooperación para el Desarrollo Sostenible, Costa Rica From the vulnerability presented and its interaction with threats associated with global warming, it is possible to identify the following potential impacts on the health sector (MINAE-MIDE-PLAN-PNUMA, 2020), (MINAE, 2018), (MINSA, 2015), (MINSA, 2011):
Warmer and wetter conditions facilitate the multiplication of vectors such as mosquitoes. Increase in morbidity and mortality from respiratory diseases.
Higher incidence of diarrheal diseases and other waterborne pathologies, especially in areas affected by EME.
Higher incidence of skin cancer.
Older adults with a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases due to heat. Decrease in water availability for human communities.
Decrease in water availability in coastal communities due to saline intrusion. Destruction of crops and livestock herds by droughts and floods.
Impact on food production, distribution, and availability.
Loss of purchasing power and access to food due to climate events. Food and nutritional insecurity in the local and national population.
Destruction or deterioration by EHE of the infrastructures that facilitate health services.
Infrastructure In 2019, Costa Rican infrastructure rose 15 positions in the global competitiveness index on infrastructure, thanks to improvements in roads and ports. The country moved from 78th to 63rd place out of 141 nations evaluated, which placed it fifth in Latin America. Despite the progress, Costa Rica remains seriously lagging in roads. The behavior of public and private investment in recent years shows the urgent need to explore new mechanisms to carry out infrastructure works, without resorting to indebtedness, especially after the pandemic.
The infrastructure sector has suffered losses and damages due to variability and climate change. Public infrastructure—road, energy, drinking water, and irrigation—has experienced the highest annual losses due to EHE and droughts, 46% of the losses recorded between 2005 and 2016 (MINAE, 2018). From 2016 to 2020, disaster losses amounted to US$820 million, an increase of 266% (CNE, 2021), mainly due to the effects of Hurricane Otto and Tropical Storm Nate, which recorded the highest losses of the last 25 years (1% of 2017 GDP) (CNE, 2021). In both events, losses were concentrated on bridges and roads. Studies by the IDB and the WB have warned about Costa Rica's alarming loss data and the country's limited or non-existent fiscal capacity to face disasters (CNE, 2021).
The following factors contribute to determining the vulnerability of the country's infrastructure to climate change (RARE-GreenLAC, 2021), (MINAE-MIDEPLAN-PNUMA, 2020), (PEN, 2020), (MIDEPLAN, 2019), (MINAE, 2018):
· Infrastructure not adapted to the climate or with obsolete technologies and designs. Rural zones and indigenous territories with insufficient and deficient infrastructure. ASP with insufficient infrastructure for their operation and use.
· Constructions in unsuitable or unpermitted zones.
· Low-quality road network that affects the country's competitiveness.
· Insufficient connection of many agricultural and tourism zones with economic centers. Lack of telecommunications coverage in many productive zones.
· Population centers with deficient infrastructure. Urban development without recreational options.
· Lack of long-term spatial land-use and coastal-marine planning.
· Few financial options for communities, companies, hotels, farms, and others to acquire new adaptation technologies.
· Lack of a preventive and risk management approach in infrastructure development.
· Little use of opportunities for the use of green-blue infrastructure as nature-based solutions.
Photograph: Priscilla Mora Flores, UNDP Costa Rica Writing: Gabriela Rodríguez Hernández Hurricane Otto in November 2016 left nearly 11,000 people directly affected in the national territory, a large part of them in Upala. "Many years before Otto, the mountains began to be logged by more than 50%. When the hurricane arrived, the forest 'sponge' that previously absorbed the waters was no longer there and the devastation was worse. The entire mountain was devastated, the river overflowed and flooded places where a flood had never before been experienced" -Mayra and Aníbal, residents of Upala.
From the vulnerability presented and its interaction with threats associated with global warming, it is possible to identify the following potential impacts on the sector (MINAE-MIDE-PLAN-PNUMA, 2020), (CNE, 2021), (MINAE, 2018):
Increase in the use of water and energy due to extreme temperatures and heat islands. Impact on infrastructure due to destruction, wear, replacement, and maintenance. Impacts on coastal infrastructure due to flooding and changes in the coastline.
Interruption of vital public services such as health, education, energy, water, telecommunications. Increase in losses and damages to infrastructure.
Increase in operating costs for productive activities. Greater logistical and operational difficulties in the transport of goods and people. Discouragement of business and productive development.
Reduced attraction of investments. Loss of competitiveness.
Loss of jobs.
Tourism Before the global COVID-19 emergency, the Costa Rican tourism sector was estimated at US$5,000 million, 8.5% of GDP. However, the uncertainty and restrictions derived from the pandemic caused tourism in the country to decline sharply, by up to 70% in 2020 (ICT 2020). Even so, this activity is and will continue to be very important in the country, especially while its recovery is planned.
In 2015, Costa Rica moved from 47th to 42nd place in travel and tourism competitiveness, according to a report from the World Economic Forum. Of the 14 themes analyzed, Costa Rica obtained the best scores in safety, skilled workforce, prioritization of tourism in public policy, tourism plant, natural resources, and health and hygiene. The themes where it obtained the lowest scores were air infrastructure, ground infrastructure, and cultural resources (ICT, 2017). A relevant theme for the competitiveness of tourism in Costa Rica is sustainability, and an important tool is the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (Certificación para la Sostenibilidad Turística, CST), which has been granted to 248 hotels and 110 tour operators (ICT 2021).
This sector has suffered significant impacts from floods caused by the cold phase of the ENSO phenomenon and droughts caused by the warm phase of the ENSO phenomenon, both with impacts in the Región Chorotega. On the other hand, Hurricane Otto (2016) and Tropical Storm Nate (2017) caused large losses (Brenes Maykall & Girot, 2018) (CCT-Re, 2020). Some additional factors that determine its vulnerability to climate change are the following (MINAE-MIDEPLAN-PNUMA, 2020), (CCT-Re, 2020), (ICT, 2017), (Vargas, 2017):
· Difficulty for women in accessing housing, drinking water and health, training and employment opportunities linked to the tourism sector.
· Indigenous communities with deficient services (drinking water, electricity, internet) and on the margins of the main tourist routes.
· Roadway infrastructure of regular quality and obsolete designs.
· Occupation, invasions, and illegal constructions on the coast, threatening local ecosystems. Tourist buildings not adapted to high temperatures or the rational use of water.
· Urban tourist destinations without recreational options (green network, parks, sidewalks). Insufficient linkages between tourism and other productive chains.
· Limited access to knowledge to adapt the tourist offer to climate change. Lack of economic resources to generate added value for tourism.
· The CST, although it is an important sustainability tool, is still not in general use.
· Lack of long-term spatial land-use and marine planning, with a prevention and risk management approach, as well as adaptation to climate change.
· Tourism and associated employment collapsed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photograph: Giancarlo Pucci, UNDP Costa Rica From the indicated vulnerability and its interaction with threats associated with global warming, it is possible to identify the following potential impacts on the tourism sector (MINAE-MIDEPLAN-PNUMA, 2020), (CCT-Re, 2020), (Vargas, 2017):
Changes in the composition and distribution of species of tourist interest. Changes in the structure and functions of ecosystems of tourist interest.
Destruction or deterioration of tourist infrastructure due to expansion of areas subject to tidal flooding or changes in the coastline, due to an increase in sea level.
Increase in the use of water and energy due to extreme temperatures. Extended periods of extreme temperatures.
Decrease in water availability and unsatisfied demand.
Conflicts and confrontations over water, scenic beauty, and biodiversity. Collapse of coastal facilities.
Additional costs for protection works or replacement of facilities. Increase in operating costs.
Greater difficulty in the transport of goods and people.
Difficulties in carrying out some tourist activities due to rain or heat. Decrease in tourist demand, cancellation of services.
Deterioration of the quality of tourist attractions and destinations. Loss of the value of tourist properties.
Loss of tourism competitiveness.
Loss of livelihoods for the inhabitants Costa Rica conceives decarbonization and resilience as means to transform its development model and achieve a fairer and more prosperous future. To fulfill this objective, the country has been strengthening its climate action planning capacities for years. In 2010, Costa Rica published the National Climate Change Strategy (Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático, ENCC) 2010-20202, which, while prioritizing climate change mitigation, also began to lay the foundation for adaptation. A year later, the Climate Change Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Dirección de Cambio Climático del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, DCC-MINAE) was created under Decreto Ejecutivo No. 364337-MINAET, which coordinates the ENCC and the country's climate policy.
2 https://cambioclimatico.go.cr/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ENCC.pdf After the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015 and its ratification by the Legislative Assembly in 2016, Costa Rica developed a new legal and institutional framework for climate action.
In the months prior to the signing of the Agreement, Costa Rica presented its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 2015)3. In this document, the country proposed continuing to strengthen its institutionality for adapting to climate change with actions such as the creation of a National Adaptation Plan and the strengthening of the National Disaster Risk Management Policy (Política Nacional de Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres).
3https://cambioclimatico.go.cr/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NDC-2015-Costa-Rica.pdf?x54314 Following the commitments made in the NDC 2015, the country began to reformulate its public adaptation policy. As part of these important efforts, in 2018 the National Climate Change Adaptation Policy (Política Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio Climático, PNACC) 2018-2030 was made official through Decreto Ejecutivo No. 41091-MINAE4.
4 https://cambioclimatico.go.cr/politica-nacional-de-adaptacion/como-se-hizo The National Climate Change Adaptation Policy is the guiding framework that directs Costa Rica's actions in matters of adaptation. Decreto N° 41091-MINAE (MINAE, 2018a) makes the PNACC official (MINAE, 2018b) and mandates all Public Sector dependencies to implement the PNACC within their respective legal scope, and particularly the institutions of the sectors: Tourism, Water Resources, Biodiversity and Forest, Agriculture and Fisheries, Health, Infrastructure, and Energy.
During the last decade, various sectoral policies and plans have been developed that incorporate important elements to mainstream adaptation into development planning and thus strengthen Costa Rica's resilience to climate change. The following are some of the policies that include adaptation components: National Development and Public Investment Plan, National Wetlands Policy (Política Nacional de Humedales), National Sea Policy (Política Nacional del Mar), National Investments Plan for Sanitation, National Wastewater Sanitation Policy (Política Nacional de Saneamiento de Aguas Residuales), National Land-Use Planning Policy and Plan (Política y Plan Nacional de Ordenamiento Territorial), National Housing and Human Settlements Policy (Política Nacional de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos), Strategy and Action Plan for the adaptation of Costa Rica's biodiversity sector to climate change, National Biodiversity Strategy (Estrategia Nacional de Biodiversidad), National Decarbonization Plan, National Disaster Risk Management Policy and Plan (Política y Plan Nacional de Gestión de Riesgo de Desastres), Territorial Rural Development Policy (Política de Desarrollo Rural Territorial), Strategy for Low-Carbon Livestock (Estrategia para la Ganadería Baja en Carbono), REDD+ Strategy and Action Plan, Agricultural, Fisheries and Rural Sector Plan; and National Policy for the Protection Areas of Rivers, Streams, and Springs (Política Nacional de Áreas de Protección de Ríos Quebradas, Arroyos y Nacientes); among others (NDC 2020). Despite this, it is still necessary to continue strengthening the integration of adaptation into development planning instruments.
Climate change adaptation also gained greater prominence in the update of Costa Rica's NDC in 2020. The country used the NDC 2020 to also present its Adaptation Communication, in accordance with the commitments acquired by the country in Article 7, paragraph 10, of the Paris Agreement. The Adaptation Communication has 16 guidelines that detail actions Costa Rica will take between 2021 and 2030, as well as the support needs the country has. This Action Plan is closely linked to the NDC and is presented as the vehicle that will allow significant progress towards fulfilling the goals set forth therein during the 2022-2026 period.
Climate change adaptation has also had a direct link with risk management, and the articulation between both planning instruments has been strengthening. In 2021, the National Risk Management Plan 2021-2025 was published, which operationalizes the National Risk Management Policy (Política Nacional de Gestión del Riesgo). The PNACC and this NAP maintain a close relationship with this Policy and Plan.
Climate governance:
Costa Rica has a series of bodies that contribute to the governance of climate change adaptation at the national level. Some of the most relevant bodies to guide climate change action are the following:
The Ministry of Environment and Energy, which is the ministry responsible for climate issues and designs public policy instruments and articulates them through its dependencies. Among these are the Climate Change Directorate, the National Meteorological Institute (Instituto Meteorológico Nacional, IMN), the Environment Sector Planning Secretariat (Secretaría de Planificación del Sector Ambiente, SEPLASA-MINAE), and the National Center for Geoenvironmental Information (Centro Nacional de Información Geoambiental, CENIGA-MINAE).
The Interministerial Technical Committee on Climate Change (Comité Técnico Interministerial de Cambio Climático) serves as a space for coordination and meeting between different portfolios. It was created in 2011 by Decreto Ejecutivo 36823-MINAET as an advisory and support body to MINAE for monitoring the National Climate Change Strategy. The CTICC is permanent in nature and is based at the Climate Change Directorate.
The Scientific Council on Climate Change (Consejo Científico de Cambio Climático, 4C) was created by Decreto Ejecutivo 40615-MINAE in 2017 as a body to advise the Government on scientific research and technological development in climate change.
The Citizen Consultative Council on Climate Change (Consejo Consultivo Ciudadano de Cambio Climático) was created by Decreto Ejecutivo 40616-MINAE in 2017 as a platform for citizen participation to collaborate with the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contribution.
The National System for Risk Management (Sistema Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo), under the leadership of the National Emergency Commission (Comisión Nacional de Emergencia, CNE), operates as an inter-institutional body between all levels of the State. The Municipal Committees and Local Committees for Risk Management, as well as the Technical Advisory Committee of the CNE, are the bodies that make up the system.
The National Climate Change Metrics System (Sistema Nacional de Métrica en Cambio Climático, SINAMECC) is the official platform for institutional and sectoral coordination and linkage of the Costa Rican State to facilitate the management and distribution of information on climate change matters. SINAMECC was officially established in 2018 through Decreto Ejecutivo N° 41127-MINAE.
While some of these bodies have regional and local scales of operation, such as the National System for Risk Management, the majority of these coordination and governance bodies operate on a national scale. The planning and implementation of adaptation can be improved through complementary measures at all levels (IPCC, 2014). Therefore, it is vital to also have subnational spaces to advance climate change adaptation.
Given this need, since 2020 numerous efforts have been made to strengthen subnational capacities to integrate climate change adaptation actions into the regional and municipal planning of the country's development. As a result of this process, during the 2020-2021 period, capacities of regional actors were strengthened, and six action plans for climate change adaptation were developed in each region of the country, which were published in January 2022. The results of these processes have been integrated into the preparation of this national-level Action Plan.
Additionally, more than 20 cantons of the country are developing climate action plans or integrating climate actions into local development planning processes with the support of MINAE and other collaborating actors. Subnational government structures, especially those at the local level, are in a better position to identify and respond to climate change problems faced at the local level, since they have the mandate to identify and respond to development needs at the local level (UNDP, 2016). Therefore, it is essential to promote action 02 climate action in adaptation from the local level. However, as part of these accompaniment processes, it is also sought that the priorities embodied at the local level are in turn aligned with the prioritized priorities in the regional and national planning frameworks, thus achieving strategic links between the different levels of action.
Photograph: Priscila Mora Flores, UNDP Costa Rica 4. Scope of the National Adaptation Plan 2022 - 2026 The creation process of the National Adaptation Plan 2022 - 2026 took place between 2020 and 2022, with the participation of dozens of people from different sectors, the coordination of a Committee led by DCC-MINAE and consultants, in charge of preparing the document, as well as a Consultative Committee made up of representatives from different organizations and sectors, who provided feedback during the different stages of preparation.
The methodological basis for the development of the Action Plan was the document "Technical guidelines for the NAP process for least developed countries (LDCs)," from the UNFCCC. This Convention guide was complemented with other methodologies to manage uncertainty, vertically integrate subnational adaptation priorities with national measures, and identify opportunities for ecosystem-based adaptation. Below is a summary of the different stages used.
Table 2. Summary of phases for the preparation of the NAP.
As part of these four phases, approximately 40 participatory spaces and 30 bilateral meetings were held in the different regions and with different sectors of the country. In total, throughout June 2020 to February 2022, there was participation from representatives of more than 150 institutions from the public, private, and civil society sectors who provided their feedback during different phases of the process. Of the people participating in all the workshops, there was 46% participation by men and 54% by women. Anexo 2 provides a more detailed description of the methodological process used to elaborate the NAP. Anexo 3 provides a list of all the entities involved in the consultation processes.
The process also included articulation with different agendas (urban agenda, risk management, transport and infrastructure) as well as a deepening in the determination of adaptation measures for areas of essential life support that were identified through an analysis developed with the support of the United Nations Development Programme. These processes are also described in greater detail in Anexo 2.
In accordance with MIDEPLAN's Guide for the Elaboration of Public Policies, national plans, or action plans, are the instrument through which institutions define objectives, actions, indicators, and goals that must be executed in the short, medium, and long term and where the resources required to achieve them are estimated (MIDEPLAN, 2012). Furthermore, these "complement public policy and guide action towards expected results, in which priority issues are considered, not as a sum, but as priority and emphasis" (MIDEPLAN, 2016).
With this in mind, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), or Action Plan of the National Climate Change Adaptation Policy 2018-2030 (PNACC), seeks to guide the actions of the PNACC towards the achievement of the objectives and goals established therein, during the time period defined for the NAP.
Given that the general objective of the PNACC is "to transition towards a resilient development model for Costa Rican society, which avoids human losses and moderates the material damages generated by the adverse effects of climate change, contributes to the quality of life of the most vulnerable populations, and seizes opportunities to innovate and transform productive sectors and ensure the continuity of services" (MINAE, 2018), the general objective of the NAP has been established as follows:
"To guide the actions of the PNACC, during the 2022-2026 time period, towards the achievement of a development model that guarantees the climate resilience of Costa Rican society, that avoids human losses and moderates the material damages generated by the adverse effects of climate change, that contributes to increasing the quality of life of the most vulnerable populations, and that seizes opportunities to innovate and transform productive sectors and ensure the continuity of services." The PNACC defines axes, goals, and guidelines for climate change adaptation in the country. These elements, therefore, constitute the bases of the NAP, whose central reason is the identification of specific actions and indicators for these axes, goals, and guidelines for climate change adaptation in Costa Rica. Only the definition of specific actions under each guideline ensures that the NAP truly contributes to the execution of the PNACC. These actions must respect the guiding principles defined in the PNACC.
Photograph:
Priscila Mora Flores, UNDP Costa Rica In accordance with the National Climate Change Adaptation Policy 2018-2030, a series of principles have been defined, which are mentioned below.
| Resilience | Transformation | Innovation and competitiveness | Participation and inclusion of a gender approach and of different groups in conditions of vulnerability | Transparency and accountability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social equity | Universality | Prevention | Flexibility | Continuity of business and services |
| Economic and fiscal sustainability | Sustainability and interdependence | Territoriality, interterritoriality, and decentralization | Intersectorality | Shared public-private responsibilities |
The Action Axes of the NAP correspond to the axes of the PNACC, and are the following:
Table 3. Action Axes of the PNACC and its NAP.
5 Climate services are specific products that provide information for climate-smart decision-making by individuals and organizations, allowing society to adapt to climate variability and climate change.
These axes are divided into three "instrumental" axes and three "substantive" axes.
Instrumental axes:
Axes 1, 2, and 6 are considered "instrumental axes" as they create the necessary conditions to promote climate change adaptation. Therefore, and as detailed below, these seek to manage and/or create the necessary knowledge around climate change to make decisions (Axis 1); generate and use information to plan adaptation at its different levels (Axis 2), and finally direct investment towards what has been planned (Axis 6).
Substantive axes:
On the other hand, axes 3, 4, and 5 are considered "substantive axes" because they introduce key approaches through which adaptation should be promoted, which are management of biodiversity and water resources (Axis 3), protection of services and infrastructure (Axis 4), and adapted productive systems (Axis 5). The assumption behind these axes is that, if successfully achieved, the country will achieve the general objective explained above. Below are more detailed descriptions of the expected results for each of these axes, prepared within the framework of the MINAE-MIDEPLAN-FIIAPP 2019 study.
47 Photograph: UNDP, Costa Rica Key institutions and actors of local and regional development have accurate information to make decisions on climate change adaptation matters and have the capacities to interpret it and apply it in their respective fields.
Carlos Sequeira Orozco and Yendry Sandoval Arias using "Somos verdes," an application focused on reforestation. "Through technology, we conduct a survey of each of the species planted that allows us to monitor the survival of the trees, as well as map the impact and coverage of reforestation plans. For example, we can say that here we planted so many sota caballo trees, a species used to prevent soil erosion. This is important information to improve soil conditions and water resources," explains Yendry Sandoval Arias from the Colegio Técnico Profesional (CTP) of Guatuso. For Carlos Sequeira Orozco, administrator of the ASADA and Yendri's boss, this application is very useful because it helps them locate the forest patches from the reforestation campaigns they have done and thus monitor their coverage.
This first axis is a way of contributing to the Open Government policy focused on knowledge management and access to open data, by providing information that facilitates decision-making on adaptation at all levels of society. It seeks to generate robust information from the operation of systems for recording, monitoring, and forecasting climatic and hydrological factors and their impacts (climate services); to manage knowledge about the effects of climate change for decision-making on adaptation, enhancing the capacities of institutions and actors to interpret and apply that knowledge at local and national levels, and introducing relevant information into formal and non-formal educational systems for understanding the phenomenon and its effects. The development of local and institutional capacities for adaptation will focus on the most vulnerable institutions, communities, groups, and individuals, in accordance with human rights and gender equality approaches.
The four guidelines of Axis 1 aim to achieve the following results, which should collectively contribute to achieving the axis's goal.
Figure 9. Simplified results chain of Axis 1. Downwards, the specific results of each guideline are shown. At the bottom, the aspirational result is shown.
Source: MINAE-MIDEPLAN-FIIAPP (2019).
Result Axis 2 Institutional, regional, cantonal, sectoral, and territorial planning instruments incorporate climate adaptation criteria.
In the logic of the causal chain, Axis 2 is linked to the results of Axis 1, since it is assumed that planning for climate change adaptation at all levels must be fed by robust information on the subject.
This axis will seek to integrate climate change adaptation into territorial planning and management based on existing and new, more agile mechanisms, with special emphasis on participatory regional and local processes. For example, the regional development plans (planes regionales de desarrollo, PRD) in force in Costa Rica have objectives set for 2030; however, these plans could be reviewed beforehand to mainstream climate change adaptation into them.
At the regional, cantonal, and communal level, there are several planning tools, including:
Regional Plans Municipal Regulatory Plans Coastal Regulatory Plans Municipal Strategic Plans and Cantonal Human Development Plans INDER Territorial Rural Development Plans and DINADECO National Communal Development Plan At the sectoral level, the main planning tool will be the Institutional Operational Plans (Planes Operativos Institucionales, POI).
In this effort, human rights, gender equality, and integrated adaptation approaches will be considered, and adaptation processes will be enabled in urban, rural, and marine-coastal zones. This territorial planning will be carried out through the participation of diverse groups and those in greater conditions of vulnerability to climate change, in the selection, prioritization, and implementation of horizontally generated adaptation measures.
The axis includes 3 guidelines with their respective expected results.
Figure 10. Simplified results chain of Axis 2. Downwards, the specific results of each guideline are shown. At the bottom, the aspirational result is shown.
Source: MINAE-MIDEPLAN-FIIAPP (2019).
Result Axis 3 The ecosystems of Costa Rica are used sustainably by local communities and indigenous peoples; they offer goods and services through protected areas, biological corridors (corredores biológicos), wetlands, and hydrological basins that have natural infrastructure and resilient ecosystem services to generate co-benefits between mitigation and adaptation. There is sustainable management of water resources in the hydrographic basins, where the greatest water supply for human consumption is produced.
Twenty-eight years ago, in a sector of the school, there were pastures and areas where trees of camíbar and canfín were extracted for cooking. Today, these lands are protected areas that have become biological corridors (corredores biológicos). "Our goal has been to rescue native species as an alternative to reforest, improve the landscape of Upala, generate income, and protect water resources in the face of climate change." - Mayra Monge, the person in charge of the nursery at the CTP of Upala, an educational center that has become famous for the production, sale, donation, and reforestation with native species of Costa Rica.
Photograph: Priscilla Mora Flores Writing: Gabriela Rodríguez, UNDP Costa Rica In this axis, the priority is to enhance adaptation to reduce the vulnerability of biodiversity and water resources through the protection of biodiversity, the regulation of the sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services in the State's natural heritage (patrimonio natural del Estado), biological corridors (corredores biológicos), productive landscapes, and private reserves, both terrestrial and coastal and marine. This seeks to align incentives and measures that pursue the development/use of cutting-edge technology for efficient water use and adequate management of hydrographic basins for their sustainable use.
Result Axis 4 The continuity of public services and adequate protection of assets are ensured, improving the adaptive capacity of public investment to climate change.
Photograph: Priscilla Mora Flores Writing: Gabriela Rodríguez, UNDP Costa Rica In Costa Rica, community water management supplies about 30% of the population, more than 1,300,000 people who, day after day, can receive water with the quality, quantity, and continuity required by the standards. As part of actions to address climate change, the ASADA of Artola, located very close to Playas del Coco in Guanacaste, carried out the installation of piping with a larger diameter and resistance with the contribution of the Project in combination with the Costa Rican Red Cross, the Municipality of Carrillo, and private enterprise, which in turn allowed the installation of 9 fire hydrants (hidrantes) at different points in the community to address possible fires. This was done with the support of the project "Strengthening the capacities of Rural Aqueduct Associations (ASADAS) to face risks of Climate Change in communities with water stress in Northern Costa Rica," implemented by AyA and UNDP, with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
In this axis, the aim is to guarantee Costa Rican society the continuity of high-quality public services and adequate protection of assets (energy, telecommunications, water, health, education, road infrastructure, among others), whether public or private, to improve their capacity for adaptation to climate change, thanks to standards and guidelines for public investment.
The axis has four guidelines, three of them related to infrastructure and public services, and one specifically related to human and animal health. Guidelines 4.2 and 4.3, according to the logic of the theory of change, are closely linked, since it is assumed that the continuity of public services largely depends directly on the robustness of the infrastructure. Therefore, both guidelines require the same interventions to achieve the respective results, which is why they are shown in the same row in the following table.
Social and economic actors in all areas of the territory and sectors of activity, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, are eco-competitive and resilient to climate risks, thanks to the consolidation of best practices and the sustainable management of natural resources in different ecosystems, and the promotion of preventive actions and awareness-raising commitments on adaptive matter.
Photograph: Giancarlo Pucci, UNDP Costa Rica This axis focuses on promoting the transformation of productive sectors, ensuring the conditions for the continuity of their businesses and the protection of their assets, increasing adaptive capacity through the exchange of best practices and innovation for eco-competitiveness, raising consumer awareness, and taking advantage of opportunities that favor synergies between mitigation and adaptation in climate action.
Result Axis 6 Public and private investment processes and institutional management financing, aimed at reducing losses and damages through adaptation, are strengthened.
Photograph: Priscilla Mora Flores Writing: María Montero, UNDP Costa Rica Adilia Villalobos together with Pedro García manage Finca Integral El Jícaro, which participates in the Payment for Environmental Services (Pago de Servicios Ambientales, PSA) program. The transformation of the farm into an agroforestry project began in 2015, when they 're-founded' the property and gave a turn to their way of working the land, creating their own experiment in sustainable agriculture in a pineapple-growing region. They adhered to three principles: conserve the forest they already had, cultivate without agrochemicals, and reforest. With the support of the Payment for Environmental Services (Pago de Servicios Ambientales, PSA) program, from the Forest Financing Fund (Fondo de Financiamiento Forestal, FONAFIFO), they developed a first pilot plan to cultivate 550 organic pepper plants on poró trees as support, and 550 trees of native species. Within a period of five years, Finca El Jícaro was rewarded with ¢1 million, and its trees helped nourish the country's environmental statistics: the PSA has benefited more than 18,000 families since its creation in 1997, mobilizing since then more than $524 million in contracts aimed at the conservation of more than 1.3 million hectares.
Through this axis, the aim is to facilitate financial resources, public and private, both from existing and new sources, that effectively allow the implementation of adaptation measures and reduce losses and damages for vulnerable populations due to the adverse impacts of climate change. This must be done in a transparent and verifiable manner, under financial conditions for the active inclusion in the local economy of vulnerable populations, particularly women, through climate-resilient productive investments.
The vision of success of the axes is determined by the achievement of the different guidelines of the PNACC. This Plan seeks to provide specific actions for each guideline, in order to progress in their achievement. Section 6 presents these actions in the form of concrete products to be developed by different institutions.
4.5. Cross-cutting approaches Within the National Adaptation Plan, four cross-cutting approaches are considered, which ensure the inclusion of the needs and perspectives in the adaptation measures identified in the Plan for the different populations, emphasizing the groups in greater condition of vulnerability to climate change, which includes children, adolescents, young people, older adults, indigenous population (población indígena), Afro-descendant population, migrant population, population with some disability, among others. These approaches are:
· Human Rights approach.
· Gender equity approach.
· Approach of respect for the cultural particularities of indigenous peoples (pueblos indígenas).
· Integrated adaptation approach for ecosystems, community, and risk management.
02 The PNACC makes a brief mention of economic "sectors" to be taken into account for climate change adaptation. However, for the development of this Plan, and considering that this concept is not concretely established and that it can also change over time, it has been decided to work with "thematic axes" (ejes temáticos). The fundamental reason for working with thematic axes and not with sectors is that the weight of adaptation falls on certain themes rather than on economic sectors. These themes are generally cross-cutting to several economic sectors, becoming thematic axes.
An example of this is the management and assurance of water resources, which is as important for the industrial sector as for the agricultural sector, as well as for human survival in general. The same occurs with the theme of biodiversity, which is not only important for this sector, but also for the tourism sector, which develops its economic activity by taking advantage of natural resources. Another complex interrelation would be the theme of infrastructure. Decree No. 42465-MOPT-MINAE-MIVAH on general guidelines for resilient infrastructure establishes the concept of green infrastructure as the "interconnected network of green coverage or blue spaces that conserve the functions and values of natural ecosystems and provide associated benefits to the human population." In this sense, the theme of biodiversity intersects with infrastructure, which is itself a fundamental thematic axis for climate change adaptation, as is well represented in Axis 4 of the PNACC.
Therefore, with the intention of embracing the complexity of climate change adaptation, as well as the results of diagnostic processes and identification of climate risks used as a starting point for the elaboration of this plan, it will prioritize actions in six thematic axes, namely:
. Water Resources . Agriculture and Fisheries . Infrastructure . Biodiversity and Forests . Health . Territorial Planning (Ordenamiento Territorial) It is important to clarify that the tourism sector is not represented as a thematic axis because it requires the adequate adaptation of biodiversity, the assurance of water resources, resilient infrastructure, and adequate territorial planning (ordenamiento territorial). It is clear that, like all economic sectors, it requires specific measures for the sector, and these are represented in the actions. Something similar occurs with the energy sector, which was included within infrastructure, since what it requires are climate-adapted infrastructure measures, as well as assessments of water resources and other energy sources for electricity production.
The introduction of territorial planning (ordenamiento territorial) is perhaps the most striking in contrast with the PNACC. Considering the potential of territorial planning (ordenamiento territorial) to reduce risks associated with the climate, greater visibility has been given to the theme in this Action Plan. The regulation of human settlements and economic activities is fundamental to reduce their exposure to climate-related events and threats. Adequate regulation can save lives and reduce the losses and damages produced by hydrometeorological events. That is why territorial planning (ordenamiento territorial) became a thematic axis that, like the others, is cross-cutting to many sectors. These thematic axes served to develop previously described consultations, and are identified in the Plan's actions in case they pertain to any of the axes.
There are some actions that, due to their scale, do not belong to a single axis but are cross-cutting to all axes (for example, actions related to the generation of climate information/knowledge).
One of the greatest strengths of this NAP is the regional work that has been developed for the definition of actions with a territorial vision. Each territory, due to its geographical, biophysical, climatic, and socioeconomic characteristics, requires specific actions and presents particular opportunities to adapt to climate change. In a joint effort between MIDEPLAN and MINAE, between 2020 and 2021, six regional action plans for climate change adaptation were developed, one in each socioeconomic region of the country.
This NAP incorporates many of the actions prioritized at the regional level under a "bottom-up" priority-setting logic, based on the territorial knowledge of regional actors, including institutions, local governments, civil society organizations, community leaders, private enterprise, and academia, among others. The participatory exercise carried out at the regional level allowed the proposed adaptation solutions to be proposed and prioritized by the same actors.
To learn more about the inclusion of the regional perspective during the elaboration of the NAP, please visit Annex 2, which presents a more detailed description of the methodological process for the creation of said document.
5. General goals 2022-2026 for the adaptation of Costa Rican society to climate change Below, a series of general goals for climate change adaptation in Costa Rica are presented for each axis and guideline. It should be noted that the fulfillment of each goal will be obtained from the development of specific activities and products, which have been defined by a large series of public sector, private, and civil society institutions, and which are detailed in Annex 1 of this document.
This Annex details information about the institution that has committed to developing each product (and to also be responsible for its monitoring), as well as other actors expected to collaborate in its implementation. It also indicates the implementation period for each action and/or product, and specifies whether it will be executed with existing institutional financing or if its implementation is conditioned on obtaining external financing (see Section 7 on financing for further explanation).
02
| Guidelines | General goals for the 2022-2026 period |
|---|---|
| Guideline 1.1. Enabling of information platforms and climate services, within the framework of MINAE's National System of Climate Change Metrics (SINAMECC), in order to collect data and generate and disseminate climate scenarios at the necessary scales to facilitate decision-making and guide adaptation actions based on public and universal access information systems. | 10 active information and climate services platforms to facilitate decision-making and the orientation of adaptation actions |
| Guideline 1.2. Promotion of scientific research, systematic data collection, and current and prospective analysis of information on impacts, losses, and damages from hydrometeorological hazards, as well as quantification and analysis of costs, opportunities, and social benefits associated with climate change adaptation measures in different sectors. | 3 strategies and agreements established for the promotion of scientific research and systematic data collection related to the theme of climate change |
| 3 networks available for systematic data collection associated with climate hazards (tide gauge network, meteorological network, hydrometric network) | |
| 1 quantification prepared of costs, opportunities, and benefits associated with the implementation of climate change adaptation measures in the different sectors | |
| 1 digital repository with at least 473 studies, analyses, or projections prepared to facilitate the understanding of different actors about hazards, vulnerability, impacts, losses and damages, and/or climate-related risks for Costa Rica | |
| Guideline 1.3. Incorporation of climate change adaptation in an integrated manner at all levels of formal, informal, and non-formal education. | 73 didactic materials prepared, which facilitate the incorporation of the theme of climate change adaptation at different levels of education (formal, informal, and non-formal) |
| 61 activities implemented, aimed at strengthening the capacities of actors involved in different levels of education (formal, informal, or non-formal) in matters of climate change adaptation | |
| 1 climate training program focused on strengthening the capacities and skills of adolescents at the cantonal level established | |
| 1 accreditation system for risk managers (which integrates climate change) is operating |
| Guidelines | General goals for the 2022-2026 period |
|---|---|
| Guideline 1.4. Community management and participation in adaptation to reduce the vulnerability of communities and households to climate change, through the strengthening of capacities of local organizations and local emergency committees of the National Risk Management System (SNGR) to carry out adaptation initiatives and affirmative actions related to human rights and gender equality. AXIS 2. Promotion of conditions for the resilience of human and natural systems through territorial, marine, and coastal planning. | At least 2,097 municipal officials, from institutional offices or community-based organizations trained in climate change adaptation |
| At least 12 events executed that incentivize and/or strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations to implement adaptation actions | |
| 100 communities participate in capacity-building processes on risk management and adaptation | |
| 40 local multisectoral and inter-institutional commissions are strengthened for the integration of adaptation into territorial planning and management, guaranteeing the inclusion of groups in conditions of vulnerability, during decision-making processes associated with climate change | |
| Guideline 2.1. Development of criteria and guidelines for climate change adaptation in sectoral, regional, and territorial, marine, and coastal planning instruments, at different scales. | 100% of public institutions with concrete goals within the National Adaptation Plan 2022-2026 integrate adaptation and climate-associated risk management actions into their annual operational planning |
| 100% of regional and territorial rural development plans incorporate criteria and guidelines for climate change adaptation | |
| At least 97 national, sectoral, or intersectoral plans in force between 2022-2026, incorporate criteria and guidelines for climate change adaptation | |
| Guideline 2.2. Incorporation of adaptation criteria in municipal management, taking advantage of municipal regulatory plans (planes reguladores municipales), urban corridors, and any other planning instrument at the cantonal level operating in the country, in compliance with established norms and institutional competencies. | 1 regulation establishing the rules regarding the incorporation of the environmental variable in regulatory plans (planes reguladores) and other territorial planning instruments, incorporating the climate variable |
| 100% of coastal and territorial planning instruments presented between 2022-2026 incorporate criteria and actions for adaptation |
| Guidelines | General goals for the 2022-2026 period |
|---|---|
| 100% of the cantons have integrated adaptation criteria in at least one of their strategic planning instruments | |
| Guideline 2.3. Promotion of conditions for resilience at the communal level, applying the local capacities developed in Guideline 1.4 in the implementation of communal planning instruments, and articulating local investment for adaptation with local risk management plans. AXIS 3. Management of biodiversity, ecosystems, hydrographic basins, and marine and coastal spaces for adaptation. | At least 146 new initiatives related to risk management and adaptation to climate variability and change are implemented at the communal level |
| 2 voluntary recognition programs for adaptation actions are available at the community level | |
| At least 75% (62 cantons) of the country's cantons have some current voluntary recognition certification in adaptation matters | |
| 100% of rural development strategies (26 strategies - 1 in each territory of the country) incorporate considerations that promote climate change adaptation practices in economic activities | |
| Guideline 3.1. Promotion of ecosystem-based adaptation outside the State's natural heritage (patrimonio natural del Estado), through the conservation of biodiversity in biological corridors (corredores biológicos), private reserves, and farms under forest regime, to take advantage of opportunities that allow sustainable production and the promotion of connectivity between natural ecosystems, as well as the control of invasive species. | At least 419,950 hectares outside the State's natural heritage (patrimonio natural del Estado) promote ecosystem-based adaptation |
| At least 3,997 contracts are maintained under the Payment for Environmental Services Program, of which 791 are formalized with women owners or co-owners of farms and 53 are formalized in Indigenous Territories | |
| 40 ecosystem-based adaptation initiatives are developed outside the State's natural heritage (patrimonio natural del Estado) |
| Guidelines | General goals for the 2022-2026 period |
|---|---|
| At least 4 cooperation agreements with Municipalities of the Greater Metropolitan Area for the incorporation of ecosystem-based adaptation initiatives in the management of Interurban Biological Corridors | |
| Guideline 3.2. Guarantee the safeguarding of climate refuges for biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services for climate change adaptation, through the strategic management of areas under public domain of the National System of Conservation Areas and areas under special regimes. | 2 instruments developed to guarantee the safeguarding of climate refuges |
| 6 biological corridors (corredores biológicos) manage climate refuges for biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services for climate change adaptation | |
| 100% of conservation areas with marine-coastal ecosystems implement adaptation measures | |
| Guideline 3.3. Promotion of water security and sustainability in the face of climate change, through the protection and monitoring of sources and adequate management of hydrological basins, considering both surface and groundwater. | 4 instruments developed for the promotion of water security and sustainability |
| 20,580 operational wastewater provisions built for the promotion of water security in the face of climate change | |
| 4 Water Governance Forums (1 per year) executed, maintaining climate change adaptation as one of the thematic axes | |
| A 17% reduction in drinking water losses in supply systems is achieved | |
| 50% of officially delineated aquifer recharge areas | |
| 1 automated monitoring network, through which variations in groundwater levels, water temperature, and electrical conductivity are recorded, located in the Central and Huetar Norte region | |
| 2 capacity-building processes are carried out so that the corresponding goals for AyA within planning instruments for risk management are adjusted, so that they integrate climate-associated risks and incorporate climate change adaptation actions |
| Guidelines | General targets for the 2022-2026 period | | --- | --- | | Guideline 4.1. Strengthening of standards and guidelines for public investment with climate change adaptation criteria, that guarantee a resilient design of infrastructure and services and ensure their useful life and continuity of services. | 1 methodology developed for public investment projects with climate change adaptation criteria, that guarantee a resilient design of infrastructure and services | | 5 regulatory instruments associated with public investment are created or adjusted to guarantee the incorporation of climate change adaptation criteria in the design and construction of infrastructure and the continuity of public services. | | | Guideline 4.2. Protection of public infrastructure, through adequate risk assessment and the adoption of protection mechanisms that ensure the robustness of infrastructure works and other vital lines (aqueducts, transmission lines and communication towers). | 55,000 hectares evaluated for flood management and control, with a proposal of works and budgets to guarantee their resilience to climate change | | 75% of communal infrastructure projects and projects in indigenous territories designed and built based on risk assessment, including climate-related hazards | | | 3 analyses for risk assessment for sanitary sewer, aqueduct, and irrigation infrastructure, prepared | | | 1 body created to assume the follow-up on the design and implementation of adaptation measures for the Public Works and Transport Sector | | | Vulnerability and risk diagnoses for climate-related hazards have been developed for 100% of the vital and critical public infrastructure associated with the strategic and complementary national road network, airports, airfields, ports, the railway system, and river works | | | At least 75% progress in the design and execution of two monitoring programs for the protection and maintenance of public infrastructure | | | 20 applications of the Methodology for the Assessment of Climate Risks in Infrastructures of the CFIA | | | 1 flood control project in the lower basin of the Limoncito River, Limón, implemented | | | Guideline 4.3. Continuity of the institutions in charge of providing vital public services (health, education, water and sanitation, energy, transportation) in the face of the adverse effects of climate change, through the application of standards and guidelines with adaptation criteria. | 1 pre-feasibility study or expanded identification for energy storage | | Lineamientos | Metas generales para el periodo 2022-2026 | | --- | --- | | | 100% of the institutions or companies providing vital public services have business continuity policies | | 10 strategy projects in the five-year period for the protection of AyA's water resource use through the tariff for water resource protection | | | 100% compliance with the required works and operational tests for the commercial entry in 2027 of the 55MW contribution of geothermal energy and its addition to the electrical grid in the Chorotega Region to increase the region's resilience through the diversification of the energy matrix | | | 25 MW of solar energy incorporated into the electrical grid in the Chorotega Region to increase resilience through the diversification of the energy matrix | | | Guideline 4.4. Incorporation of climate change adaptation criteria in sanitary surveillance services, in both public health and agricultural health, incorporating early detection, prevention, and attention to pests and sanitary risks into respective practices. AXIS 5. Adapted and eco-competitive productive systems. Guidelines | 100% of the pre-investment studies for CCSS infrastructure projects incorporate climate change risk analysis | | 1 predictive surveillance system for agricultural pests and diseases attributable to the effects of climate change. General targets for the 2022-2026 period | | | Guideline 5.1. Strengthening of technical standards and guidelines for the resilience of productive sectors that enable sustainable and climate-smart production, and that guarantee food and nutritional security and the sustainability of resources in a context of climate change, based on the principles of extended producer responsibility and responsible consumption. | 5 instruments created for the strengthening of technical standards and guidelines for the resilience of productive sectors | | Guideline 5.2. Generation of the necessary conditions to promote innovation, investment, eco-competitiveness, and resilience of the economy to climate change, taking advantage of existing environmental certification schemes and incentives for climate change-adapted production. | 12 accompaniment programs to promote innovation, investment, eco-competitiveness, and resilience of the economy to climate change | | 1,430 hectares in total in agricultural production under irrigation and with efficient water use in the national territory | | | Guidelines | General targets for the 2022-2026 period | | --- | --- | | | 1 regional seed bank with identified crop varieties | | 3 inventories to promote innovation, investment, eco-competitiveness, and resilience of the economy to climate change | | | At least 1,045 people trained in climate change adaptation (businesswomen, businessmen, women, youth, older adults, indigenous people) | | | At least 1,735 businesses (companies, shops, and farms) have recognition for risk prevention and the implementation of adaptation measures in light of climate-related hazards | | | At least 1 workshop on climate incentives as a tool for creating climate change adaptation actions for the business sector | | | 6 cocoa clones and 5 coffee hybrids released, with greater resistance to new climate conditions and associated pests and diseases | | | 100% of institutions of the Agricultural Sector with personnel trained in risk management and adaptation to climate variability and change | | | 2 regional work teams organized to build capacities in fishing and aquaculture activities | | | At least 285 agricultural production farms that receive financial resources for the implementation of climate-resilient practices and/or use of technology adapted to climate change | | | 75% of small and medium-scale producers referred to crop insurance entities for disaster losses | | | 6 productive projects of women's associations for climate change adaptation negotiated and managed | | | At least 25 reservoirs built and operating in horticultural farms in the northern zone of the cantons of Cartago, Alvarado, and Oreamuno | | | Guidelines | General targets for the 2022-2026 period | | --- | --- | | | 17,000 hectares enabled with irrigation in the Chorotega Region, within the framework of the PAACUME Project | | 1,500 hectares enabled with agricultural drainage in the national territory | | | Guideline 5.3. Promotion of public-private partnerships for knowledge exchanges that allow for improving and scaling up resilient productive practices to reduce losses and damages, as well as to ensure business and service continuity. AXIS 6. Investment and financial security for climate action. Lineamientos | 1 pilot project developed for the generation of risk management plans in a value chain | | 5 business articulation events implemented for the exchange of experiences regarding climate change adaptation | | | 3 systematizations of private and public sector experiences developed regarding climate change adaptation | | | 1 coordination body for public-private partnerships for business continuity in disaster situations established. General targets for the 2022-2026 period | | | Guideline 6.1. Identification of climate actions in annual budget exercises, especially through the plan-budget matrix of public institutions, and ensuring the necessary financial resources for the implementation of climate change adaptation strategies and measures. | 4 instruments developed that guide national and international resources in the implementation of the National Adaptation Policy and Plan, adaptation programs and projects executed in the country | | 100% of the institutions responsible for actions within this Plan budget resources for risk management and adaptation to climate variability and change | | | Guideline 6.2. Strengthening of financial instruments for the conservation, sustainable management, and recovery of natural resources and for results-based payment for the provision of strategic environmental services for adaptation. | 6 financial instruments created or strengthened for the conservation, sustainable management, and recovery of natural resources | | At least 10 credit operations with women and/or vulnerable actors in productive activities are maintained | | | Guidelines | General targets for the 2022-2026 period | | --- | --- | | Guideline 6.3. Incorporation of adaptation criteria into financial risk transfer instruments, such as guarantees, insurance, and reinsurance. | 40% of insurance industry entities (insurers) incorporate climate change risk-related topics into their governance and risk management infrastructure | | 2 instruments (methodologies, guides, analysis, strategy) for the incorporation of adaptation criteria into financial risk transfer instruments, such as guarantees, insurance, and reinsurance | | | 100% of public service institutions have insurance as part of their business continuity program | | | Guideline 6.4. Incorporation of adaptation criteria and reduction of current vulnerability in post-disaster reconstruction and recovery processes. | 2 mechanisms for the incorporation of adaptation criteria and reduction of current vulnerability in post-disaster reconstruction and recovery processes | | 75% of producers with losses amounting to 50% or more obtain a reduction in interest rates | | | 100% of institutions regulated by the Public Services Regulatory Authority have a business continuity program | | 6.
Monitoring, follow-up, and evaluation of the NAP The management model for the monitoring and reporting framework of the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (NAP) consists of the mechanism for the request, reporting, storage, processing, visualization, and analysis of information associated with the targets established by entities for the fulfillment of the country's adaptation objectives, in accordance with the six axes of the National Climate Change Adaptation Policy 2018-2030. This is to facilitate adaptive management, provide data for reports and communications, contribute to learning, inform decision-making, and evaluate the planned actions for the fulfillment of the objectives established in the Policy.
Executive Decree No. 41091-MINAE, which formalizes the National Climate Change Adaptation Policy, indicates that public institutions will implement actions that must be incorporated into their operational plans and included in future revisions of their strategic plans. At the same time, it establishes that institutions must report to the Sectoral Planning Secretariat for Environment, Energy, Seas, and Territorial Planning (SEPLASA) on the performance indicators of the actions, which will report to the Rector Minister and coordinate its monitoring and reporting with the Climate Change Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (DCC MINAE).
Furthermore, Executive Decree No. 41127-MINAE establishes that the National Climate Change Metrics System (SINAMECC) is the official platform for the compilation and management of data and information produced by public institutions on climate change, and by the private sector, academia, and civil society when applicable. It indicates that SINAMECC is the platform for evaluating and monitoring adaptation actions, as well as the means of implementation and associated co-benefits.
Therefore, it is indicated that the competence for the follow-up of the NAP 2022-2026 will belong to SEPLASA and DCC MINAE, within the framework of SINAMECC, as shown in Figure 15. Box 11 establishes the management model for the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2018-2030, also integrating the activities associated with the monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the NAP 2022-2026. It is defined that the monitoring and reporting of the NAP indicators shall be annual. Box 12 specifically indicates the management model and periods for the request, reporting, processing, and visualization in SINAMECC of information related to the NAP 2022-2026 indicators.
Photograph:
Priscila Mora Flores, UNDP Costa Rica Figure 15. Actors involved in the follow-up of the NAP 2022-2026.
Box 6 describes the annual activities for monitoring, follow-up, and evaluation of the Plan. These activities will be implemented by SEPLASA and DCC-MINAE.
| Information request | SEPLASA and DCC-MINAE | Request for information from institutions and nodes through a specific instrument. It is anticipated that this instrument will eventually be a form within SINAMECC. | | --- | --- | --- | | Reporting of information by both institutions and nodes | Institutions responsible for commitments Information nodes | Recording of information associated with product indicators by the institutions and thematic institutional nodes in the collection instrument. | | Information storage | SEPLASA and DCC-MINAE | Systematization of all information received from institutions and nodes. | | Information processing | SEPLASA and DCC-MINAE | Analysis and organization of the information received from institutions and nodes. | | Visualization of information in SINAMECC | DCC-MINAE | Design of the platform in SINAMECC for the visualization of data associated with the NAP monitoring and follow-up indicators. | | Development of the annual NAP monitoring report | DCC-MINAE | Development of the report regarding the NAP monitoring and follow-up indicators. | | NAP monitoring and follow-up in SINAMECC | SEPLASA and DCC-MINAE | Systematic annual compilation of information on the actions taken and their results, maintaining regular reporting of the information within SINAMECC. | | Adjustment or establishment of actions | DCC-MINAE | This stage involves making collective decisions based on reflections and lessons learned from the monitoring, follow-up, and evaluation of the Plan. This implies either adjusting the prioritized actions in the plan [NG4] or adapting them in light of new knowledge, according to the established protocol. | | NAP impact evaluation | External entity | Evaluation of long-term results under the NAP implementation; for this, impact indicators will be identified. In the NAP context, the incidence of the products associated with the guidelines and axes on the expected results of the Policy and the targets guiding the institutions' commitment at the operational level is evaluated, based on the expected impact. | Box 6. Activities for the monitoring, follow-up, and evaluation of the National Adaptation Plan.
Reporting of information Targets associated with the National Risk Management Plan by the National Commission for Risk Prevention and Emergency Response (CNE) The collection and reporting of information on the indicators associated with the products linked to the National Risk Management Plan 2021-2025 is carried out through the CNE and is subsequently shared with the entities in charge of NAP follow-up. The CNE is the node for the collection of information on actions related to risk management.
Adaptation priorities identified at the regional level The development of the NAP is aligned with the Regional Adaptation Plans published in January 2022. The NAP integrates the regional targets, so the collection and reporting of regional actions carried out, their progress, and their results will be done through the mechanism and instrument developed within the NAP framework and aligned with the country's reporting needs for targets under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). MINAE will prepare a progress report every two years on the implementation of the regional action plans with the information that, within the SINAMECC framework, is collected during the reporting period on progress in execution and the achievement of commitments by the responsible institutions.
The indicators It is relevant to mention that NAP monitoring and follow-up is carried out through pertinent management indicators, defined as expressions that allow measuring the quantity of goods and services generated, as well as the degree of progress of climate actions at the input, activity, and product level, focusing on relevant aspects and avoiding measuring routine and operational aspects. Regarding the NAP, product or activity indicators are specifically measured, which are distributed by axis and guideline of the Policy. These indicators are established according to the adaptation products that the institutions have committed to implementing. Each indicator has information related to:
Target: product to which the institutions have committed.
Baseline: indicator data in year 0 of the Plan.
Responsible institution source of information: Name of the entities in charge of producing or supplying the information necessary for the construction of the indicator.
Institution responsible for reporting information: Name of the entities in charge of reporting the information.
Focal point: Name of the person in charge of reporting the information, position in the entity, email, and contact number.
The product or activity indicators, in turn, feed indicators that respond to the general targets defined for each guideline. The complete information on: indicators, baselines, institutions responsible for reporting the information, and on the focal points designated by each institution, is accessible through the platform of the National Climate Change Metrics System of MINAE.
87 Photograph: Fundecooperación para el Desarrollo Sostenible, Costa Rica 7.
NAP Financing The National Adaptation Plan 2022-2026 (NAP) will be complemented by a Resource Mobilization and Financing Strategy for adaptation, an instrument that supports decisions on financing and the identification of appropriate resource sources for the implementation of all the adaptation measures contemplated in said plan.
In its broadest sense, this Strategy will respond to the approaches of the National Adaptation Policy (PNACC) and aims to: "identify proposals for accessing financing sources and instruments and technical assistance, to support the implementation of priority adaptation measures for the country, which require an impetus from cooperation and specific and innovative financial mechanisms." The Resource Mobilization and Financing Strategy for Adaptation entails the review of financing sources for adaptation measures and options for channeling support. In this way, the different actors responsible for the measures could access the resources that make it possible to fulfill the products identified in the NAP. That is why its formulation contemplates the cost estimation of all the adaptation measures included in the Plan and the development of an exhaustive and meticulous consultation process with the institutional actors responsible for and collaborating in the implementation of the measures.
The cost estimation of the measures, as well as the financing needs and sources required for the proper implementation of the NAP, will be consulted with key actors from the institutional public sector, the business and financial private sector, and representatives of other key organizations and groups. This will allow for the identification of complementary and innovative financial mechanisms and the consolidation of the Strategy, which will be published during 2022 as a robust planning instrument to guide the implementation of the NAP measures.
8. Annexes Methodology used for the development of the Action Plan The process of creating the National Adaptation Plan 2022 - 2026 took place between 2020 and 2022, with the participation of dozens of people from different sectors, the coordination of a Committee led by DCC-MINAE and consultants in charge of preparing the document, as well as an Advisory Committee made up of representatives from different organizations and sectors, who provided feedback during the different stages of preparation.
Team in charge The Technical Committee was in charge of coordinating the process, under the supervision of the DCC of MINAE. This team was responsible for collecting the necessary information, selecting methodological approaches, generating the required analyses, carrying out the corresponding consultations, consolidating the adaptation measures, securing agreements with the entities responsible for fulfilling the measures, and drafting the final NAP document. The individuals who comprised it are listed in the credits section.
At the request of the Minister of Environment and Energy, an Advisory Committee was also formed, which offered technical feedback at four points in the process: 1) design of the methodological proposal for the NAP development, 2) presentation of the preliminary list of adaptation measures and definition of criteria for prioritizing adaptation measures, 3) presentation of the results of the participatory process for prioritizing measures, and 4) draft NAP, including its respective monitoring and evaluation strategy. The Committee was composed of institutions that play a strategic role in planning processes associated with environmental, climate change, and risk management issues, as well as some representatives from Academia and Civil Society. The Committee members have been involved in previous adaptation planning processes. Their composition is available in the credits section.
Process for the development of the Action Plan The methodological basis for the development of the Action Plan was the document "Technical guidelines for the NAP process for Least Developed Countries (LDCs)", from the UNFCCC. This Convention guide was complemented with other methodologies for managing uncertainty, vertically integrating subnational adaptation priorities with national-level measures, and identifying opportunities for ecosystem-based adaptation.
A summary of the different stages employed is presented below:
Phase 1: Identification of climate risks, adaptation needs, and opportunities for adaptation in the country's institutions, and thereby creating the necessary bases to subsequently advance in achieving the substantive results expected from axes 3, 4, and 5. needs and opportunities according to the country's economic and social development priorities. To do this, we started from an exhaustive diagnosis, composed of three parts: a) qualitative analysis of climate-related risks for Costa Rica; b) identification of the country's progress and challenges for Climate Change adaptation; and c) support and implementation needs. This diagnosis was prepared in 2021 as part of Costa Rica's 4th National Communication to the Climate Change Convention. The background section of this NAP presents a synthesis of the results of this analysis. However, the full version can also be accessed through this link.
Additionally, the process of defining the Theory of Change and developing results chains for each axis of the National Adaptation Policy (Figures 9-14 of section 4) was used as a starting point. These were developed in the 2019-2020 period by DCC MINAE and MIDEPLAN with the support of the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP)6, with the purpose of strengthening the conceptual framework and the monitoring and follow-up of the PNACC. These inputs provided greater detail on the process, milestones, activities, assumptions, and results expected to occur as a consequence of the PNACC implementation, as well as on the space available for each involved actor to internalize these axes and guidelines into their own actions.
It should be noted that said PNACC Theory of Change indicates the need to advance with the materialization of axis 1 results as a precondition for advancing across all the other axes. Furthermore, it posits the need to advance in axes 2 and 6 (instrumental axes) as a precondition for progress in the substantive axes 3, 4, and 5. Prior progress in the instrumental axes is a precondition because these create the capacities and inputs necessary to strengthen the mainstreaming of Phase 2: Identification, strengthening, and prioritization of adaptation actions through participatory thematic and regional processes Following the diagnosis phase, the NAP Technical Committee proceeded to develop a preliminary list of adaptation options at the sectoral, subnational, and national levels for each of the guidelines of the National Adaptation Policy, as well as a process for prioritizing adaptation actions. This was carried out with the support of various groups of actors who participated in different consultation processes conducted at the regional and sectoral levels under the leadership of DCC MINAE during 2020 and 2021. These consultation processes were carried out in different stages:
First cycle of thematic workshops to analyze and strengthen proposals for adaptation actions (2020):
As part of the process of preparing Costa Rica's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and Adaptation Communication, 9 workshops associated with adaptation were held, as well as a 15-day public consultation.
These workshops were organized in two phases. The first phase consisted of three virtual workshops with the participation of 150 leading actors from multiple sectors, where exploratory scenarios on Costa Rica's future by 2050 were created, based on a series of contextual factors that could change the country's future and affect the achievement of adaptation and mitigation targets. In phase two, three workshops were held, in which different actors explored and described the possible implications of future contextual changes for their sectors, based on the multiple future country scenarios created in Phase 1.
Subsequently, the participants analyzed how feasible it was to achieve the proposed climate targets through existing climate policies (including the guidelines of the National Adaptation Policy) within the context of the future scenarios, and provided recommendations to increase their robustness. These workshops were organized by clusters. To discuss climate targets in adaptation, two clusters were formed: i) agriculture and livestock, forestry, nature, water, and oceans, and ii) risk and disaster management, land-use planning, infrastructure, and tourism.
It should be noted that, as part of this process, bilateral consultations were also conducted with approximately 20 experts in different sectors, who prioritized adaptation actions associated with the guidelines of the PNACC. These results served as inputs that were also consulted and validated during these workshops.
Regional workshops to identify and prioritize adaptation actions for each region (2020 - 2021):
Within the framework of the Plan A: Territorios Resilientes ante el Cambio Climático project, during the 2020 - 2021 period, 25 regional participatory workshops were held, with the participation of representatives from more than 45 public institutions, the private sector, and civil society. Through these workshops, priority adaptation measures were identified to increase climate resilience in each of the country's six socioeconomic regions. These goals have been integrated into action plans for each region available at this link, created to guide climate actions promoted within the framework of the Regional Development Committees in each region, as well as for the development of the MIDEPLAN 2015-203 Regional Development Policy and Plans, and for vertical integration between subnational and national adaptation planning processes through the inclusion of these measures in this National Action Plan.
Second cycle of thematic workshops (2021):
Between September and December 2021, a final cycle of virtual workshops and working groups was held to identify additional adaptation actions that would strengthen the plan against the main impacts of climate change. 42 public, private, and civil society institutions participated in these workshops. During these workshops, the opportunity was provided to propose complementary measures, and a prioritization process for the measures was carried out.
The aim was for the proposed options to contribute to reducing the main identified climate risks, as well as to address some of the country's needs, capacities, and opportunities in adaptation. Furthermore, the aim was for them to contribute to the different expected results for each axis of the National Adaptation Policy, verifying that these options addressed the identified climate risks.
Table 8 presents a summary of the dates and number of participants in each workshop cycle (effective participants, as more stakeholders were invited):
| First cycle of thematic workshops | ||
|---|---|---|
| Consultation with experts Water Resources; Tourism; Infrastructure; Land-Use Planning (Ordenamiento Territorial); Biodiversity and Forests; Agriculture and Fisheries | June 2020 | Agriculture and Fisheries (3), Biodiversity and Forests (4), Water Resources (4), Land-Use Planning (OT) (3), Tourism (3), Infrastructure (3) |
| 4 workshops for the creation of exploratory scenarios on the future of Costa Rica | August 7 and 31, September 7 and 14 | 150 |
| 3 workshops on Disaster Risk Management, Land-Use Planning (Ordenamiento territorial), Infrastructure, and Tourism in Costa Rica by 2050 | October 26 to 30, 2020 | 30 |
| 3 workshops on Agriculture and Fisheries, Forestry, Nature, Water, and Oceans in Costa Rica by 2050 | October 26, 28, and 29, 2020 | 60 |
| First cycle of regional workshops | ||
| Central Region (Central Alajuela Occidente, Cartago Central, San José Central, Heredia Central) | November 11, 24, 25 and December 8 | 78 |
| Chorotega | December 3, 2020 | 20 |
| Huetar Caribe | December 4, 2020 | 26 |
| Pacífico Central | September 22, 2020 | 25 |
| Huetar Norte | October 8, 2020 | 27 |
| Brunca | October 15, 2020 | 25 |
| Second cycle of regional workshops | ||
| Consultation with gender experts | April 28, 2021 | 16 |
| Consultation with adaptation experts | May 20 | 15 |
| Central | May 4, 2021 | 19 |
| Chorotega | May 12, 2021 | 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Huetar Caribe | May 7, 2021 | 28 |
| Pacífico Central | May 13, 2021 | 23 |
| Huetar Norte | May 13, 2021 | 16 |
| Brunca | May 6, 2021 | 20 |
| Third cycle of regional workshops | ||
| Central | September 30, 2021 | 25 |
| Chorotega | September 17 | 18 |
| Huetar Caribe | September 15, 2021 | 15 |
| Huetar Norte | September 22 | 25 |
| Brunca | September 16 | 19 |
| Pacífico Central7 | October 6, 2021 | NA |
| Second cycle of thematic workshops8 | ||
| Biodiversity | September 28, 2021 | 12 |
| Infrastructure | September 29, 2021 | 9 |
| Agriculture and Fisheries | September 29, 2021 | 10 |
| Water Resources | September 30, 2021 | 10 |
| Land-Use Planning (Ordenamiento Territorial) | October 1, 2021 | 9 |
| Thematic working groups | ||
| Education in Risk Management | November 18, 2021 | 11 |
| Climate Services | November 30, 2021 | 9 |
7 In the case of the Pacífico Central region, the workshop had to be cancelled on two occasions due to situations occurring in the region beyond the control of MINAE, so in this case the MIDEPLAN regional planning office channeled consultations to the stakeholders of the Regional Development Council through a virtual tool.
8 The thematic Health workshop could not be developed due to the lack of availability of authorities in this branch, possibly due to the attention of the Covid crisis. Coordination on this topic occurred through written communications.
| Ecosystem-based Adaptation | December 1, 2021 | 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Institutions | December 2, 2021 | 4 |
Table 7. Participants in the consultation workshop cycle.
Use of ELSA maps for mapping ecosystem-based adaptation actions.
Together with UNDP, an analysis was developed to identify which ecosystems would contribute to increasing the resilience of human, economic, and environmental systems to climate change. These areas, called ELSA (essential life support areas), were identified in the country for the first time for climate change adaptation. For this, a geospatial analysis was developed with the best data layers available nationally and some internationally. The analysis was co-created with national authorities and research centers, primarily, through three workshops. Three objectives were established that the ELSA analysis should reflect on the map:
Reduce human vulnerability to climate events Ensure ecosystem services for the human population Promote ecosystem adaptation to climate change Subsequently, the ELSA results were made available to the institutions responsible for ecosystem-based adaptation, and their use was encouraged for defining specific NAP actions. This map is located in the SNIT and is publicly accessible. Furthermore, the data layers can be found here.
Source: UNDP, 2021.
Articulation with the Urban Agenda and the Risk Management Agenda As part of the process, the alignment of the NAP with the risk management and urban agendas was also ensured. For the latter, a working session was held with the Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamiento Humanos (MIVAH) to identify common approaches and actions between the Política Nacional del Hábitat 2020-2040, the new policy governing the urban agenda in the country, and the NAP. In this way, criteria from the new policy were integrated into the NAP, such as joint actions from both instruments. Something similar was developed with the Plan Nacional de Gestión del Riesgo - PNGRD 2021 - 2025. This plan was widely consulted and agreed upon and contains important measures that contribute to or overlap with climate change adaptation. The process of aligning the disaster risk management and climate change adaptation agendas, undertaken by MINAE and the Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias (CNE), aimed to capture in the NAP those actions that were already formalized in the Plan Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos 2021-2025 and that are highly relevant for climate change adaptation. This exercise of integrating agendas not only avoids duplication of efforts but also promotes coordinated actions among stakeholders who would otherwise act independently. Furthermore, and very importantly, it streamlines the use of resources (financial and human) to achieve common objectives among the different public policy instruments.
Use of ELSA maps for mapping ecosystem-based adaptation actions.
In alignment with the PNACC, the climate change adaptation planning process sought to ensure the mainstreaming of the human rights and gender approach. On one hand, the plan-building process achieved the participation of representatives from different population groups, including populations particularly affected by the impacts of climate change due to their vulnerability status and/or who have been historically excluded. Thus, participation included representatives from women's associations, indigenous communities, the Afro-descendant population, and youth, who made important contributions to both the regional diagnoses and the proposals for adaptation solutions from diverse perspectives. On the other hand, the action plans integrate inclusive adaptation actions, some of them with specific attention to women, indigenous populations, and Afro-descendants, as measures that contribute to addressing inequalities in access to opportunities and resources that allow them to build resilience.
Table 8. Other processes carried out for the identification and prioritization of adaptation actions.
Phase 3: Determination of institutional arrangements for the implementation of adaptation actions With the measures defined, the next stage was the development of a consultation process with each actor responsible for implementing the measures to define the NAP implementation route, which must include the necessary institutional arrangements to achieve the implementation of the measures. Meetings, calls, and emails were held with all the institutions responsible for the proposed actions, leading to the formalization of commitment agreements with the ministerial office.
The process also included a cycle of bilateral meetings with key stakeholders and authorities to align visions and priorities, establish actions, and define the institutional arrangements necessary to guarantee their implementation.
Phase 4: Final validation Based on these inputs, desk work was carried out to finalize a document that could be submitted for public consultation. The document was prepared by the Dirección de Cambio Climático team and consultants, validated with the Ministerial Office and the Consultative Committee for feedback, and finally made available for public consultation on February 28, 2022. Following the comments received, a final version was prepared that underwent a final round of comments within MINAE before its final publication.
Table 16. List of entities participating in consultation processes 2020-2021 Aeropuerto Internacional de Limón Agencia de Cooperación Alemana para el Desarrollo (GIZ) Alianza Empresarial para el Desarrollo (AED) Alliance for Global Water Adaptation Asociación Agroforestal Chorotega Asociación Ambiental del Norte de San Rafael de Heredia (CONCEVERDE) Asociación Centroamericana para la Economía, la Salud y el Ambiente (ACEPESA) Asociación Costa Rica por Siempre (ACRXS) Asociación Costarricense de Movilidad Eléctrica (Asomove) Asociación de Familias Orgánicas Ramonenses (ASOFOR) Asociación de Mujeres Indígenas de Talamanca (ACOMUITA) Asociación Montaña Verde Asociación Nacional de Alcaldías e Intendencias (ANAI) Asociación Nacional de Mujeres Productoras Agroindustriales Rurales (ANAMAR) Asociación de Mujeres de África de Guácimo Asociación Preservacionista de Flora y Fauna silvestre (Apreflofas) Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (ARESEP) Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) Build Smarter Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) Cámara de Industrias de Costa Rica Cámara de Turismo de Costa Rica Cámara de Turismo y Comercio Cámara Empresarial de Grecia Cámara Nacional de Azucareros Cámara Nacional de Productores de Leche Cámara de Productores Agropecuarios de la Zona Norte y Zarcero (ACAPAZON) Cemex Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE) Centro Científico Tropical (CCT) Centro de Derechos Sociales del Inmigrante (CENDEROS) Centro Eco-Cultural Toina Fueja Centro Nacional de Información Geoambiental (CENIGA) Centro para la Sostenibilidad Urbana (CPSU) Centro Socioambiental Osa Colegio de Ingenieros Agrónomos Colegio de Periodistas de Costa Rica (COLPER) Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos de Costa Rica (CFIA) Comisión Asesora sobre Degradación de Tierras (CADETI) Comisión Nacional de Asuntos Indígenas (CONAI) Comisión Nacional de Emergencias (CNE) Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad (CONAGEBIO) Comisionado Gubernamental para la población afrodescendiente Comité de comunidades costeras de Santa Cruz (UNACOSTA - CONIMBOCO) Comité Sectorial de Educación en Gestión del Riesgo Comité de Desarrollo Rural Territorial Peninsular Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz S.A. (CNFL) Conelectricas R.L Consejo Nacional de la persona adulta mayor (CONAPAM) Consejo Nacional de Personas con Discapacidad (CONAPDIS) Consejo Nacional de Producción (CNP) Consejo Nacional de Vialidad (CONAVI) Consejo Persona Joven Conservation International Cooperativa Varablanca Ecoturismo Rural R.L. Coopesa Coopetarrazu Coopronaranjo Corporación Ganadera (CORFOGA) COPROARENAS Corporación Arrocera Nacional (Conarroz) Corporación Bananera Nacional (CORBANA) Costa Rica Wildlife Foundation (CRWF) Coyol Free Zone Dirección de Agua Dirección de Aviación Civil Dirección de Migración y Extranjería (DGME) Dirección Nacional de Desarrollo de la Comunidad (DINADECO) Dirección Superior de Operaciones Regionales y Extensión (DNEA) DIWO Ambiental Dole S.A Empresa de Servicios Públicos de Heredia (ESPH) Escuela Técnica Agrícola e Industrial EUROCLIMA+ Federación Metropolitana de Municipalidades de San José Federación Occidental de Municipalidades Florexcr Fondo de Financiamiento Forestal (FONAFIFO) Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia (UNICEF) Fuerza pública Fundación Elvira Fundación Madre Verde Fundación MarViva Fundación Para El Desarrollo De La Cordillera Volcánica Central (FUNDECOR) Fundación para el Fomento y Promoción de la Investigación y Transferencia de Tecnología Agropecuaria (FITTACORI) Fundación para la Sostenibilidad y la Equidad (ALIARSE) Fundación Suwo Di Fundecooperación para el Desarrollo Sostenible INCAE Business School Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AYA) Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (INCOFER) Instituto Costarricense de Pesca y Acuicultura Instituto Costarricense de Puertos del Pacífico (INCOP) Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) Instituto Costarricense del Deporte y la Recreación (ICODER) Instituto de Desarrollo Rural (INDER) Instituto de Fomento y Asesoría Municipal (IFAM) Instituto del Café de Costa Rica (ICAFE) Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) Instituto Meteorológico Nacional de Costa Rica (IMN) Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social (IMAS) Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA) Instituto Nacional de Fomento Cooperativo Instituto Nacional de Innovación y Transferencia en Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres (INAMU) Instituto Nacional de Vivienda y Urbanismo (INVU) JASEC Laboratorio Nacional de Materiales y Modelos Estructurales (LANAMME) LatAm Parque Logístico Liga Agrícola Industrial de la Caña de Azúcar (LAICA) Maleku Matadero Nacional de Montecillos RL Mesa Indígena de Costa Rica (MNICR) Mesa Nacional Afrocostarricense MINAE Dirección de Cambio Climático de Costa Rica (DCC MINAE) MINAE Secretaría de Planificación Sectorial de Ambiente, Energía, Mares y Ordenamiento Territorial (SEPLASA) Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (MICITT) Ministerio de Cultura y Juventud Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Comercio (MEIC) Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP) Ministerio de Hacienda Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica (MIDEPLAN) Ministerio de Salud Ministerio de Trabajo (MTSS) Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos (MIVAH) Mujeres emprendedoras de Zapatón Municipalidad de Curridabat Neutrópica Oficina Nacional de Semillas ONG Mujeres cosechadoras de Ostras Organización Climate4Change Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT) Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI) PRIAS LAB Productores de Café de la Zona Alta del Valle Central Occidental RL Productores de Leche Dos Pinos, RL Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD) Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente (PNUMA) Programa Integral de Mercadeo Agropecuario (PIMA) Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica Red de Jóvenes por el Agua (RJXA) Red de Juventudes Rurales Red de Juventudes y Cambio Climático (RJCCCR) Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (RECOPE) Secretaría de Planificación Sectorial de Infraestructura y Transporte Secretaría Ejecutiva de Planificación Sectorial Agropecuaria (SEPSA) Secretaría Técnica Nacional Ambiental (SETENA) Servicio Fitosanitario del Estado (SFE) Servicio Nacional de Aguas Subterráneas Riego y Avenamiento (SENARA) Servicios Múltiples de Transportistas Turísticos Aeroportuarios RL Sistema de Banca para el Desarrollo Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC) Superintendencia General de Seguros de Costa Rica (SUGESE) Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC) Unión Cantonal Pococí Unión Cantonal Siquirres Unión Nacional de Gobiernos Locales (UNGL) Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) Universidad EARTH Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA) Universidad para la Paz (UPEACE) Universidad Técnica Nacional (UTN) 02 Alvarado, L. 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