Costa Rica aims to be 'carbon neutral' by 2021
SAN JOSE (AFP) — Costa Rica plans to balance out carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to become "carbon neutral" by 2021, through a joint government-private enterprise effort, without foresaking economic growth, the environment minister said Thursday.
Roberto Dobles outlined the ambitious plan that includes substituting petroleum and its derivatives with biofuels, thrifty and efficient use of energy and reducing agricultural burn-offs, at the two-day National Meeting for Carbon Neutrality.
With Britain and Spain participating, Dobles said the gathering of around 60 business leaders, academics, non-governmental organizations and environmental activists will share experiences in the field and help Costa Rica focus on its goal.
He said that besides reducing and compensating CO2, methane and other greenhouse gases emissions by coordinating government policy with the private sector, the plan will also continue a tree replanting campaign that last year surpassed the five million goalpost.
"For 2008, we've set the target at seven million trees in rural and urban areas, surpassing the target set by France, a country with 64 million people (Costa Rica has 4.2 million)," Dobles said.
