Latin American nations take action on climate change

Through the promotion of agroforestry in Costa Rica and collective action in the Dominican Republic, two Latin American countries are leading the way on national strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

An article on the Natural Resources Defense Council staff blog looks at how these nations are not waiting for climate negotiations – such as those recently held in Doha, Qatar – to reach a resolution before taking action.

Costa Rica announced in 2008 that it had voluntarily set itself the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2021. Now the Dominican Republic plans to cut its emissions by 25% below 2010 levels by 2030.

Through strategies to promote organic agriculture, agroforestry and biodigesters, Costa Rica hopes to access funding for its Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). During the Doha climate talks their delegation served up the world’s first carbon neutral coffee. Reforestation has been another success story in the country, enabling Cost Rica to offset some of its emissions from the transportation sector.

Read the full story: Wake up and smell the (carbon neutral) coffee and other positive climate action from Latin America