Given the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, global leaders are seeking solutions to re-activate their economies while preserving the climate and mitigating the risk of future environmental crises. Costa Ricas National Decarbonization Plan sets the ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2050 and lays out a series of actions that government officials, sectoral stakeholders, and more generally Costa Rican citizens would need to implement throughout the economy to decarbonize. The extent to which the implementation of the decarbonization plan can be part of an effort to restart the economy post covid depends on the costs and socioeconomic benefits it entails. In this study, we developed an integrated model that estimates the benefits and costs of implementing the decarbonization plan in all major sectors, informed by consultations with numerous government agencies, industries and non-governmental organizations. In our central scenario, decarbonization brings $41 billion in net benefits to Costa Rica between 2020 and 2050, using a 5 percent discount rate. In the land use sector, reducing emissions would lead to increased agricultural and livestock productivity, and increasing carbon sequestration by forests would lead to greater ecosystem services, such as renewable forestry products, water and soil benefits, and support for tourism and cultural heritage. In the transportation sector, the economic benefits from energy savings, fewer accidents, time saved from reduced congestion, and the reduced negative impacts of air pollution on health more than compensate for the initially higher upfront costs of switching to electric vehicles and building infrastructure for zero-emissions public transport. Energy savings in buildings, efficiency gains in industry, and the economic value of recycled materials and treated water complete our estimates.
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ForewordThe health and economic crises reveal the limitations of current growth systems. Our un balanced relationship with the environment exposes us to zoonotic pandemics such as COVID-19. Meanwhile, the deficit of social development means that the same households that face the greatest economic difficulties also suffer the most from environmental crises like the pandemic. Today in Costa Rica and beyond, the priority is to stop the pandemic, alleviate its social impact, and reactivate the engines of the economy. We cannot go back to the old normal. This crisis has provided a glimpse of what the impacts of the climate crisis will bring if we do not change the development paradigm. We must move towards a sustainable recovery that creates jobs and fosters growth, but also increases inclusiveness and resilience, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and protects our ecosystems.The green, blue, and orange economy is the path out of this crisis. Environmental sustainability can bring social and economic benefits. The study you are holding shows that implementing the National Decarbonization Plan will bring USD 41 billion in net benefits to the Costa Rican economy between 2020 and 2050. Rural territories could benefit the most. Improving agricultural yields and the ecosystem services provided by forests, such as support to tourism, have immense value. They are worth far more than the investments needed to reduce emissions from agriculture and livestock and the opportunity cost of land dedicated to forests instead of crops or grazelands.The benefits of decarbonization in cities also outweigh the costs. Energy savings, reduced accidents, and improved competitiveness linked to less traffic congestion and lowering the economic health impacts of air pollution easily offset the initially higher costs of switching to electric ...
established in 1975, provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. IFPRI's strategic research aims to foster a climate-resilient and sustainable food supply; promote healthy diets and nutrition for all; build inclusive and efficient markets, trade systems, and food industries; transform agricultural and rural economies; and strengthen institutions and governance. Gender is integrated in all the Institute's work. Partnerships, communications, capacity strengthening, and data and knowledge management are essential components to translate IFPRI's research from action to impact. The Institute's regional and country programs play a critical role in responding to demand for food policy research and in delivering holistic support for country-led development. IFPRI collaborates with partners around the world.
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