Main Publications

These are some of the publications as researcher

 
Formulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projection Scenarios in Costa Rica 2021–2025. Baseline and Long-Term Projections (to 2050)
 
Develops short-, medium-, and long-term GHG emissions projection scenarios based on economic growth models, integrating socio-economic variables and commitments under the Paris Agreement.

📞 Contact: Ana Rita Chacón | +506 8981-4466

 
 
Financing, Technology Transfer, and Capacity Building Required and Received by Costa Rica

Evaluates the support needed and received in financing, technology development, and capacity building, applying a methodology to identify budgetary items linked to direct and indirect climate change actions.

📞 Contact: Ana Rita Chacón | +506 8981-4466

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Roadmap for the Financial Strategy in the 30×30 Initiative: Costa Rica’s Exclusive Economic Zone Protection Strategy 

Developed a roadmap to close the financial gap for effective management of 30% marine protection areas, integrating future scenarios and financial instruments.

📞 Contact: Ana Gloria Guzmán | +506 2253-0500

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Improving MSME Access to Credit in Costa Rica for sustainability

Analyzed the role of movable guarantees in expanding financial access and reducing barriers for MSMEs.

📞 Contact: Marlen Villanueva | +506 2105-8100

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Advances in Development Banking as Public Policy for Financial Inclusion

Evaluating the SBD’s Role in Employment and Equity
 and Exploring how Costa Rica’s Development Banking System (SBD) promotes financial inclusion and supports MSMEs.


📞 Contact: Miguel Gutiérrez Saxe | +506 8318-1076

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ECLAC: Financing for Development – Financial Inclusion of SMEs

UN Agency-backed Analysis of Costa Rica’s Development Banking System with the assessment of the effectiveness of public policy tools in promoting SME financial inclusion.


📞 Contact: Esteban Pérez | +56 2 2210 2065

 

 

Role of Policies in Supporting Adaptation to Climate Change of the Agricultural Sector

Reviewing the Policy Evolution in Costa Rica’s Agricultural Sector
 as national strategies for climate adaptation and risk management in agriculture.

📞 Contact: Ken Ash | +33 1 45 24 82 00

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IPCC Scenario Analysis – Costa Rica

Modeling Climate Futures for National Planning
Developed VCR scenarios to inform climate decision-making and policy alignment.


📞 Contact: Ana Rita Chacón | +506 8981-4466

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Management and Financing of Water Projects – Central America

WWF 8th Regional Process Study. 
Analyzed water governance and financing gaps across SICA countries, proposing inclusive strategies for Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panamá y República Dominicana. 

📞 Contact: Ronald Arce | +506 2437-2049 / +506 2253-0500

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Innovative Financing for Energy Efficiency Projects


Explored mechanisms to monetize energy savings and improve access to green finance.

📞 Contact: Edwin Trejos | +506 2256-4901

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Financing Options for GHG Projects in Costa Rica: Sector Analysis, Mitigation Potential, and Abatement Costs 2015-2050

This report evaluates Costa Rica’s potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a portfolio of mitigation projects spanning 2015 to 2050. It compares projected emissions under a Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario with outcomes from targeted mitigation measures. The analysis serves as a technical foundation for shaping Costa Rica’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) and guiding future climate action initiatives.

📞 Contact: William Alpizar | +506 8526-4972

📄 Full Report
📄 Executive Summary

 

Roadmap for Low-Emission Technologies in Public Transportation

Strategic Planning for Clean Mobility in Costa Rica
. Outlined long-term programs combining efficient combustion and zero-emission technologies.


📞 Contact: William Alpizar | +506 8526-4972

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Finance of Project for Market Readiness Proposal (PMR)

As part of the Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR), Costa Rica proposes the creation of a dedicated finance fund to support key sectors through targeted offset programs and potential Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). Initial focus areas include transport, energy, forestry, and waste management. The strategy remains flexible, allowing for the inclusion of additional sectors and refined actions as data and policy guidance evolve.

📞 Contact: Marcos Castro | +1 202-473-2238

Versión completa en inglés

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Sectoral Scenario Products

Sector

Scenario Focus

Link

Electricity

Grid decarbonization, renewable integration, demand-side management

Electric Sector Scenarios

🚗 Transport

Modal shift, electrification, fuel efficiency

Transport Sector Scenarios

🌾 Agriculture

Sustainable practices, emissions reduction in livestock and crops

Agriculture Sector Scenarios

🗑️ Waste Management

Methane capture, recycling, circular economy

Waste Management Scenarios

🏢 Sustainable Buildings

Energy efficiency, green construction standards

Sustainable Building Scenarios

 

Technology Needs Assessment for Climate Change

Develops a strategy for technology transfer and diffusion to mitigate GHG emissions and reduce climate vulnerability. Based on multi-sectoral consultations and barrier analysis.

📞 Contact: William Alpizar | +506 8526-4972

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Costa Rica’s TNA identifies priority technologies to support its climate goals, divided into two strategic pillars: mitigation and adaptation. These reports provide a roadmap for deploying climate technologies across sectors, aligned with national development and international commitments.

 

Technologies in mitigation

Focus: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors Highlights:

  • Prioritized technologies for energy, transport, agriculture, forestry, and waste

  • Evaluation of cost-effectiveness, scalability, and implementation barriers

  • Alignment with national mitigation targets and potential NAMAs

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Technologies in Adaptation

Focus: Enhancing resilience to climate impacts Highlights:

  • Technologies for water management, agriculture, health, and coastal zones

  • Assessment of vulnerability, institutional capacity, and co-benefits

  • Integration with national adaptation planning and risk reduction strategies

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Economic, Environmental, Institutional, Investment, and Policy Implications of a Transport System Integrated with the National Electric Grid

This study aims to assess the economic, environmental, institutional, investment, and policy implications of integrating Costa Rica’s transport system with its electricity system based on renewable energy sources, for the period 2015–2050. The objective of this report is to present the full results of the consultancy, the investment implications for the electric sector, and the policy recommendations derived from the study.

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Main Mitigation Measures and Economic Implications of Costa Rica’s Carbon Neutrality Program

Analyzes the economic transformation required to achieve carbon neutrality by 2021, including shifts in production and consumption patterns.

📞 Contact: William Alpizar | +506 8526-4972

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National Economic, Environment and Development Study for Climate Change (NEEDS)

NEEDS is based on an estimate of potential costs and impacts at the national and sectoral levels of the use of alternative technologies and production practices on the country’s capacity to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the case of Costa Rica, the analysis focuses specifically on its potential to achieve carbon neutrality (CN) by 2021.

📞 Contact: William Alpizar | +506 8526-4972

📄 Read Report – English

Marginal Cost of Carbon Sequestration Services in Costa Rica

This study aims to determine whether Costa Rica truly has a competitive advantage in forest-based services that would allow it to successfully capitalize on opportunities in the carbon market.

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CONACE: Changing Consumption Habits and Production Patterns Across a Nation

The National Energy Conservation Commission (CONACE) was created with the critical mission of designing and leading actions in the field of energy conservation and efficiency in Costa Rica. A key aspect of this mission is that changing energy consumption patterns requires altering the demand habits for goods and services, which in turn means acting on individual needs and the country’s production systems.

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Corporate Social Responsibility – Aluminios Nacionales (ALUNASA)

ALUNASA defined a corporate vision and began implementing a managerial philosophy based on a Values-Based Management system. This approach gradually transformed the company’s organizational culture. Rationalizing energy consumption was aligned with a strategic reorientation aimed at reducing the energy intensity of the company’s production, using a systemic approach.

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Corporate Social Responsibility – Best Western Irazú Hotel

Best Western Irazú positioned itself as a “hotel with environmental and corporate social responsibility,” launching environmental programs that helped reduce costs. Among these initiatives was an energy efficiency program, which not only lowered operational expenses and boosted competitiveness, but also helped maintain the hotel’s environmental image.

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