The countries that have contributed to climate change the least are often among the ones that will feel the impact the most. They also often lead the charge in sustainability efforts. At the top of that list is Costa Rica, the first modern carbon neutral country in the world.
According to the Green Business Bureau, Costa Rica is 98 percent free of deforestation. Access to nature — importantly, prioritized for citizens as well as for tourists — is paramount. Protected ecosystems, local-led sustainability programs that improve the economy while protecting the environment, high-efficiency standards in buildings and transportation, and an investment in renewable energy (nearly all of Costa Rica’s power comes from hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, and solar power) make the country not just a sustainability leader in Central America, but around the world.
