Costa Rica celebrated for including coastal wetlands in its Nationally Determined Contribution – EnviroNews Nigeria

Report on Costa Rica’s Enhanced Climate Commitments and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Renewed Commitment to Environmental Leadership

On November 21, 2025, the government of Costa Rica submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement, reinforcing its global leadership in environmental stewardship. The updated NDC includes significant commitments to the management, restoration, and financing of coastal wetland ecosystems. This strategic focus on “blue carbon” ecosystems aligns Costa Rica’s national climate action plan with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), positioning the nation at the forefront of integrating nature-based solutions into its development strategy.

Alignment with Global Sustainability Frameworks

The Paris Agreement and Blue Carbon Ecosystems

Nationally Determined Contributions are the primary mechanism through which signatories of the 2015 Paris Agreement outline their efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Costa Rica’s revised NDC demonstrates escalating ambition by joining nations like Belize, Jamaica, and Kenya in prioritizing the safeguarding of blue carbon ecosystems—mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes—as a core component of its climate strategy.

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Costa Rica’s actions provide a direct and measurable contribution to several key SDGs:

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The NDC is a primary tool for achieving SDG 13. By focusing on the carbon sequestration potential of coastal wetlands, Costa Rica is implementing effective mitigation strategies. The restoration of these ecosystems also enhances coastal resilience, addressing critical adaptation needs.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The conservation and restoration of mangroves and seagrasses directly support the health of marine environments. These ecosystems serve as vital nursery and spawning habitats for marine species, contributing to the protection of marine biodiversity and the sustainability of fisheries.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The initiative advances the goal of protecting and restoring critical wetland ecosystems, which are essential for biodiversity and ecological balance.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Healthy coastal ecosystems support sustainable livelihoods in local communities through fisheries and tourism, promoting inclusive economic growth.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The development and implementation of the NDC have been supported by partnerships between the Costa Rican government, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and Conservation International, exemplifying effective multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Strategic Objectives of Costa Rica’s 2025 NDC

Building on Previous Success

The 2025 NDC builds upon the ambitious targets set in 2020. Progress since then includes enhanced institutional coordination and the launch of a National Blue Carbon Strategy and Action Plan. These foundational efforts have paved the way for the more robust commitments outlined in the current submission.

Key Commitments for 2025-2035

Costa Rica has committed to a series of specific, time-bound targets within its NDC submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):

1. Inventory and Classification: To develop a comprehensive baseline inventory of the country’s blue carbon coastal wetland ecosystems by 2030, including a classification of their carbon storage potential. This directly supports evidence-based policymaking for SDG 13 and SDG 14.
2. Ecosystem Restoration: To restore 2,000 hectares of mangroves by 2030 and an additional 1,900 hectares by 2035. This total of 3,900 hectares will result in measurable carbon drawdown and significantly contribute to SDG 14 and SDG 15.
3. Sustainable Financing: To establish a permanent and sustainable financing mechanism for the conservation and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems by 2035. This ensures the long-term viability of the initiative, a key principle for achieving all related SDGs.
4. Measurement and Reporting: To integrate measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems for blue carbon into the national greenhouse gas inventory, enhancing transparency and accountability in line with SDG 13 targets.

Conclusion and Stakeholder Endorsements

The updated NDC has received praise from governmental and non-governmental partners. The Pew Charitable Trusts highlighted the continued scaling of Costa Rica’s ambitions. Costa Rica’s Ministry of Environment and Energy emphasized the commitment to strengthening institutional capacity to protect wetlands and enhance the resilience of local communities. Conservation International noted that the NDC demonstrates a clear commitment to leveraging ocean and wetland benefits for biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate resilience. Costa Rica’s comprehensive approach serves as a model for integrating climate action with the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article is centered on Costa Rica’s climate action plan, specifically its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement. It discusses efforts to mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon in “blue carbon” ecosystems and adapting to its effects by reducing coastal erosion. The entire context of the NDC is to strengthen the global response to climate change and limit global temperature rise, which is the core objective of SDG 13.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

The article explicitly focuses on the “conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of ‘blue carbon’ coastal wetland ecosystems (mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes).” These are marine and coastal ecosystems vital for marine biodiversity, as they provide “nursery and spawning habitats for fish.” Costa Rica’s commitment to restore thousands of hectares of mangroves directly contributes to the health and resilience of marine environments, aligning with the goals of SDG 14.

SDG 15: Life on Land

While mangroves are coastal ecosystems, they are also a type of wetland, which falls under the purview of SDG 15. This goal aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The article’s focus on restoring mangrove wetlands and classifying wetland ecosystems contributes to the conservation of biodiversity and the services these ecosystems provide, which is a key aspect of SDG 15.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article highlights the collaborative effort between different entities to achieve these environmental goals. It mentions The Pew Charitable Trusts praising the government of Costa Rica, and notes that Pew “is proud to have worked through a range of partnerships to support some of the research, financial, and technical capacities needed to make that happen.” It also quotes partners from Conservation International and Costa Rica’s Ministry of Environment and Energy, showcasing a multi-stakeholder partnership between government, NGOs, and international organizations to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article’s main subject is Costa Rica’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which is a national climate action plan. The text states that the country has committed to “manage, restore, and finance coastal wetland ecosystems within its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement.” This is a direct example of integrating climate measures into national policy. The development of the “National Blue Carbon Strategy and Action Plan” further supports this target.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration. Costa Rica’s commitment to “Restore 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres) of mangroves by 2030 and an additional 1,900 hectares (4,700 acres) by 2035” is a direct action for the restoration of coastal ecosystems. The article also mentions the goal is to ensure these ecosystems are “protected and restored to strengthen the resilience of our local communities.”
  • Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas… The article discusses “bold and ambitious coastal wetland conservation targets” and the development of a “marine payment for ecosystem services programme.” These actions directly contribute to the conservation of coastal and marine areas.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular… wetlands. The specific commitment to restore 3,900 hectares of mangroves, which are a type of wetland ecosystem, directly aligns with this target.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships… The article describes the collaboration between The Pew Charitable Trusts, Conservation International, and the government of Costa Rica. Pew’s role in providing “research, financial, and technical capacities” exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership mobilizing resources and expertise to support a country’s sustainable development goals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several specific, measurable indicators that can be used to track progress:

• Area of restored ecosystems: The most direct indicator mentioned is the area of mangroves to be restored. The article specifies a target of “2,000 hectares (4,900 acres) of mangroves by 2030 and an additional 1,900 hectares (4,700 acres) by 2035, for a total of 3,900 hectares (9,600 acres).” This provides a clear, quantifiable metric to measure progress towards Targets 14.2 and 15.1.
• Development of national inventories and systems: The article states Costa Rica committed to “Develop a baseline inventory of the amount and condition of blue carbon coastal wetland ecosystems in the country by 2030.” It also committed to “Integrate measurement, reporting, and verification systems for blue carbon within its national greenhouse gas inventory.” The completion and quality of this inventory and these systems serve as indicators for Target 13.2.
• Establishment of financing mechanisms: A key commitment is to “Establish a sustainable and permanent financing mechanism for the conservation and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems by 2035.” The creation and operational status of this mechanism is a clear indicator of progress. This also relates to the “marine payment for ecosystem services programme” mentioned.
• Policy and strategy implementation: The submission of the updated NDC itself is an indicator. Furthermore, the implementation of the “National Blue Carbon Strategy and Action Plan” serves as a qualitative and procedural indicator of the country’s commitment to integrating climate action into its national planning (Target 13.2).

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: environewsnigeria.com