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ICT obtains Carbon Neutral Plus designation

 

  • The designation is the highest possible under the Country Carbon Neutrality 2.0 Program.
  • The award is the result of joint work by all of the ICT’s departments and commitment by staff.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) is celebrating its recent achievement of the highest level under the Country Carbon Neutrality 2.0 Program: Carbon Neutral Plus. The distinction is the result of the sustainable action that ICT promotes as part of its institutional strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Setting an example begins at home”, said the Minister of Tourism, Maria Amalia Revelo. “We are promoting the country on the international level as a sustainable destination and it is our responsibility as the country’s leading public tourism body to reach the country’s objectives in terms of reducing carbon emissions”.

The ICT is the only state institution to have achieved the highest level of the Country Carbon Neutrality 2.0 Program for the organization category.

To attain the Carbon Neutral Plus designation, ICT analyzed data on the sources of emission in the institution’s central headquarters and regional offices, which it used as the basis to develop projects to reduce the use of fossil fuels and the consumption of electrical enegy.

In addition, the ICT had to reach two requirements: a grade of above 85 per cent from the Environmental Quality Directorate (DIGECA) and the offsetting of over 20% of its carbon footprint. This was achieved by purchasing Costa Rican offset units from FONAFIFO, which offset greenhouse gas emissions, measured in tons of carbon dioxide.

For nearly 10 years, the ICT has been combining environmental management alongside environmental programs such as the Ecological Blue Flag Program, the Climate Change category and the Institutional Environmental Management Plan (PGAI) from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MINAE). Beginning in 2015, it implemented an Environmental Management System, which includes the National Carbon Neutrality Program. It was first awarded for its efforts in 2017.

According to information from ICT’s Department of Certification and Social Responsibility, the Environmental Management System has monitored environmental actions that respond to the requirements of each program, with staff at every level and from every department from directors to cleaners and maintenance workers behind each of these actions. The key to success has been the full support of the General Management for the development of environmental activities and actions, which has resulted in all employees becoming involved, as well as the volunteer teamwork in various activities, and participation in environmental fairs, workshops, and more.

The various environmental efforts on the part of ICT and the country respond to international commitments, which Costa Rica upholds as a benchmark for sustainable development around the world