The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – On Thursday, September 25, the World Sustainable Construction Week was honored by the World Green Building Council (WGBC) in San Jose.
The masses gathered to learn about sustainable building techniques for the country. Among the lectures was “Challenges of the Costa Rican Construction Industry to Reduce Waste” given by Liliana Abarca, Ph.D. In her speech, Abarca explained a model to determine the causes of construction waste based on the principles of industrial metabolism.
Alfonso Herrera also explained methods of energy management in the public sector under Costa Rican Law 7447 and
Decree 25584, which decrees that 12% of energy costs for organizations such as public sector institutions and government vehicle fleets must come from environmentally conscious sources.
All exhibits were very interesting, but one of the most futuristic came from Andres Villalobos Holcim from Costa Rica who focused on ‘Vision 2030’. His exhibit featured ambitious projects for the world by 2030, such as Mars One implimentation, crops in the seabed, organic laboratories, autonomous robots, and environmental rejuvenation inventions, among others.
However, the real question is: Can Costa Rica really be carbon neutral by 2021? And moreover, are Costa Ricans mentally prepared to take the next steps to make huge investments in both economic and cultural changes?
Costa Rica accepted the challenge to be carbon neutral before many developed nations like United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Many countries are waiting for the small but mighty country of Costa Rica to implement a precedent with its laws and decrees to efficiently achieve financial and social change for the welfare of planet Earth.
The World Green Building Council is working in Costa Rica to get companies and developers to achieve this goal that benefits all of us and our future generations through dialogue and internationally certified green building.
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose, Costa Rica