Costa Rican court orders climate change inclusion in environmental assessments

Costa Rica's Constitutional Chamber has issued a significant ruling, mandating that the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Minae) and the National Environmental Technical Secretariat (Setena) must incorporate climate change considerations into all environmental impact assessments.

The court has provided a timeframe of 18 months for these governmental bodies to implement the required changes. This directive underscores the judiciary's recognition of the urgency and importance of addressing climate change in the nation's environmental policies and future planning.

The decision is expected to lead to a more robust and forward-thinking approach to environmental protection in Costa Rica, ensuring that potential projects are evaluated not only for their immediate local impact but also for their long-term consequences related to climate change.