Essential News

San Jose, Costa Rica, December 13th, 2016. Costa Rica can become the laboratory of decarbonization around the world, reiterating its commitment to the environment and the efficiency generated by the responsible use of resources. With this clear objective and in order to become an example for other organizations in the country, the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE - for its acronym in Spanish), the agency in charge of attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Costa Rica, undertook an improvement process which allowed it to receive the Carbon Neutral certification in accordance to the country program "Costa Rica Carbon Neutral for the year 2021" and in compliance with the INTE-12-01-06 standard, granted by Instituto de Normas Técnicas de Costa Rica (INTECO) and the Dirección de Cambio Climático del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía (MINAE).

With this certification, CINDE joins 64 organizations that currently have the C-Neutral certification in the country, out of a total of 162,000 that currently operate in the country, according to the latest Informe del Estado de la Nacion.

For Andrea Meza Murillo, Director of Climate Change at MINAE, the world is heading for a major change of model in which Costa Rica can play a fundamental role.

"It is very important to have organizations such as CINDE being part of this effort, along with providing an example in the field of environmental responsibility, this represents a commitment to excellence and an understanding that emission reduction has a positive and direct impact on the business model and efficiency of the organizations," she added.

Jorge Sequeira, Managing Director of CINDE, said "through the C-Neutral certification we assume our responsibility with the environment, incorporating into our operation the sustainable management of natural resources, and their efficient and responsible use. At the same time, we encourage an environmental behavior in accordance to the world´s current needs, we sensitize our employees, investors and the companies established in our country to achieve a change in the way of acting and in the country model."

"Without doubt, CINDE is an institution that prides the country for its efforts in investment promotion and social welfare. In that sense, we share the common interest as organizations to promote the quality of life of Costa Ricans. INTECO feels delighted to have been the evaluator of the process and to be able to deliver this certification to CINDE as an organization that operates in harmony with the environment. We know that CINDE is an example for all the new companies and investments that Costa Rica receives and for those that currently operate," said Cristian Leñero Testart, Chairman of the Board of Directors of INTECO.

The report on greenhouse gas emissions carried out by CINDE was developed under the principles set out in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol of the World Resources Institute (WRI).

About CINDE

The Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE) is a private, nonprofit and apolitical organization that provides investment services for free. During its 32 years, CINDE has attracted more than 280 high-tech companies to Costa Rica, including worldwide leaders such as: Intel, Procter and Gamble, Hospira, Baxter, St. Jude Medical, Western Union and many others.

About INTECO

The Instituto de Normas Tecnicas de Costa Rica, INTECO, is the National Standardization Organization, according to Law No. 8279 of the year 2002. It is an association created in 1987, of a private nature, whose mission is "to develop the normalization of the country with the support of conformity assessment services and related products at national and international level, with a competent, credible and independent human team". It collaborates with the government sector and supports the country's private sector, to achieve competitive advantages in the domestic and foreign markets. The representation of all the sectors involved in the process of Technical Standardization is guaranteed by the Technical Committees and the period of Public Consultation, which is characterized by the participation of the general public. INTECO leads by consensus the development of national technical standards in compliance with Good Standardization Practices and provides the conformity assessment service in accordance with international standards. A technical standard is a document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics that can be used constantly to ensure that the materials, products, processes and services are appropriate. The INTECO standards are an ally to offer safe and quality products and services. For organizations, it is a strategic tool to reduce costs through reducing errors and waste, while increasing productivity. Standards allow organizations to access new markets, level the developing countries' market, and facilitate free and fair trade. For more information: 2283- 4522 / 2283- 4831 / web: http://www.inteco.or.cr/esp/