Technical Support Activities

Technical assistance was provided to 5 municipalities for the preparation and updating of their Climate Action Plans (PACs), ensuring alignment with national programs and the Common Reporting Framework (CRF) of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM). The municipalities were grouped into three categories based on their progress in climate action:

• Group 1: Municipalities like San Pablo, where climate action had not yet begun, received support to start drafting their PACs.
• Group 2: Municipalities like Buenos Aires and Oreamuno, which had partially advanced their PACs, received assistance to continue developing them.
• Group 3: Municipalities like Quepos and Zarcero, which already had climate action plans but required updates, were supported in aligning them with new climate targets and CRF reports.

Results: 5 PACs developed, with the necessary technical support and methodological guidelines for implementation.

Project Structuring and Financing Activities

Support was provided to 9 municipalities in structuring climate projects, with the goal of helping them access climate financing both nationally and internationally. This activity focused on preparing high-impact project profiles that could be financed through government programs, international cooperation agencies, and green financing mechanisms.

Additionally, work was done on developing a Climate Project Structuring Guide, based on the experiences and lessons learned from the support provided to municipalities. This guide will serve as a tool to facilitate the submission of projects in future financing rounds.

Results: 9 climate projects structured for financing and a methodological guide for project structuring.

Reporting Activity

Support was provided to 5 municipalities for reporting their climate actions to the CDP-ICLEI platform, using GCoM’s Common Reporting Framework (CRF). This activity allowed municipalities to improve their capacity to monitor their climate progress and comply with international reporting standards. The focus was on collecting accurate data on greenhouse gas emissions and identifying local climate risks.

Proper reporting and tracking climate progress is an essential step to ensure transparency and accountability in implementing Climate Action Plans.

Results: Technical assistance to 5 municipalities in submitting their climate reports.

Training Activities

Three in-person/hybrid workshops on local climate action were organized for municipal teams from GCoM signatory cities in Costa Rica. The workshops covered topics such as CAP development, integrating climate action into local planning, and accessing climate finance sources. These workshops were essential in strengthening the technical capacities of municipal teams and promoting climate action at various stages of development.

Additionally, a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is being developed, featuring 3 interactive modules on climate planning, reporting, and financing. The course will be available to all local governments wishing to deepen their implementation of CAPS.

Module 1, “Planning Climate Action in the Local Space,” is primarily aimed at technical staff responsible for environmental management and/or risk management in local governments that are GCoM signatories. Additionally, staff from other municipal departments with relevant interests or responsibilities may also access it.

The module will be available on the National University’s Permanent Education virtual platform. Municipal technical staff from local governments that are signatories to the Covenant and interested in accessing and completing the first module should go to the following link: https://www.aulavirtualep.una.ac.cr/login/index.php

To access the module, participants must have a username and password. To obtain these, they should send an email to [email protected] or [email protected] requesting the form and access information. A username and password will then be provided to access the virtual classroom. It is important to note that there will be specific enrollment periods for accessing the module, which will be announced in advance.

Results: 3 successfully completed workshops and a MOOC in development. *MOOC available soon.

Synergies, Climate Governance, and Visibility Activities

Promoting local climate action through the strengthening of robust governance has been one of the main objectives of this National Strategy. Throughout the process, dialogue on climate policies has been facilitated through the National Advisory Committee and other collaborative spaces. With the support of National Coordinators, UNGL and UNA, two high-level national events were organized: the Municipal Environmental Management Congress “Climate Action” (March 2023) and the National Event on GCoM Progress in Costa Rica (October 2024), where representatives from local governments, international agencies, and civil society organizations shared experiences and discussed advancements in climate action.

As part of the visibility activities, a web platform is being developed to gather key information on the achievements of the National Strategy, including success stories, interviews, and useful resources for GCoM signatory municipalities in Costa Rica. This platform serves as a centralized space where local governments can access up-to-date information and tools to advance their climate commitments.

The platform also allows users to learn more about the CGLACC Network and its alignment with the GCoM, facilitating the generation of synergies between various actors working on climate action in the country. This integration provides local governments with access to greater opportunities for national and international support, strengthening their capacity to advance climate action.

As part of the visibility activities of the National Strategy, three videos have been completed, which can be viewed at the top of this page, highlighting the efforts and progress of GCoM signatory municipalities in Costa Rica. These videos, designed to underscore the importance of local climate action, are key tools to promote climate governance and strengthen collaboration between local and international actors.

Results: The Municipal Environmental Management Congress “Climate Action” (March 2023) and the National Event on GCoM Progress in Costa Rica (October 2024).