Costa Rica has an ambitious commitment to the environment: achieving Carbon Neutrality in 2021. This objective is supported by the country’s participation in global alliances such as the Paris Agreement, as well as internal efforts and policies such as the National Strategy for Change Climate.
To reach the goal, allies of the different social sectors such as companies, municipalities, and national producers have joined the initiative of the Government and more and more organizations that obtain the C-Neutral certification.
The leading brand in the “Café 1820” market joined the global efforts to reduce global warming, with the intention of being consistent with its ideals as a company. This year, its coffee roaster plant received the Neutral Carbon certification from Earth University and its Neutral Carbon Unit.
The process started with the company’s strong conviction to reduce carbon emissions that pollute the environment and thus collaborate with energy protection policies worldwide.
Fernando Rojas, Project Manager of Café 1820, explains that in order to achieve recognition, the brand had to make different efforts to reduce emissions and optimize resources in the toaster plant. Being carbon neutral meant a change in the production process of coffee roasting by controlling the gas burners in the plant. Making the combustion process of coffee roasting more efficient – which represents the main source of emissions – and promoting a more efficient and rational use of forklifts to reduce LPG gas consumption, were part of the implemented practices.
The “Café 1820” has been in the market for 24 years and it has been positioned for its high quality and characteristic flavor. Wagner Vega, taster of the brand, explains that the product is 100% national and combines harvests from different coffee producing areas throughout the country.
Like “Cafe 1820”, any company or project that wants to reduce its carbon footprint and is committed to the conservation and restoration of the environment can initiate the process of carbon neutrality following these steps:
– Quantify the emissions inventory
– Planning or implementation of actions or removal projects
– Procedures must be established and maintained
– Prepare a Report on Greenhouse Gases (GHG)
– An internal audit must be carried out
– Finally, an evaluation is made
In addition to the important contribution to the environment, being Carbon Neutral offers multiple benefits to organizations such as reduction in operating costs, access to new markets for consumers with environmental awareness, improvement in the ability to work in teams, well-being, and human development for the population.