The project “Technical Assistance for NDC Implementation in Costa Rica: Private Sector Engagement”, implemented by Climate Lead Group (CLG) for the Business Association for Development (AED), aimed to support the transition to a low-carbon economy by decarbonizing key industrial processes in Costa Rica. Funded by UNEP-DTU Partnership and aligned with national climate commitments, the project sought to generate technical inputs for decision-making in both the public and private sectors.

The project was structured around three main components: (1) technical and financial feasibility analyses for decarbonizing selected industrial subsectors, including the development of marginal abatement cost curves for emissions; (2) pilot implementation of sectoral roadmaps in the Food & Beverage and Construction/Real Estate sectors, with methodological adjustments based on lessons learned; and (3) training programs for the private sector to build capacity in decarbonization methodologies.

Key outcomes included the identification of cost-effective emission reduction options for industrial processes, the validation of participatory methodologies through workshops with public and private stakeholders, and the integration of climate adaptation criteria into sectoral roadmaps. The project also produced training materials to replicate the approach in other sectors, ensuring the sustainability of climate actions beyond the project timeline.

The project’s impact is evident in its contribution to updating Costa Rica’s NDC, providing robust technical data and mechanisms to align private sector actions with national climate neutrality goals. Furthermore, it laid the groundwork for future interventions in other industrial sectors, fostering a just and collaborative transition toward decarbonization.