Ministry of Environment and Energy (Costa Rica)

The Ministry of Environment and Energy (Spanish: Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, MINAE) is the government ministry of Costa Rica responsible for overseeing the country's environmental policy, natural resource management, and energy sector. MINAE is crucial for Costa Rica's commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Its responsibilities encompass a wide range of areas including:

• Environmental Protection: Enforcing environmental laws and regulations to protect biodiversity, manage protected areas, and combat pollution.
• Natural Resource Management: Overseeing the sustainable use of forests, water resources, and other natural assets. This includes regulating logging, mining, and fishing activities.
• Energy Sector: Developing and implementing energy policies with a focus on renewable energy sources like hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, and solar power. MINAE plays a vital role in Costa Rica's goal of carbon neutrality.
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Developing and implementing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• Protected Areas Management: Administering and managing Costa Rica's extensive network of national parks, biological reserves, and other protected areas, which are vital for biodiversity conservation and ecotourism.
• Environmental Education: Promoting environmental awareness and education among the public.
• International Cooperation: Representing Costa Rica in international environmental forums and collaborating with other countries and organizations on environmental issues.

MINAE works through various departments and agencies to carry out its mandate, including the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) and the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), though ICE is an autonomous institution it works closely with the Ministry especially on energy policy. The Ministry also interacts with other government ministries, NGOs, and the private sector to achieve its environmental and energy goals. MINAE plays a fundamental role in Costa Rica's image as a leader in environmental sustainability.