Financial Gaps for Eco-Labeling in Costa Rica

This report analyzes the financial gaps faced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Costa Rica when seeking to obtain environmental eco-label certification under the National Environmental Labeling Program (PNEA, for its acronym in Spanish). The study provides an estimate of the costs associated with eco-labeling, the expected benefits for companies, and the various financing options that could be applied to address the identified gaps. Based on this analysis, the report presents a series of recommendations for implementation scenarios, in accordance with the responsible entities’ level of ambition and desired outcomes.

Finally, the report emphasizes that improving financial accessibility to eco-labeling will not only boost MSMEs’ competitiveness but also help strengthen Costa Rica’s transition toward a more sustainable, transparent economy aligned with both national and international climate commitments.

This document was developed under the framework of the EcoAdvance: Sustainable Labeling and Public Procurement project, implemented by the German Cooperation for Development (GIZ), in consortium with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Institute for Applied Ecology (Öko-Institut), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUKN) through funding from the International Climate Initiative (IKI).