HDI : 0.776 ( High ) HPI : 44.7 ( 1st ) GGE : 0.53 NSC : N / A

Ranking first on the Happy Planet Index , Costa Rica has managed to keep its greenhouse gas emissions near zero despite being a relatively developed country . Even the country ’ s low investment in solar is not as big a problem as it seems ; Costa Rica has abundant geothermal and hydroelectric resources , making solar energy less important . In the 1990s , the country passed a series of “ green culture ” laws including the tax-funded National Forests Law that protects forests , waters , biodiversity and natural beauty as both tourist attractions and scientific resources .

Other green initiatives include the Eco-Marchamo , which is a voluntary complementary tax that allows drivers to offset 100 % of the emissions generated by fuel consumption for one year , and the Carbon Neutral Framework that incentivises good environmental practice by Costa Rican companies .

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