Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
In this episode, UNRISD Senior Research Coordinator Isabell Kempf talks to former President of Costa Rica, Mr Carlos Alvarado Quesada, about the experience of the Central American country in forming new eco-social contracts. Costa Rica has been a pioneer and world example in the race to halt the climate crisis. Alvarado explains how crucial to decarbonize the economy was diversifying it and putting people and common goods at the centre—instead of the extraction and exploitation of natural resources. This diversification, which has proven to be not only environmentally but also economically good for Costa Rica, is favored in healthy democracies, Alvarado argues, where social dialogue guides political processes and a sense of togetherness across the societal spectrum can prevent fragmentation and polarization. “It should not be taken literally, but Costa Rica’s example means that good change is possible.”
In this episode, UNRISD Senior Research Coordinator Isabell Kempf talks to former President of Costa Rica, Mr Carlos Alvarado Quesada, about the experience of the Central American country in forming new eco-social contracts. Costa Rica has been a pioneer and world example in the race to halt the climate crisis. Alvarado explains how crucial to decarbonize the economy was diversifying it and putting people and common goods at the centre—instead of the extraction and exploitation of natural resources. This diversification, which has proven to be not only environmentally but also economically good for Costa Rica, is favored in healthy democracies, Alvarado argues, where social dialogue guides political processes and a sense of togetherness across the societal spectrum can prevent fragmentation and polarization. “It should not be taken literally, but Costa Rica’s example means that good change is possible.”
