Abstract

Costa Rica’s failure to ratify the Escazú Agreement adopted in Costa Rica in 2018 raises several questions. In addition to the damage caused by this absence to Costa Rica’s international image as a country that guarantees human rights and has advanced environmental regulations, there is also a series of alleged ''arguments'' presented by the Costa Rican corporate sector, which are completely stripped by the economic reality of the 15 States that have already ratified this regional instrument. Additionally, the Costa Rican Judiciary has proceeded with fanciful interpretations to unnecessarily complicate the approval process of the Escazú Agreement, particularly those expressed by a member of the Constitutional Chamber. Strangely enough, her arguments coincide with those of some Costa Rican business chambers. In view of this non-ratification, Costa Rica’s traditional international leadership in environmental matters is seriously eroded, while after Argentina and Mexico (2021), Chile (2022), Belize and Grenada (2023), Colombia and Brazil are preparing to ratify the Escazú Agreement in the near future.

Keywords: Escazú Agreement; Corporate Sector; Costa Rica; Environment; Non-ratification; Judiciary Power