Watch: Costa Rica receives ‘Champions of the Earth’ award from UN

Costa Rice last week was named a United Nations “Champion of the Earth” for policy leadership.

The organization cited Costa Rica’s decarbonization plan as the basis for the award and said the country “has been a pioneer in the protection of peace and nature.”

President Carlos Alvarado accepted the award on behalf of his administration and Costa Rica on Thursday night, during the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly Week.

Watch President Alvarado’s acceptance speech below:

Costa Rica recibe el premio “Campeones de la Tierra”, la máxima distinción de @ONU_es a la labor ambiental. Este premio es para todas las personas que han construido nuestro país a través de la historia. ¡Sigamos ese camino! #UNGA #EarthChamps #AcciónClimática #ClimateAction pic.twitter.com/aU3XXnxeM5

— Carlos Alvarado Quesada (@CarlosAlvQ) September 27, 2019

“This award is consistent with a legacy,” President Alvarado said. “It’s consistent with what the generations of my grandparents and my parents had created for Costa Rica: Bold decisions in the past that now show and demonstrate to the world that it’s possible to have more than 99% of electricity that’s clean and renewable, to produce and make mobility, and also that it’s possible to reverse deforestation and other phenomena in the face of climate change.”

President Alvarado recognized “all the people of Costa Rica,” including teachers, indigenous communities, park rangers, firefighters and scientists.

“When you remain together, working jointly for change, good change happens,” he said.

President Alvarado said it’s his administration’s obligation to take Costa Rica’s efforts “to the next level.”

“We are all committed in Costa Rica to doing everything it takes,” he said.