According to the latest Sustainable Development Report, Costa Rica ranks among the top countries in Latin America for progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Rather than treating environmental protection, animal welfare, and public health as separate problems requiring separate solutions, Costa Rica demonstrates how they strengthen each other.
Its integrated strategy, based on the One Health approach, sets the country apart in sustainable development.
We spoke with the Government of Costa Rica to understand how they turned this principle into policy.
How Costa Rica integrates animal health and welfare into its sustainable development strategy
“Rather than treating environmental protection, animal welfare, and public health as separate problems requiring separate solutions, Costa Rica demonstrates how they strengthen each other.”
1. Why does animal welfare matter to achieve the SDGs, particularly SDG 6 on clean water?
For Costa Rica, animal welfare is an integral part of sustainable development under the One Health approach. In fact, our experience has shown that water security, public health, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and animal welfare are all interconnected.
Healthy ecosystems provide clean and reliable water. Thriving wildlife and well-managed domestic animals help maintain ecological balance and strengthen community resilience.
A concrete policy example is Costa Rica’s National Blue Carbon Strategy. It includes nature-based policies that promote the conservation and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems, including wetlands and mangroves. By protecting these ecosystems and the services they provide, Costa Rica strengthens biodiversity conservation, coastal resilience and water security.
Achieving SDG 6 requires integrated solutions that recognise the close relationship between people, animals, and nature under the One Health approach. In Costa Rica, we believe that this vision complements the international recognition of the human right to a clean, healthy, balanced, and sustainable environment.
This understanding has guided many of the country’s public policies. By protecting forests, wetlands, biological corridors, and marine ecosystems, we simultaneously safeguard water sources, conserve biodiversity, improve animal welfare, and enhance human well-being.
“Healthy ecosystems provide clean and reliable water. Thriving wildlife and well-managed domestic animals help maintain ecological balance and strengthen the resilience of our communities.”
2. Could you share a relevant example of how Costa Rica has seen positive impacts from applying the One Health approach to national policies?
One of the best examples is Costa Rica’s Livestock Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (Livestock NAMA). This internationally recognised initiative demonstrates that agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare can go hand in hand.
Through silvopastoral systems, improved animal management practices, soil conservation, and efficient water use, the programme improves animal health and welfare while reducing pressure on water resources and strengthening the resilience of rural communities.
Silvopastoral systems mean cattle graze in shade under trees rather than in open pasture. Animals experience lower heat stress, have access to diverse feed, and face lower disease pressure. They require fewer antibiotics and medications.
Another important example is our Payment for Environmental Services (PES) programme. Together with broader conservation policies, it has helped Costa Rica reverse deforestation from about 21% forest cover in the 1980s to nearly 60% today. It protects biological corridors and safeguards the watersheds that provide drinking water to communities across the country.
For wildlife, forest restoration creates connected habitat where animals can move safely between protected areas, find food and breeding sites, and maintain healthy populations. A forest that is recovering is a forest where animals can thrive.
These experiences demonstrate that investing in nature delivers simultaneous benefits for ecosystems, animals, water security, climate resilience, and people.
“Investing in nature delivers simultaneous benefits for ecosystems, animals, water security, climate resilience, and people.”
3. What would you say to other governments that are struggling to integrate the One Health approach into their environmental, climate, or health policies?
Our first recommendation would be to break down institutional silos. The One Health approach requires governments to recognise that environmental, agricultural, water, and health policies are closely interconnected.
Protecting ecosystems protects water. Protecting biodiversity strengthens ecosystem resilience. Healthy ecosystems support healthy animals, and together they create healthier and more resilient communities.
Another lesson learned is the importance of creating innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms. Programmes such as our Payment for Environmental Services have demonstrated that investing in nature is also an investment in water security, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
International cooperation is also essential. Costa Rica remains committed to sharing its experience and working with partners worldwide to translate the One Health approach into practical actions that benefit people, animals, and the planet. Global challenges require integrated solutions, and the One Health approach offers exactly that vision.
Costa Rica’s legacy in sustainable development and the One Health approach
Costa Rica’s forest restoration is an example of reversing environmental degradation at a large scale. The fact that it happened whilst also improving animal welfare and water security demonstrates that integrated solutions can deliver multiple benefits in sustainable development strategies.
Animal welfare is not something to protect separately from environmental, climate, or public health goals. The connection works both ways: protecting animals protects the systems that support human wellbeing.
We thank the Government of Costa Rica for sharing their insights and experience.
