Going “green” is not only good for the planet and ourselves; but for those businessmen that can see a little ahead into the future. As more and more companies and individuals are busy creating awareness in the mind off the population, another sector is quite busy developing more alternatives for the public, and yet another one is looking forward to purchase the best in order to save more money.

Alvaro Umaña, former Ambient Minister for Costa Rica, now main representative for Central America on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) met this last Tuesday with different members of the private sector to gather information destined to formulate new strategies to develop real solutions to the many issues presented by the Climate Changes in the Central America area.

This meeting was actually set in motion thanks to three main entities, the INCAE (The leading business school in Latin America, you can read more about them here: Costa Rica New Digital Approach) The British Government, and the Central American Commission for Ambient and Development.

This initiative helps to set the stage for a future meeting between the Central American Presidents in late May in Honduras. There the main topic will be none other than prepare for the main challenges that the climate changes will present to the region; and also develop an action plan to deal with them.

Let’s see some numbers!!

Many companies are aware that turning to simple practices, like “effective light usage” (that translate into using the natural light as best you can), strategic changes in the cooling and different refrigeration alternatives, and a tighter control on the electric power usage can represent savings that can go from 10% up to a 40% in a year.

Another interesting note is the one from Gustavo Camacho, vice president in charge of logistics and development for Wal-Mart in Central America. According to Camacho Wal-Mart initiatives in this area had brought to the company benefits for over $1.2 millions. (Just last year)

Costa Rica is hungry for more “green” options, and now is the perfect time to present achievable ideas and solid business proposals in this area.