The NAMA Livestock initiative has received international recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for its contribution to strengthening sustainable agrifood systems under the One Health approach.

This recognition comes as Costa Rica continues to transform its livestock sector through practices aimed at improving productivity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience to climate change. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), more than 4,100 farms covering approximately 200,000 hectares are already participating in the initiative.

What is NAMA Livestock?

NAMA stands for Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions. In the livestock sector, the initiative serves as a tool to promote lower-emission and more efficient production.

The measures include pasture, soil and water management, the incorporation of trees into livestock systems and the development of silvopastoral practices. According to FAO, these approaches can help reduce emissions per unit of production while improving productivity and the sector’s resilience.

More than 4,100 farms are already applying the measures

According to MAG data published in September 2026, more than 4,100 farms are already implementing practices promoted through NAMA Livestock, covering around 200,000 hectares.

The measures are designed to improve productivity and farm income while promoting soil conservation and adaptation to changing climate conditions. They include more efficient use of natural resources, improved water and soil management, the incorporation of trees and actions aimed at reducing emissions.

Production and climate action

Livestock farming plays an important role in Costa Rica’s economy and rural development and occupies around 37% of the country’s territory.

At the same time, the sector contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through enteric fermentation. For this reason, NAMA Livestock has been incorporated into the country’s broader climate policies and strategies.

The role of silvopastoral systems

Silvopastoral systems combine trees, pasture and livestock on the same land. Their implementation can contribute to soil protection, provide shade and additional sources of feed for animals, and support biodiversity.

These practices are also linked to ecosystem restoration and the conservation of forests and wetlands. They can help livestock farms become more resilient to periods of drought and heavy rainfall.

A strategy linked to the country’s climate targets

NAMA Livestock is included in Costa Rica’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2025–2035.

The document establishes targets to expand the initiative, including reaching 6,895 farms in 2027 and 9,794 in 2030. These targets are linked to the availability of climate financing, institutional strengthening and technical assistance.

The NDC also establishes objectives related to the proportion of the national herd and pasture areas incorporated into the initiative, as well as estimated greenhouse gas emission reductions.

New opportunities linked to carbon

In June 2026, FAO organized a technical consultation in Costa Rica on regulated and voluntary carbon markets in the livestock sector.

Costa Rica was selected to host the meeting in recognition of its experience with sustainable livestock production, climate action and systems for measuring environmental impacts, including soil carbon.

The development of carbon markets could provide new financing opportunities for sustainable livestock practices, although these mechanisms require reliable systems for measuring, reporting and verifying emissions and carbon sequestration.

Towards more resilient livestock farming

Climate conditions directly affect livestock production through the availability of water and animal feed, as well as overall farm productivity.

The practices promoted through NAMA Livestock are intended to reduce these vulnerabilities by improving resource management, protecting soils and water, increasing vegetation cover and encouraging production systems better adapted to changing environmental conditions.

Recognition accompanying an expanding process

The FAO recognition comes as NAMA Livestock continues to expand across Costa Rica.

The initiative forms part of a broader process of transformation in the livestock sector, with challenges that include securing climate financing, expanding technical assistance and strengthening systems for measuring and verifying environmental results.

Sources

• Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), “FAO reconoce a la NAMA Ganadería de Costa Rica por sus aportes al fortalecimiento de los sistemas agroalimentarios sostenibles”, September 23, 2026.
• Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), “La ganadería costarricense se transforma: NAMA Ganadería suma ya más de 4 mil fincas, con una cobertura de 200 mil hectáreas”, September 17, 2026.
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), technical consultation on regulated and voluntary carbon markets in livestock, June 1, 2026.
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), information on methane emissions and sustainable livestock farming in Costa Rica, 2023.
• FAO SCALA, Costa Rica – NAMA Livestock.
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Costa Rica’s Nationally Determined Contribution 2025–2035.