The Tropical Science Center and the private organization Control Union Certifications (CUC) yesterday launched a stamp that will promote reforestation efforts to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions and fight global warming.

The stamp, worth $60, will be offered to businesses and individuals who want to help make up for the damage to the atmosphere caused by vehicles and manufacturing, explained CUC representative Laura Lang during a press conference.

For each stamp sold, 11 native trees will be planted in areas around the country. They have the capacity to mitigate 5.5 tons of carbon dioxide, the average amount of this gas produced by a car in one year.

The program, which has been in the works for two years, seeks to allow business to be an example for citizens to follow in reducing carbon dioxide, Lang said.

Tropical Science Center director Enrique Ramírez said he hopes this initiative will contribute to the Environment and Energy Ministry's (MINAE) plans to make Costa Rica the first country in the world to achieve a “neutral” balance of carbon emissions in 2030.