Climate change in Puerto Rico facts for kids

A wide range of effects of climate change are currently being felt in Puerto Rico. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, it is more affected by climate change than any other country in the world.

Geographic location of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico's energy consumption is mainly based on imported fossil fuels.

Despite the relatively small size of the country, it contains several different ecosystems that are affected in different ways by a variety of effects of climate change.

The Puerto Rico Climate Change Council (PRCCC) has identified seven climate parameters that are unique to Puerto Rico, including air temperature, precipitation, extreme weather events, tropical storms and hurricanes, ocean acidification, sea surface temperature and sea level rise.

Apart from the environment, the consequences of climate change also have adverse effects on Puerto Rico's population. Such effects can be economic, but also related to human health or even forcing people to migrate.

Puerto Rico's society is becoming increasingly aware of the stresses imposed by climate change. This is also reflected in the country's laws and policies concerning climate change mitigation and adaptation aiming, for example, towards a shift to renewable energy. There are also a number of local initiatives working towards mitigation and adaptation goals as well as international aid programs that support reconstruction after extreme weather events and encourage disaster planning.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Puerto Rico is the 19th biggest emitter of CO₂ amongst the 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries, with industrial emissions, energy consumption, and transportation as the main sources of the island's net greenhouse gas emissions. The country's gross CO₂ emissions rose by 80% between 1990 and 2005. After 2005, emissions decreased roughly 42% until 2018. However, this decrease in emissions is partly due to population decrease. Between 2010 and 2020, the population dropped by almost 12% from about 3.8 to 3.3 million inhabitants due to migration to U.S. states as a result of the country's vulnerability to natural disasters and economic insecurities.

Energy Consumption

Puerto Rico's energy consumption is nearly 70 times higher than its energy production. Compared to the U.S. average, the per capita consumption is only about one-third as high. 58% of the country's total energy consumption is petroleum products. At 28%, natural gas accounts for the second highest share, while 12% of Puerto Rico's energy use is coal, and only about 2% renewables.

Puerto Rico aspires to increase the use of renewable energy. This is supposed to be achieved through policies like the Act No. 82-2010 “Public Policy on Energy Diversification by Means of Sustainable and Alternative Renewable Energy in Puerto Rico Act” and the work of local initiatives like, for example, Casa Pueblo. More information on this can be found in the respective sections below.

* Please note that the data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration is only provided in full millions of metric tons and that the calculated per capita data is therefore not an exact but only an approximate value. The indication with two decimals in this case does not provide exact values but has been chosen to provide the closest possible representation of the reality based on the available data.

Fossil Fuel Production

Puerto Rico has no reserves of fossil fuels. The country's energy consumption is mainly based on imported fossil fuels.

Köppen climate types of Puerto Rico

Impacts on the environment

To understand climate trends in the past, present and future, natural variability must be taken into account. Climate variability is the annual variation in climate, such as temperature and precipitation, within their normal range. Factors which contribute to natural variability in Puerto Rico are phenomena like the El Niño Southern Oscillation or other periodic events, such as volcanic eruptions. These natural factors are summarized as "internal climate variability" and are always present in the climate system.

In contrast to that, anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, changes in atmospheric concentrations (e.g. CO₂, methane) and land surface changes are a different influence on the climate system. In order to identify climate change signals, it is crucial to distinguish these human-induced changes from natural variability. Climate change signals can be observed as changes in the magnitude of variability as well as systematic trends over time. In summary, variability is a natural feature of the climate system and its understanding is fundamental for identifying signals of anthropogenic climate change.

Changes in Climate Parameters

Puerto Rico has a tropical climate with moderately high temperatures and high humidity all year round. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, it is more affected by climate change than any other country in the world.The Puerto Rico Climate Change Council (PRCCC) has identified seven climate parameters that are unique to Puerto Rico, including air temperature, precipitation, extreme weather events, tropical storms and hurricanes, ocean acidification, sea surface temperature and sea level rise.

Air temperature

The mean annual temperature in Puerto Rico has increased over the last 100 years, from about 23 °C in 1921 to 25 °C in 2021. The World Bank Climate Knowledge Portal publishes graphs which illustrate these changes in the mean temperature. Projections for future air temperature in Puerto Rico are consistent with global patterns. Compared to other islands in the Caribbean, the country shows a stronger trend of warming air temperature.

The central regions of Puerto Rico, which are at higher elevations, are experiencing faster warming than other parts of the island. In addition urban areas, like San Juan, have become urban heat islands (UHI). This means that they are warming faster than rural or vegetated regions. Studies in San Juan have shown that the UHI effect is permanent due to urban extension and leads to a temperature increase of over 4 °C compared to surrounding rural areas. This trend of greater urban warming is expected to continue, with San Juan reaching an average temperature of 27 °C by 2050, an increase of 1.5 °C relative to 1950 levels.

Extreme weather events

The number of days with maximum temperature is increasing in the country, while days with minimum temperature are decreasing.During the early 20th century there were approximately 100 days per decade which reached temperatures of over 32.2 °C. In 2010, however, the same number of heat days were reached within one year.

Precipitation

Being a tropical island, precipitation rates are naturally very high, especially in the north and central regions, which receive 3 – 4 m of rainfall every year. Within the country, rainfall varies from region to region due to topography and geography in relation to trade winds and oceanic circulation. Climate change is predicted to exacerbate these regional differences. For example, in some areas such as Old San Juan, there is a long-term trend towards a decrease in precipitation. This decline is expected to continue in future projections. In contrast, the southern regions of Puerto Rico, which have been drier in the past, show a positive trend in precipitation. The seasonal distribution of precipitation is also expected to become more pronounced, with wetter winters and drier summers. Overall, future projections indicate a further decrease in precipitation.

Concerning intense rain events, heavy rainfall has increased by 20% on average in North America, with the largest increase in the wettest regions. Puerto Rico has seen a 37% increase in heavy precipitation. There is only limited data available for future projections, which leads to conflicting forecasts for extreme precipitation in the country. However, the overall projections for the Caribbean region suggest a higher incidence of extreme precipitation events despite a decrease in total rainfall. In other words, rain will be less frequent but more intense.

Water resources

Potential impacts on water resources in rain-fed areas of the Caribbean include higher precipitation extremes, greater seasonal variability in water runoff, a higher likelihood of prolonged dry spells, and an increased risk of droughts and floods. In this context, prolonged dry periods and increased evaporation can lead to a decline in lake levels. This is a problem, as they are an essential source of freshwater. As water demand increases, groundwater use is expected to increase. This is especially true in dry months when surface sources decline. Prolonged dry periods could also lead to reduced soil moisture, resulting in an increased need for irrigation in agriculture.

Sea surface temperature

Over the last century, the surface temperatures of the Caribbean Sea have warmed by 1.5 °C. The warming of the sea surface is faster on the Caribbean coasts of Puerto Rico than on the Atlantic coasts. In addition, temperatures below the water surface are rising faster than surface temperatures. In 2018 researchers estimated that there will be an increase of more than 1 °C within 50 years. This would mean that temperatures would exceed the threshold for coral bleaching in about one third of the year. In addition, the threshold for the formation of deep convection storms will be exceeded throughout the year.

Sea level rise

The rate of sea level rise (SLR) in Puerto Rico has been measured at 1.7 mm a year based on historical records from tidal gauges since 1900, which is consistent with global trends. However, recent satellite data from 1992 onwards shows that this rate has almost doubled to 3.2 mm a year. Projections for the future SLR in Puerto Rico are similar to global estimates, with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommending updated bounds of 0.3 m to 2.5 m for end-of-century projections. The Caribbean region, including Puerto Rico, is particularly vulnerable to coastal flooding due to SLR.

Effect of Ocean Acidification on Calcification

Ocean acidification

As more carbon dioxide (CO₂) is released into the atmosphere, the ocean absorbs more CO₂, leading to a decrease in pH and carbonate saturation of the ocean. This process is called ocean acidification and it negatively impacts marine life and geological processes through reducing calcification rates and mineral precipitation. Puerto Rico experiences similar trends as the rest of the world, with decreasing average pH and carbonate saturation state. The rate of decline for aragonite saturation states in Puerto Rico is currently at 3% per decade and is expected to continue with ongoing emissions.

Damage after Hurricane Maria in 2017

Tropical storms and hurricanes

Since 1995, the North Atlantic area has experienced an increase in hurricane activity. However, this increase cannot be fully explained by human-induced climate change, but may also be influenced by natural variations. In general, it is difficult to predict future hurricane activity, especially on a regional scale, due to uncertainties in modelling parameters. However, many studies suggest that hurricanes worldwide will become less frequent but more intense, with higher wind speeds and heavier rainfall, resulting in greater destructive power.

In Puerto Rico, hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 were an example of these predicted climate change impacts that had devastating impacts in the Caribbean. One consequence of this is damage to the coral reefs of the country's coasts which dissipate wave energy. The lack of protection from the reefs, leads to an increased risk of damage by winter swells, resulting in coastal erosion and sediment displacement. The southern part of the island is particularly vulnerable to Atlantic hurricanes. In the future, rising sea surface temperatures are likely to lead to more intense rainfall, winds and storm surges.

Ecosystems

Ecosystems in Puerto Rico

Despite the relatively small size of the country there are several different ecosystems in Puerto Rico: coastal and marine ecosystems, dry forests and rainforests, the Puerto Rican karst, and mountainous areas.

Climate change is expected to have synergistic effects on ecosystems and species in Puerto Rico. This means that systems that are already under stress will be exposed to additional stressors, exceeding their adaptive capacity. This may result in loss of habitat, adverse changes in structure and function, or reduced benefits to society. While certain ecosystems and species may be able to adapt better to the changing environment, others may have more difficulty coping with the new conditions.

El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico

Dry and Rainforest

Today, about 40% of Puerto Rico's land area is covered by forests, consisting mainly of young mixed forests. These forests provide an important habitat for numerous plant and animal species. They are also an important source of water for municipalities, agriculture, and industry, which is vital for nearly 4 million people. At the same time, they are recreational areas. Using the changes in Puerto Rico's forests, models can be derived for understanding similar changes in other tropical islands as a result of human expansion. With the introduction of economically important crops and deforestation for pasture and charcoal production, the island's forests have changed dramatically over the past two centuries. One of the main factors in the disappearance of forests and old agricultural lands is economic development and increasing urbanization. The diversity of Puerto Rican forests in terms of location and type is so great that the number of different forest types has yet to be fully documented.

Climate change is having a strong impact on forests through higher air temperatures, changes in precipitation, more intense wind and water events, and sea level rise. All of these factors are altering species composition and forest structure due to changes in habitat.

Karst Landscapes

Puerto Rico's Northern Karst Exhibit

The Puerto Rican karst topography is a unique terrain formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks beneath the surface or with the help of groundwater. Karst topography is often linked with carbonate rocks, including limestone and dolomite. In Puerto Rico, limestone terrain covers around 244,285 hectares or 28% of the island's area, with 218,692 hectares in the north, 21,022 hectares in the south, and 4,571 hectares scattered throughout the remaining parts of the island. Karst landscapes are very vulnerable to climate change and human pressures, e.g. through tourism and agriculture. Human-environment interactions can have a critical effect on the components of the karst landscapes such as caves and their biodiversity. Puerto Rico's karst areas have been regarded as one of the world's most endangered karst areas. At the same time, it is the least fragmented habitat in Puerto Rico. Nowadays, there are efforts to promote ecotourism in the region to combine the economic benefits of tourism with environmental protection.

Laguna Joyuda in Puerto Rico

Wetlands

Puerto Rico has a variety of freshwater and marine wetland ecosystems, from coastal seagrass and mangrove ecosystems to numerous freshwater wetlands and high elevation cloud forests. These wetlands are highly productive and have a variety of rare plant and animal species. For downstream settlements and communities, they play an important role in water supply. Water runoff from the mountains to the coast contributes to the formation of vital ecosystems in rivers, coastal waters and estuaries that serve as breeding and nursery habitats for a variety of fish, crustaceans and other organisms.

In Puerto Rico, and in the Caribbean in general, palustrine and estuarine ecosystems are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to the relationship between hydrology and wetland structure and function. Most wetlands in Puerto Rico are located along the coast, with palustrine wetlands largely adjacent to estuaries or nearshore ecosystems. This leads to interactions between the different systems.

During Puerto Rico's agricultural expansion, wetland ecosystems were severely impacted and destroyed by dredging, filling, draining, eutrophication, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. The size of the original area of freshwater wetlands in Puerto Rico in times of Columbus is unknown.

Shorelines

The two main types of coasts in Puerto Rico are beaches (30%) and vegetated coasts, which are mainly covered by mangroves (28%), although other plants also occur in the dune areas. Rocky coasts are composed of different types of rocks and represent 10% of the island's coasts. The transition from agriculture to industry during the 20th century greatly altered the coastline, including the construction of port facilities and breakwaters. Urbanization also contributes to the hardening of the coastline, affecting sediment transport and erosion. Thus, the spread of paved shorelines poses a significant threat by reducing natural coastal protection and promoting erosion. These effects are likely to be exacerbated by climate change, for example, with the increasing intensity and frequency of storms and sea level rise.

Marine Systems

Puerto Rico's marine ecosystems consist of coral and seagrass habitats, bays, and small islands that support a range of valuable resources including fisheries and marine mammals.

Bioluminescent Systems

Mosquito bay - Bioluminescent bay in Vieques Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, there are bioluminescent bays and lagoon ecosystems. In these rare ecosystems, bioluminescent algae gather and emit light. Because of the small, narrow embayments to the sea, water lingers longer in the bays and large populations of algae develop. Factors such as water circulation patterns and wind can also contribute to maintaining high species diversity in these ecosystems.

Climate change is stressing bioluminescent systems, particularly through heavy precipitation, storms, and hurricanes. These factors can lead to an increase in land runoff, which can then lead to higher levels of sediment and nutrients in the water. This means that water quality can change due to changes in sedimentation, productivity, and the frequency and magnitude of salinity changes. In addition, warmer temperatures due to climate change affect phytoplankton.

Seagrass habitats

Playa Guardia Costanera, Caja de Muertos Island, Puerto Rico

One effect of climate change is on the seagrass cover, which has been researched at the Caja de Muertos Island, which had a dense sea grass cover in the 1950s. More intense and frequent storms due to climate change are predicted to damage this habitat: after Hurricane Maria in 2017 the seagrass cover declined significantly. The seagrass beds have the ability to recover from these storms and some climate change effects such as the increased nutrient supply after rainfall events, and higher CO₂ concentrations actually even benefit the habitat. Nevertheless, the more frequent and intense storms are predicted to outweigh these positive effects and lead to long term damage to the seagrass cover.

Coral habitats

Coral reef in Culebra Puerto Rico

Coral reefs help to establish and protect productive seagrass beds and mangrove forests and provide habitat, refuge, and resources for millions of species, including many that are commercially important. In addition, the reefs serve to protect the coastline and provide space for research, recreation and education.

Climate change causes stress on coral habitats through various factors such as rising sea temperatures, sudden reductions of salinity, increased chemical toxins or solar irradiance. A common phenomenon is coral bleaching, which occurs because a change in the habitat's conditions unbalances the symbiosis between corals and populations of photosynthetic dinoflagellate (zooxanthellae). Through stressors caused by climate change, the zooxanthellae lose their photosynthetic pigments or are expelled from the coral tissues. As a result, the corals are deprived from their energy source, which leads to starvation and death.

The Puerto Rico Coral Reef Monitoring Program (PRCRMP) is monitoring 42 coral reef stations around the country to document the status of the habitats. Mass coral bleaching events were reported after temperature extremes of El Niño events in 1987, 1998 and 2005. These mass bleaching events cause significant declines in coral reef fish abundance and biodiversity.

Impacts on people

Economic impacts

Coffee plantation in Puerto Rico

Agricultural Impacts

Climate change also poses significant threats to agriculture in Puerto Rico. Droughts, floods, and saltwater intrusion affect agricultural lands. Coastal agricultural lands are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, which can exacerbate water access issues and impact prime agricultural lands. New pests and invasive species can also affect livestock, wildlife, and plants. Moreover, many farmers in Puerto Rico lack the necessary capacity, expertise, information, or equipment to adapt to climate change, leaving them vulnerable to its impacts.

Rising temperatures may have a detrimental effect on agricultural productivity in Puerto Rico, particularly livestock farming. This is because hot temperatures can harm cows, causing them to eat less, grow more slowly, and produce less milk. Additionally, reduced water availability during the dry season may stress crops, while warmer temperatures could lead to reduced yields of certain crops, including plantain, banana, and coffee.

Additionally, studies provide further details on specific crops and livestock affected by climate change in Puerto Rico. Farinaceous crops, including cassava and yams, have been impacted by droughts, leading to reduced yields and quality. Fruits, such as mangoes and avocados, have been affected by changes in rainfall patterns, which can impact their flowering and fruiting. Farmers have also had to deal with increased costs associated with importing feed to compensate for the reduced availability of hay due to droughts.

Coffee Production Impacts

A recent study utilized a modeling approach to assess the impact of climate change on coffee production in Puerto Rico. The study found that, under future climate scenarios, the area suitable for coffee production in Puerto Rico is expected to decrease significantly, which could result in less and worse coffee. Specifically, by 2050, the area suitable for coffee production could decline by up to 50%, and by 2100 it could be gone completely.

According to the study, warming and drying trends are projected to accelerate after 2040, which may lead to the loss of up to 84% of highly suitable growing conditions in top producing municipalities by 2070. Under one scenario, Puerto Rico may only retain 24 km² of highly suitable conditions by 2071–2099. Such projected loss of suitable growing conditions could have negative economic impacts on the coffee industry, which has long been culturally and economically significant in Puerto Rico. Although value-added markets present opportunities to revitalize the industry, regional climate change trends may pose a threat to the production of high-quality coffee.

West Coast of Puerto Rico

Tourism Industry Impacts

Climate change presents a multifaceted and complex economic impact on Puerto Rico, as it not only hinders real GNP growth but also threatens the tourism industry, which is a crucial economic driver. The island's natural features, such as coral reefs, beaches, mangroves, and rainforests, are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Visitors who engage with these features spend more than $1.9 billion annually in Puerto Rico. Climate-related risks such as water scarcity, coastal erosion, marine biodiversity loss, warmer summers, extreme weather events, and an increase in disease outbreaks can all have substantial impacts on tourism and the economy as a whole.

Health impacts

Since 1950, the frequency of warm nights (night reaches 28 degrees or above) in Puerto Rico has increased by about 50 percent, and the overnight low in San Juan is above 25 degrees Celsius about 10 percent of the time. Furthermore, Puerto Rico's climate is suitable for mosquito species that carry diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever, which are likely to increase with higher air temperatures that accelerate the mosquito life cycle and virus replication.

Impact on Diseases

Puerto Rico's warm marine environment already supports the occurrence of certain types of water-related illnesses, such as vibriosis and ciguatera poisoning, which can increase with higher ocean temperatures that promote the growth of these bacteria and algae. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can also increase the risk of infectious and vector-borne diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus, which are transmitted by mosquitoes that are sensitive to environmental changes.

Impact on Public Health Infrastructure

Extreme weather events like hurricanes and floods can have direct impacts on human health, causing injuries, displacement, and stress, as well as damaging healthcare infrastructure and disrupting access to healthcare services, which can worsen existing health disparities. It is crucial to improve the resilience of healthcare facilities by installing backup generators, improving building codes, and developing emergency response plans, as well as to reduce carbon footprints by implementing energy-efficient practices and using renewable energy sources.

Impact on Climate Crisis

Climate change can also indirectly affect human health by worsening air and water quality. For example, increases in temperature can worsen air pollution and respiratory illnesses, while changes in rainfall patterns can contaminate water sources. Promoting alternative transportation methods such as biking or walking can help reduce emissions from vehicles and improve air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses.

Housing Impacts

Tropical storms and hurricanes have become more intense in Puerto Rico over the past 20 years. Although scientists are not certain whether this intensification reflects a long-term trend, hurricane wind speeds and rainfall rates are expected to increase as the climate continues to warm. This poses a significant threat to Puerto Rico's housing infrastructure, as cities, roads, and ports are vulnerable to the impacts of wind and water during storms. Higher wind speeds and damages can make insurance for wind damage more expensive or difficult to obtain, and coastal homes and infrastructure are likely to flood more often as sea levels rise. Furthermore, inland flooding is likely to increase as heavy rainstorms become more frequent and intense, resulting in significant property damage and displacement of affected communities.

Migration Impacts

The impacts of climate change on Puerto Rico are also expected to have significant implications for migration. As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, they are likely to displace populations and create new waves of climate refugees. Coastal communities, in particular, are at risk of displacement due to sea level rise and increased storm surges. Moreover, the impact of climate change on agriculture and food security could also lead to displacement as people are forced to migrate in search of better opportunities.

Society and culture

Puerto Rico has a long and culturally rich history, spanning more than 5,000 years. Climate change is considered a major threat that severely affects the physical evidence of this history. This is due to rising air temperatures, which are associated with an increased rate of degradation of artefacts and decay of organic material. Another reason is the change in precipitation trends, which may make some regions drier or wetter and thus change the conditions for the materials by, for example, making them more prone to fire.

In order to preserve Puerto Rico's cultural heritage, its vulnerability must be assessed so that management plans can be created that include strategies to increase resilience and adaptability. Early identification of sites at risk is crucial for the creation of historical records and collections. A useful tool for the protection of cultural heritage sites is community participation, that is the use of citizen science to monitor areas and provide feedback on their significance.

Mitigation and adaptation

As a developing country, Puerto Rico has a relatively small carbon footprint leading to a small global impact of mitigation efforts such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions or increasing carbon sequestration in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico recognizes the shared responsibility to work towards the achievement of emission reduction goals and engages in the development of mitigation plans and regulations on national and multinational levels. The publication of the first Puerto Rico State of the Climate report in 2013 spurred engagement in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies concerning environmental as well as social and economic issues.

Mitigation and adaptation approaches

• The NGO Vida Marina in Puerto Rico found that dune restoration can be supported by making use of the concept of biomimicry. The dune formation is thereby accelerated by putting small pieces of wood into the sand that effectively imitate the sand collecting property of coastal vegetation.

Elkhorn coral

• Different coral population enhancement techniques, as well as restocking measures, are being applied to stabilize populations that have been disturbed by, for example, storms. The plantation of elkhorn corals can, moreover, buffer wave energy and help to build up ramparts that play an important role with respect to the sea level rise threatening Puerto Rico, as they have a stabilizing function for cays.

Guánica State Forest, Puerto Rico

• Sea level changes and coastal erosion, as well as the presence of invasive species especially in the southern karst, might be limited by expanding protected areas such as the Guánica Commonwealth Forest.
• The expansion of existing and creation of new marine protected areas, as well as putting in place education programs improving the management of human activities, are expected to diminish coral diseases and also favour other marine species and habitats. Coral survival could also be supported by fostering species with high genetic variability. These efforts could also be accompanied by restricting land-based sources of pollution.
• Vulnerability assessments that account for climate change induced habitat changes can help to determine areas that would be suitable for the relocation of especially vulnerable species.
• The improvement of water quality by decreasing the content of nutrients through improvement of drain traps for storm water, or the installation of control systems for erosion, can contribute significantly to the protection of coastal and marine habitats.

Policies and legislation

Article VI, § 19 of the constitution of Puerto Rico includes the duty of public policy to use and manage natural resources as effectively as possible and, thus, contribute to the Puerto Rican welfare. The validity of this mandate persists across any law or regulation. It has not been interpreted specifically with respect to climate change yet, but initiatives and policies aimed at sustainable development including the mitigation of climate change and adaptation to its consequences are thriving.

Act No. 82-2010, as amended “Public Policy on Energy Diversification by Means of Sustainable and Alternative Renewable Energy in Puerto Rico Act”

This law demands the Executive Branch set the frame for future generations to benefit from a healthy environment, economic development and stable energy prices considering that the current energy policy is heavily relying on fossil fuels and imports from other countries. In this context, the law also sets up so called Renewable Portfolio Standards and mandatory goals for the generation of renewable energy with time horizons from short to rather long-term targets.

Act No. 17-2019, “Puerto Rico Energy Public Policy Act”

This act is an amendment to the above Act No. 82-2010 that extends the Renewable Portfolio Standards by, among other aspects, setting the goal of generating energy from 100% renewable sources by 2050 (Objective No. 7) and phasing out coal by 2028 (Objective No. 3).

Act No. 33-2019, “Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change of Puerto Rico Act”

This act puts in place the first public policy of Puerto Rico for climate change. This includes starting greenhouse gas accounting and it requests the acceptance of a Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience Plan organized by sectors, and defines reduction targets. Moreover, a Committee of Experts and Advisers on Climate Change and a Joint Commission on Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change of the Legislative Assembly were set up and the presentation of first results of the above mandates was scheduled for April 2021.

Local initiatives

• Casa Pueblo