Pursuing Simultaneous LEED & RESET Certifications

We are proud to announce that our new campus, located in San Isidro de Heredia, will achieve both LEED® Platinum and RESET certifications.

At UWC Costa Rica, sustainability is not just a goal—it’s an integral part of who we are. In alignment with our mission “to cultivate in young people the passion and ability to serve humanity and our planet–learning from nature and from each other for a lifetime,” we are proud to announce that our new campus, located in San Isidro de Heredia, will achieve both LEED® Platinum and RESET certifications. This milestone underscores our commitment to creating a responsible and innovative space that promotes sustainability, community, and environmental stewardship.

What Are LEED® and RESET Certifications?

LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world’s most recognized framework for sustainable building design, construction, and operation. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, it evaluates performance across multiple criteria, including energy efficiency, water usage, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

Achieving LEED® Platinum, the highest certification level, demonstrates our commitment to minimizing our environmental footprint and fostering a healthier environment for our students, staff, and the wider community.

RESET (Requirements for Sustainable Buildings in the Tropics) is a Costa Rican standard for tropical climates. Developed by the Tropical Architecture Institute and certified by Inteco, RESET focuses on sustainability within a local context, addressing unique challenges such as biodiversity, native landscaping, and resource use.
The seven key areas evaluated by RESET include:

Spatial quality and well-being: Ensuring optimal conditions for learning and living.
Socioeconomic impact: Supporting the local economy through hiring and training.
Landscaping: Using native plants and promoting biodiversity.
Materials: Prioritizing recycled and recyclable materials.
Water efficiency: Reducing reliance on public water systems.
Energy efficiency: Leveraging renewable energy sources while minimizing environmental disruption.

Why This Matters?

Our campus will be the first in Costa Rica to achieve both certifications, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the country’s construction sector. By adopting certified wood—a material that stores carbon and has a lower ecological footprint than traditional construction materials like concrete and steel—we’re contributing to Costa Rica’s Decarbonization Plan 2050 while actively addressing the global climate crisis.

Certified wood reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fosters a local circular economy by creating jobs and supporting local industries. This aligns with our goal to serve humanity by empowering communities and embracing innovative solutions to global challenges.

Protecting Biodiversity and Enhancing Sustainability

Located adjacent to the Braulio Carrillo National Park, our new campus harmoniously integrates education and environmental stewardship. RESET standards will guide us in minimizing the impact on this sensitive ecosystem, ensuring that the campus supports wildlife transit and respects the region’s rich biodiversity.

Leading by Example

The new campus is more than a learning environment—it’s a living example of building responsibly in harmony with nature. This effort resonates deeply with our students, who come from over 70 countries to engage in a transformative educational experience. By incorporating sustainability into our infrastructure, we empower them to become advocates for environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Join Us in Shaping a Sustainable Future

At UWC Costa Rica, we believe in learning from nature and from one another to create meaningful, lasting change. Our new campus and its groundbreaking certifications exemplify this commitment, providing a space where education and sustainability go hand in hand.

Explore our website to learn more about our sustainability initiatives and mission. Together, we can inspire a generation of changemakers to serve humanity and our planet for a lifetime.