__ SUSTAINABILITY
Commitment to Sustainability
At AFZ, we operate under a comprehensive strategy known as 3P+i, which prioritizes the well-being of people, society, and the environment, hand-in-hand with innovation, to foster a collaborative and forward-thinking environment with all our stakeholders.
This strategy is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), allowing us to focus our actions and programs in line with the 2030 Agenda, with a strong emphasis on the following areas:
__ AFZ’s ESG Framework
Our working model is grounded in a sustainability strategy that drives initiatives across all three pillars of ESG: social, environmental, and governance.
Its purpose is to ensure the well-being of our stakeholders, the profitable growth of the organization and its value chain, and the socioeconomic development of our communities and the environment.
__ Sustainability Pillars
Through our ESG strategy, we develop programs and initiatives with social and environmental impact to create value for the environment, the communities where we operate, and the well-being of people.
We also actively promote transparency in our operations and a firm stance against corruption.
Social
We promote a positive social impact through programs and actions focused on the well-being of individuals and our surrounding communities.
Environmental
We protect and preserve the environment through a strategy that minimizes the impact of our operations, supports the sustainable use of natural resources, and contributes to the fight against climate change
Governance
We transform economic well-being into social and environmental value, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our operations.
__ Expanded Sustainability Committee
Guided by the pillars of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Environment, Employment, and Education, we are committed to working with integrity, collaboration, and creativity to generate a positive impact on society, the environment, and the economy.
AFZ’s Expanded Sustainability Committee is made up of companies within our business community who share a common purpose: to create collective value both inside and beyond AFZ.
The committee also includes task-specific commissions responsible for turning its objectives into action.
__ Sustainability Report
As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability, we share our Sustainability Report, aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework, and made available to all our stakeholders.
2023
Certifications and commitments acquired
BLUE FLAG ECOLOGICAL AWARD
AFZ drives technological innovation through high-speed internet, custom-designed office spaces, robots, and drones—ensuring continuous operations and attracting investment from leading global companies.
ISO14001:2015
AFZ drives technological innovation through high-speed internet, custom-designed office spaces, robots, and drones—ensuring continuous operations and attracting investment from leading global companies
Carbon Neutrality PLUS
AFZ drives technological innovation through high-speed internet, custom-designed office spaces, robots, and drones—ensuring continuous operations and attracting investment from leading global companies.
ESSENTIAL COSTA RICA
Essential COSTA RICA is the Country Brand of the Republic of Costa Rica, implemented with the goal of projecting the country's image in international markets.
Impact Data
Trees planted in 2024
Recovered recyclable materials
Carbon footprint reduction
PROGRAMS
SOCIAL DIMENSION
HuMANOS en Acción
This is AFZ’s social volunteer program, aimed at identifying, analyzing, and addressing community needs that align with the organization’s sustainability strategy.
Technology Heroes – “InterTOK”
A program designed for students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) from public and private high schools across the country. It aims to foster critical thinking and the development of soft skills, helping students prepare holistically for their professional futures.
Multidimensional Business Poverty Index (IPMe)
A tool used to assess the socioeconomic vulnerability of employees and their households, in order to design tailored strategies that improve their quality of life.
Born from the application of IPMe, this initiative supports employees in completing their primary and secondary education, and strengthens their financial literacy through personalized guidance and coaching.
AFZ’s health and wellness program, focused on improving the physical and mental well-being of employees by promoting a healthier lifestyle that enhances quality of life.
Ya es Hora (Time’s Up)
A public–private alliance that focuses on the prevention and early detection of breast cancer. It promotes access to mammograms and medical care for women within the business park and across the country, with a special focus on vulnerable communities.
We work hand-in-hand with our clients to create greater impact and holistic well-being for the environment, people, and communities. This is achieved through commissions focused on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Environment & Sustainable Mobility, and Employment & Education..
ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION
HuMANOS en Acción
AFZ’s environmental volunteer program aims to identify, analyze, and address community needs aligned with our sustainability strategy. Activities include tree planting, river clean-ups, and waste collection.
- Transitioning the vehicle fleet from combustion to electric vehicles.
- Promoting the use of electric bicycles by employees through the UrBike app.
- Installation of 16 free EV charging stations for employees within the business community.
This program involves the collection of traditional, non-traditional, and hazardous waste, both inside and outside the business community, with a focus on the neighborhoods where AFZ operates.
We have more than 2,000 solar panels installed throughout the business community. AFZ is proud to be Costa Rica’s first Carbon Neutral PLUS Free Trade Zone.
We are building a strong internal culture around environmental topics such as ordinary and recyclable waste management, energy efficiency, and responsible water consumption.
GOVERNANCE DIMENSION
We operate under a strategy focused on accountability and transparency toward our various stakeholders. Our reporting follows the principle of double materiality, using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) as frameworks for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure.
We believe in the power of strategic alliances to generate collective prosperity and positive impact. We collaborate with local government, as well as public and private companies, to create value for people, communities, and the environment.
We adopt responsible and sustainable practices to ensure ethics and due diligence across our value chain and prioritized stakeholders.
As part of our continuous improvement efforts, we operate under an Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System, certified under ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 standards.
We implement ethical, transparent, and sustainable practices, aligning our materiality with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and focusing on integrity, fairness, and respect for human rights.