He was the Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and General Manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

Acosta earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1986, and attended the UP College of Law but did not graduate.

Acosta obtained a Master of Arts in public affairs with distinction (international relations and political studies concentration) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1987.

He is also an active member of the Partnership for clean Air, Philippines, and the Founding Director of E-LEAD (Center for Ecological Governance, Leadership and Development).

In 2011, he was part of the Philippine delegation to the 2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, which aimed to establish a new global treaty to limit carbon emissions.

Acosta has authored various articles on politics, leadership and governance, development, education, and the environment, and has published widely in various magazines and national dailies.

Meanwhile, his essay on "Internationalization and the Search for Global Identities" won the plum prize during a competition for the magazine Intersect-Japan and the PHP Institute of America in Japan in 1995.

In recognition of his contributions to policy-making, education, and advocacy work, Acosta was included in NewsBizAsia's 100 Most Influential Filipinos (2002), and was cited by Asiaweek as representing the "youthful, hopeful change for the country."

Adding to his numerous accomplishments, he was also selected as one of The Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) - Asia Pacific by the Osaka, Japan Junior Chamber (1995).