Expert foresees good years for environmental and climate policy in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, Apr 21 (ACN) Orlando Rey Santos, a specialist in Environmental Policy and Climate Change advisor for the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (CITMA), assured that Cuba will have good years in its environmental and climate policy.

“COVID-19 has limited investments to solve pollution and environmental difficulties, but it has also taught us valuable lessons and given us an opportunity for better plans in the future,” he said.

Rey Santos mentioned the evidence of the fragility of the human system and society in situations likely to tamper with their stability in a matter of days, which calls for more dedication to tackle climate problems and their consequences. He also said that COVID-19 proves that it pays to invest in nature, since this and other diseases stem from poor ecological and biodiversity management.

“Cuba will continue to promote both the growth of its forest cover—currently around 30% of the country—up to 33% by the end of the decade and the number of protected areas and measures in favor of biodiversity,” he added. “Our project Coastal resilience to climate change in Cuba through ecosystem-based adaptation (Mi Costa) is focused on the use of natural solutions with a view to environmental improvement and more resilience to climate change in seven communities of the southern coast.”

Implemented by the Environment Agency, Mi Costa was financed by the Green Climate Fund. It will allow the recovery of the coastline and its vegetation as well as to protect coral reefs.

Rey Santos also referred to actions in the transport sector to replace old vehicles still in operation to the detriment of the environment, including the gradual introduction of electrically powered ones using renewable energy sources, as befits Cuba's intention to design a forward-looking environmental.

“A major obstacle to these goals is the U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade. We need credits to reach these goals, and the blockade limits our access to certain fundamental financial mechanisms. However, we will find a way, as we always do.”

Starting today under the theme Innovation for Sustainable Development: Goals 2030. Ibero-America facing the challenge of the Coronavirus, the XXVII Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government will discuss the multiple challenges imposed by COVID-19 and the role of innovation in the face of the pandemic.