CUBA national experience Synergies and cooperation with other conventions 2003

Cuba and Environmental Conventions Signed Ratified Climate change Biological diversity Desertification

Cuban National Reports Climate Change: –Gas emissions –Study on vulnerability and adaptation Biological Diversity: –National Communication –National Strategy Desertification: –Action Plan –Reports I and II on implementation

Cuban focal points Political and technical focal points at: Ministry for Science, Technology and Environment. National Working Groups Various stakeholders: Ministries, industrial sector, R&D centers, Universities, local representatives, others. Committee on Environment: Overviews actions on international environmental agreements.

Population (millions)11.18 inhabitants Surface in km Island of Cuba Island of Youth keys Length of the coasts km: South North Island of Cuba: Island of Youth: Population (millions)11.18 inhabitants Surface in km Island of Cuba Island of Youth keys Length of the coasts km: South North Island of Cuba: Island of Youth: Highest elevation (m) 1974 Longest river (km) Cauto 370 Relative Humidity (%) 81 Mean temperature (ºC) 25 Highest elevation (m) 1974 Longest river (km) Cauto 370 Relative Humidity (%) 81 Mean temperature (ºC) 25 CUBAN ARCHIPELAGO

Principal Environmental Problems (National Environmental Strategy 1997) Soils Degradation (erosion, bad drainage, salinity, among others) Deterioration of sanitation and environmental condition in human settlements Pollution of terrestrial and coastal waters Deforestation Loss of biodiversity

Forest Patrimony: Among the 652 hydrographic basins Potential forest area: 28% approximately 21,9 % NATIONAL TERRITORY FOREST RESOURCES Present area: 22%

Vascular plants species endemic plants (52,4%) 2% extinct Fauna species BIODIVERSITY endemic: 93,4 % amphibians 75,2% reptiles 39,5% mammalians 6,28% birds endemic: 93,4 % amphibians 75,2% reptiles 39,5% mammalians 6,28% birds

COASTAL AREA: km 2 MANGROVE: 5325 km 2 (4,8% national territory) CORAL REEF: 3 400km BEACH: 600 km (10% of the coast length) MARINE AND COASTAL RESOURCES Affected 3% reefs 30% mangrove 90% with some degree of erosion

76,8 % Pinar del Río Holguín Granma Santiago de Cuba Guantánamo 1959 Affected by conditions limiting productivity Affected by one or various factors: 5 millions ha Provinces with less productive soils: SOILS 80% of productive soils presented different grade of affectations as: erosion, salinity, drainage, among others

CUBA Drinking water and sanitation coverage (1959) The total volume of surface water storage in reservoirs was 48 millions of cubic meters.

CUBA Drinking water and sanitation coverage (2000) Surface water in Cuban reservoirs: millions of cubic meters. Drinking water

AGUA POTABLE Sanitation

National Environmental Strategy, 1997 National Environmental Strategy, 1997 Law 81 of Environment, 1997 Law 81 of Environment, 1997 Cross Sectors Strategies (OACE), Cross Sectors Strategies (OACE), Territorial Strategies, Territorial Strategies, POLICY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Principal Goals to Achieve Integral environmental management (hydrographical basins, mountains and coastal areas) Integral environmental management (hydrographical basins, mountains and coastal areas) Cleaner production, recycling and reuse Cleaner production, recycling and reuse Reduction of pollution (aquatic ecosystems) Reduction of pollution (aquatic ecosystems) Enterprise management (environmental acknowledgement and economic regulations) Enterprise management (environmental acknowledgement and economic regulations) Natural resources protection and biodiversity access and management Natural resources protection and biodiversity access and management Introduction of environmental education at all levels Introduction of environmental education at all levels

Selected hydrographical basins contain an area of km 2 40% of the Cuban population 60% Social and economic activities of the country

A sample of synergy: hydrographical basins program This program integrates efforts on: soil degradation, deforestation, wastes and pollution, water management, biodiversity and protective areas, natural events and natural disasters, climate studies, health and education, employment and other social factors at community level.