Overall NDC Equity Score
Insufficient
Emissions Reductions
Aspiring
The NDC’s potential emissions reduction shows promise.
Gender Justice
Critically Deficient
The NDC does not refer to or define Gender Justice in any significant ways, with little to no specific application.
Youth Inclusion
Insufficient
The NDC has significant gaps in addressing Youth Inclusion, though it does mention youth as the beneficiaries of a just transition.
Summary
Cuba is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). The country is responsible for less than 0.1% of global GHG emissions, however, it disproportionately faces the effects of climate change. Since 1970, Cuba has recorded a sustained increase in sea level, beach erosion and ocean surface temperature. At the same time, water resources have been reduced by 16% in the last 30 years, with respect to the levels of 1931-1972; added to that are forest fires, periods of moderate to extreme drought, extreme temperatures, and more frequent hydrometeorological events. These obstacles did not hinder Cuba from making a clear commitment to improving its climate reality and to commit to the global emission targets agreed within the international community. The latest NDC holds a great potential in making a roadmap for the country’s climate commitment, determining the actions to be implemented depending on the priority, the unconditionality of the contribution and access to external financing. Cuba has taken several measures, even though ahead of its time, to address the climate crisis. Some policies to be highlighted are the State Plan to Confront Climate Change, also known as Tasa Vida, the Law on the System of Natural Resources and the Environment (Law 150) and Decree 86 on Confronting Climate Change.
For gender mainstreaming the NDC only mentions gender as a topic to define the beneficiaries of the proposals, incorporating this category as part of the country’s vision, but it does not mention any specific applications, nor in which way these benefits will affect women and other groups. There is no clarification of the participation of women in the development process of the NDC, nor indicators that show how gender is affected in each sector that is proposed to mitigate, and how it is mainstreamed in the Adaptation Plan. On a positive note, in Cuba there is the Women’s Advancement Program (PAM, by its acronym in Spanish), which could be a good ally to promote the inclusion of the gender perspective in the NDC.
For youth inclusion young people are mentioned in the country’s vision towards a just transition, as beneficiaries of the proposed contributions, but there is no mention of their level of vulnerability, inclusion in the development process of the NDC, and their potential to take the lead in climate action as ambassadors and stakeholders. However, it should be mentioned that in Cuba, there are some outstanding programs in place, such as the comprehensive Policy of Attention to Children, Adolescents and Youth and the Cuban Environmental Youth Network (REJAC, by its acronym in Spanish), among other youth organizations, with which it would be appropriate to establish alliances to promote the inclusion of an intergenerational perspective, and youth participation and involvement.
Highlights
- Mentions the context where the country is developing to understand the magnitude and limitations of its proposals.
- Supports the documentation with the reference of other climate polices that are key to carry out these commitments.
- It constitutes an update of the NDC-2020 referring to a vision of the country towards a just transition and the design of an adaptation plan.
- It takes on an ambitious challenge in the face of the economic and geopolitical reality that slows down climate action.
- It mentions vulnerable groups as beneficiaries of the materialization of the contributions.
Lowlights
- It does not mention how the process of creating the NDC was developed or if there was a participation process.
- It does not detail the percentages of reduction, conditionality and unconditionality, nor with which scenario the proposal is compared.
- Only gender and young people are mentioned as beneficiaries, there is no reference to the particular vulnerabilities of each group, how and to what extent they benefit and their potential as stakeholders.
- It exposes a conditionality percentage of approximately 63%.
Key Recommendations
The proposal centers around creating a national strategy that integrates Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Ecosystem Adaptation (EbA) into urban planning. It emphasizes expanding forested areas and increasing urban tree coverage as part of public policy to enhance environmental resilience. Additionally, it encourages low-carbon transportation by investing in bicycle infrastructure and improving public transit systems to reduce emissions and promote sustainable mobility.
The analysis recommends the plan advocates for a comprehensive renovation program of the building sector, focusing on energy efficiency, architectural modernization, and the incorporation of renewable energy technologies. To accelerate adoption, it recommends introducing green incentives such as bonuses and fiscal benefits aimed at individuals, organizations, and companies that implement climate-friendly practices—driving investment into clean technologies and furthering efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
For Gender Mainstreaming
- Include women in decision-making spaces related to the formulation and monitoring of the NDC.
- Study and analyze in a differentiated way the impacts of climate change on women, girls and adolescents considering these elements as significant when designing mitigation and adaptation strategies and actions.
- Involve institutions and programs specialized in gender justice, in training processes, consultation and design of climate policies.
- Incorporate clear and measurable gender indicators into the NDC's sectoral targets.
- Integrate the gender approach in a transversal and explicit way in all climate policies, programs and projects.
- Promote specific financing and support mechanisms for projects led by women or that meet their needs.
For Youth Inclusion
- Propose a space for articulation between youth organizations (institutionalized and non-institutionalized), academia, civil society and the government.
- Ensure the effective and representative participation of young people in climate decision-making spaces.
- Create incentives and programs that promote youth entrepreneurship in green sectors and the ideation of green pushes in educational and labor centers.
- Promote specific training and training mechanisms for young people, such as internships in decision-making projects and climate action.
- Strengthen climate education and awareness at all educational levels, including formal and informal programs that develop skills for climate innovation and green jobs.
- Integrate the intergenerational perspective in the design of climate policies, recognizing the particularities, vulnerabilities and potentialities of youth.
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