Cuba’s “Project Life” action plan outlines eleven projects to help the island nation adapt to climate change:
Project 1: Identify and implement actions and projects, of a comprehensive, ongoing nature, to adapt to climate change that are needed to reduce existing vulnerability in 15 identified priority zones. The threatened population, their physical safety and food security, and the development of tourism must be considered when determining the order of these actions.
Project 2: Implement legal norms needed to execute the state plan, as well as assure their strict enforcement, with particular attention to measures directed toward vulnerability of constructed properties, prioritising threatened coastal communities.
Project 3: Conserve, maintain and recover the Cuban archipelago’s sandy beaches, prioritising those urbanised for tourist use and reducing the structural vulnerability of constructed properties.
Project 4: Ensure the availability and efficient use of water as part of confronting drought, on the basis of technology for conservation and satisfying the demands of locations. Improve water infrastructure and its maintenance, while taking action to measure the efficient and productive use of water.
Project 5: Direct reforestation towards providing maximum protection of soils and water, in terms of quantity and quality, as well as the recovery of the most affected mangroves. Prioritise reservoirs, canals and the regulatory banks of tributaries leading to the island’s principal bays and coasts.
Project 6: Stop deterioration, and renovate and protect coral reefs throughout the archipelago, with priority for those bordering the insular platform, and protect urbanised beaches used for tourism purposes. Avoid overfishing of species that benefit corals.
Project 7: Maintain and add territorial and urban land use stipulations to plans in the Macro-project on Dangers and Vulnerability of Coastal Zones 2050-2100, as well as in the Studies of Dangers, Vulnerability and Risks in the disaster preparedness effort. Employ this information as an early warning to make decisions.
Project 8: Implement and supervise climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in sector policies for programs, plans and projects linked to food security, renewable energy, energy efficiency, land use, fishing, agriculture, health, tourism, construction, transport, industry and the comprehensive management of forests.
Project 9: Strengthen monitoring systems, vigilance and early warning plans to systematically evaluate the condition and quality of coastal zones, water, drought and forests, as well as human and plant health.
Project 10: Prioritise measures and actions to increase risk perception, understanding of, and participation by the entire population in confronting climate change and a culture that promotes water conservation.
Project 11: Manage and use available international financial resources, both those from global and regional climate funds and those from bilateral sources, to make investments, carry out actions and implement projects related to the tasks outlined in the state plan.
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