Cuban president confirms his country’s commitment to fight climate change

When speaking at the Climate Ambition Summit, during the third day of the high-level week of the UN General Assembly, the dignitary pointed out that the nation is committed to increasing energy efficiency, developing renewable sources and promoting less intense development in carbon, as foreseen in the economic and social plan drawn up until 2030.

He added that the initiative aims at increasing electricity generation based on renewable sources by up to 24 percent, and increasing forest cover by up to 33 percent, which would avoid the emission of 169.9 million tons of carbon dioxide.

The Cuban head of state pointed out that other estimates rely on increasing efficiency and energy savings to avoid the emission of 700 thousand tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in the period 2014-2030, to which less carbon-intensive land transportation would be added.

He rejected the great obstacles imposed on the country by the blockade of the United States Government and its extreme intensification in recent years. Despite this, Cuba’s progress and objectives confirm the will to contribute to global efforts.

Díaz-Canel also recalled Cuba’s drive to promote cooperation, particularly during this year at the head of the G77.

He highlighted that under the current presidency, the country shared projects to confront climate change in other vulnerable nations of the South, aimed at evaluation, mitigation of impacts, strengthening capacities for disaster risk reduction and adaptation; as well as technical assistance.