Resilient shores: How Cuba’s coastal communities are adapting to climate change

For communities living along Cuba's coastline, the impacts of climate change are no longer a distant concern - they are an immediate reality, sometimes forcing people from their homes.

"If strong winds come from the south, we have to evacuate," says Jesús Borrego. He points to the island of mangroves where his grandfather used to take him during storms. In the old days, he says, they didn't rely on weather forecasts. Instead, if the birds became agitated, they knew it was time to pack up and leave.

Like much of Cuba, the community of Cajío where Jesús lives is in the path of frequent tropical storms.

They are an annual occurrence. From 2001 to 2017, the country was struck by no fewer than 12 hurricanes, ten of which were classified as intense (Category 4 or 5). The powerful winds and storm surges generated by these events devastated coastal communities, eroded shorelines and damaged critical infrastructure. Beyond the immediate destruction, the long-term impacts were equally devastating: saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources, the displacement of families and major disruptions to agriculture and livelihoods.

Warmer air and ocean temperatures driven by climate change are intensifying the problem, with rising sea levels set to worsen coastal flooding, especially in low-lying areas. For an island nation heavily dependent on its natural resources and coastal zones, these hazards not only threaten homes and economies but erode the foundation of community resilience.

Taking climate action

The Government of Cuba recognizes the severe risks that climate change poses to its people, economy and environment and has prioritized nature-based solutions as a cost-effective way to build resilience.

This commitment is reflected in Cuba's Constitution (2019) and its National Plan for Economic and Social Development (PNDES 2030), both of which emphasize environmental conservation and climate action. Central to the country's State Plan to Confront Climate Change, known as "Tarea Vida" ("Task: Life"), is the vital role of healthy marine and coastal ecosystems, not only in shielding communities and infrastructure from extreme weather, but also in maintaining the health of soils and freshwater resources.

Building resilience by restoring nature's balance: "My coast"

With support from UNDP and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Cuban authorities are implementing multiple interconnected adaptation initiatives to realize the vision of Tarea Vida. Key among them are the "Mi Costa" ("My Coast") and 'AdaptHavana' projects.

Launched in 2022, the 30-year "Mi Costa" project is an ambitious initiative to safeguard 1,300 kilometres of Cuba's southern coast and strengthen the resilience of 1.3 million people.

Grounded in an ecosystem-based and community-driven approach, and implemented in an alliance between multiple institutions and government ministries, "Mi Costa" seeks to harness the protective services of healthy ecosystems to shield communities from climate impacts and promote a biodiverse, sustainable future.

A central focus is on restoring natural freshwater flows by restoring degraded wetlands. Restoring water flows brings numerous benefits: nutrient mobility spurs the growth of mangroves and seagrass, reduces flooding, and limits soil and water salinization. This restoration revives local fauna and supports economic activities like fishing and beekeeping while creating jobs in forest restoration. It also improves access to clean drinking water and agricultural water supplies.

By 2029, the project aims to restore more than 11,000 hectares of mangroves and 3,000 hectares of swamp forest along the southern coast.

"If water flows naturally throughout the basin, it allows the wetland to flourish. Restoring these flows is critical, as human activities and climate phenomena have disrupted them", says José Miguel Guzmán, project specialist.

These efforts will be complemented by environmental and hydrological monitoring systems which will support early warning systems for flooding and sea level rise and guide local governments in implementing sustainable measures.

Meanwhile, the government is formulating a comprehensive plan to address the growing risks of climate change in Havana's coastal zone. This area in the country's capital also faces the challenges of deteriorating infrastructure. A key goal of this effort, being advanced under the "AdaptHavana" project, is ensuring adaptation measures and investment decisions are factored into medium- and long-term development planning.

Another primary focus is raising awareness of the country's plans for adaptation. The project team is currently developing more than 36 specialized courses targeting government and sectoral leaders, communities and university students.

"It is Cuba's laboratory for climate policy," says Orlando Rey, advisor to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, referring to the project. By testing new strategies and approaches, the lessons learned can be scaled and applied to other vulnerable areas across the country.

Engaging local communities

Consultations with local communities and their active participation are central to both the "Mi Costa" and "AdaptHavana" projects, ensuring that local voices are not only heard but drive the solutions being implemented. By working closely with communities to highlight the vital role of ecosystems in supporting livelihoods and long-term resilience, the projects are building local ownership, fostering sustainable practices and laying the foundation for lasting success.

In Cajío, project coordinator Mireya Acosta has spent time going door to door, consulting with residents about the implementation of the "Mi Costa" project. "My goal is to continue involving people," she says. "This project gives the community an opportunity not only to deal with the effects of climate change but also to come together and take collective action." As part of these efforts, communities have been actively involved in mangrove replanting, strengthening natural defenses against coastal hazards.

In Havana's neighborhoods, "AdaptHavana" has similarly begun by listening to local concerns and incorporating community proposals.

"What will make these initiatives sustainable is the ability of communities to continue them. It's essential that people take ownership and learn to live with wetlands as facilitators of life," emphasizes José Miguel Guzmán.

Project coordinators like Mireya, in collaboration with local authorities, are playing a critical role in translating national sustainable development policies into meaningful, community-led action. But the government is also empowering communities to be leaders in climate solutions. To this end, it is setting up seven classrooms and 30 training centres across eight provinces to serve as hubs for community learning and coordination of local adaptation activities.

In parallel, a capacity-building programme across 24 municipalities, designed to enhance local knowledge on climate adaptation, is using a "trainer of trainers" model. Under this model, national and international experts train community leaders, who then pass on their knowledge to their local communities, aiming to reach 60 percent of the population in the targeted areas.

In just two years, more than 6,000 community members-over half of them women-have already been equipped with specialized training in ecosystem-based adaptation, hydrological monitoring, and forest restoration, empowering them to lead climate solutions in their own communities.

A blueprint for the future

By combining cost-effective nature-based solutions with community leadership, Cuba is creating a blueprint for climate adaptation that supports both the environment and local livelihoods. This integrated approach to coastal zone management shows great promise as a scalable model not just for Cuba but for other Caribbean nations and Small Island Developing States worldwide.

Ultimately, however, it begins and ends with people-those living on the frontlines of climate change and taking action to protect their homes, families and future generations.

Beyond its 8-year implementation period (2021-2029), the "Mi Costa" project will be sustained for another 22 years with funding from the Cuban government, reflecting the country's long-term commitment to protecting coastal communities and ecosystems. To learn more about the "Mi Costa" and "AdaptHavana" projects, visit https://www.undp.org/es/cuba/proyectos