The state of the sustainable development debate

With the revolutionary Government coming to power in 1959, Cuba embarked on a new course with important social and economic goals. The

1970s and 1980s were characterized by strong economic and social devel-opment, although based on inefficient technologies (far from state of the art) that implied high energy use.

Cuba experienced a major economic crisis during the 1990s as a result of the termination of its favourable trade relationships with the countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). As a result of this crisis, Cuba was forced to slash its energy imports, which affected the country’s capability to satisfy its energy requirements. The search for energy solutions became the primary activity of national and territorial (State) institutions, and of many specialists, technicians and workers. The Government responded to the situation by elaborating and implementing the Development Programme of National Energy Sources (DPNES) in 1993 [1.13], which has been an important driving force for energy development and has led to improvements in development patterns and in the behaviour of society with respect to energy use.

The important reforms implemented in the wake of this crisis have resulted in a more sustainable path of economic development and a more reliable and self-sufficient energy system. The economic recovery that started in 1994 has been maintained, in large part owing to energy policies that have proved very successful. These policies have resulted in a major increase in the production of domestic crude oil and associated gas, considerable reduction in energy demand, reductions in electricity losses and improvements in some energy infrastructure. More rational energy use, more accurate estimates of the country’s real expenditures on energy supply, more independent regulation of the energy sector and an increased emphasis on planning activities are ongoing tasks that Cuba is implementing to continue moving towards a more sustainable energy future.

In addition, Cuba has developed an important plan for sustainable devel-opment. In 1997, the National Environmental Strategy was approved and its implementation started in the main areas of the economy and services and in all the States and territories. The strategy establishes the principles that sustained the national environmental politics, characterizes the main environ-mental problems of the country and proposes the roads and instruments for its prevention, solution or mitigation to improving the protection of the environment and the rational use of the natural resources in linking with the economic and social development of the country.

In the same year, the National Assembly approved Law 81 on

‘Environment’ that reaffirmed national ownership of the natural resources and the environment [1.14]. In this law, the principles on which to base the management of the environment were formulated, and the institutional framework was defined, specifying the obligations, powers and functions of

people and organizations in the conservation and rational use of the environment. In addition, the environmental policy and management instruments were regulated, the specific spheres of environmental conservation were established, and the actions pertinent to each case were identified.

Law 81 defines sustainable development as a “process of equitable and sustained raising of the quality of people’s life, by means of which is offered economic growth and social improvement, in harmony with the protection of the environment, so that the necessities of the current generations are satisfied, without putting at risk the satisfaction of the necessities of the future generations” [1.14].

In fulfilment of this law, legal bodies have been created and approved regarding biological security, a national system of protected areas, contraven-tions in matters concerning the environment, and management of the coastal zone and territorial waters. Also, the process of granting environmental licences was established for new projects or works or activities, the State Environmental Inspection organization was created and other legislation was issued that contributes to sustainable development, such as the laws governing mining, forestry and foreign investment.

Investments committed for environmental conservation constitute an essential element in the management of the environment in the country, oriented towards the mitigation and solution of the main environmental problems, related as much to the soils and forests as to the reduction of the pollution load and the construction of wastewater treatment systems and plants and water pipelines. These investments rose to 220 million pesos in 2004, equal to 7% of total investments in the country [1.15].

With the creation of the National Environmental Fund, which has as its purpose the total or partial financing of projects or activities aimed at environ-mental conservation and the rational use of the environment, a significant number of projects have been carried out since 2000. The Fund constitutes a new mechanism for the mobilization of resources destined for the environment, complementing but not substituting for the responsibilities of the Ministries that direct productive activities or services, with the environmental problems that they generate.

Other important aspects that are related to sustainable development are poverty eradication, health, culture, education, sports, equal rights for women, etc. Notable progress has been made in these areas in Cuba in the last decade.

Also, programmes and projects integral to development and urbanization have been carried out in mountainous, rural, local and territorial areas, contributing to sustainable development.

In different international forums, Cuba has contributed with initiatives and proposals for actions that contribute to sustainable development. The

country’s collaboration in the training of skilled personnel in different areas stands out, as well as assistance in the areas of health, education and sports to other countries.

1.3. RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY