UNEP Delegation Concludes Assessment of Cuba's Blue Carbon Baseline
Experts from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concluded a visit to the Environmental Studies Center of Cienfuegos (CEAC) to jointly review the first phase of the National Blue Carbon Baseline Assessment in Cuba.

The group was accompanied by Master of Science Alejandro García Moya, Director of the Technical Unit for the Carbon Market in Cuba (Umecc), as reported by the Nuclear Communicators Network (Rednuc).

Focus on Mangrove and Seagrass Ecosystems
It added that the specialists held a technical exchange with researchers from the institution, focusing on the assessment of the country's mangrove and seagrass ecosystems—considered among the most extensive and best conserved in the Caribbean. They validated the available scientific information and identified data gaps and potential pilot areas for future projects.

The delegation comprised Steven Lutz, Senior Expert and Lead for Blue Carbon at GRID-Arendal (Norway), with over 25 years of experience in marine conservation and environmental policy; and Dr. Miguel Cifuentes Jara, the mission's lead scientist and consultant, recognized for his work in assessing carbon in marine-coastal ecosystems, as well as his contributions to international processes.

Strengthening National Capacities for Carbon Markets
According to Rednuc, their program includes seminars, interviews, and visits until Friday to protected areas in Matanzas and Ciego de Ávila, aiming to strengthen national capacities and establish the institutional and technical foundations for Cuba's integration into international carbon markets.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment inaugurated the Umecc last December to facilitate the national submission, evaluation, and approval processes of its activities.

Its objective is to support and promote mitigation projects that utilize clean technologies, thereby incentivizing the development of low-carbon activities.

Such markets are a financial mechanism based on the purchase and sale of emission reduction units or credits, each representing one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2) that is either prevented from being emitted or removed through natural or technological components.