Cuba

Cuba Environment Overview

Cuba, an island nation known for its vibrant culture and history, also boasts a diverse and complex environment. The country's tropical climate is shaped by trade winds, creating distinct dry and wet seasons. With 34.9% of its land covered in forests as of 2023, Cuba's biodiversity is significant, though it faces challenges like deforestation and loss of biodiversity. Urbanization is on a slow rise, with 77.5% of the population residing in urban areas as of 2023. Despite these challenges, Cuba is actively engaged in various international environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement on climate change, showcasing its commitment to environmental sustainability. The country's total carbon dioxide emissions are estimated at 19.716 million metric tonnes in 2023, primarily from petroleum and other liquids, highlighting the ongoing need for sustainable energy solutions. Dive deeper into Cuba's environmental landscape and discover the efforts being made to preserve its natural resources.

Climate

tropical climate; influenced by trade winds; dry period (November through April); wet period (May through October)

Land use

other

3.5% (2023 est.)

forest

34.9% (2023 est.)

agricultural land

61.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 28% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 6.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 27.4% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

77.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

0.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Methane emissions

other

2.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)

waste

146.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)

energy

23 kt (2022-2024 est.)

agriculture

249.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

2.693 million tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

25.7% (2022 est.)

Environmental issues

soil deterioration and desertification (caused by inadequate agricultural practices and natural calamities); loss of biodiversity; deforestation; pollution of air and water

Total water withdrawal

municipal

1.7 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

740 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural

4.519 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

19.716 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas

1.58 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

16,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

18.12 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

13.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

38.12 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

International environmental agreements

party to

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Marine Life Conservation