Cuba Publishes Carbon Market Regulation to Support Article 6 Goals

Cuba has unveiled a new regulatory framework to guide the development of both voluntary and compliance carbon markets, marking a key step in the country’s environmental policy. The initiative aims to secure Cuba’s role under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which enables international cooperation through carbon trading.

A vibrant Cuban hummingbird flying around flowers and an iguana resting on rocks in a tropical forest. AI generated picture. 

The framework, outlined in Resolution 106/2025 and released by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment (CITMA), establishes clear requirements for future carbon projects. It is designed to allow ‘distinct economic actors’ to channel finance into the protection and sustainable use of the nation’s natural resources.

Speaking at the launch, CITMA’s head Armando Rodríguez Batista highlighted the significance of the move. ‘This regulation makes Cuba an active player in the global climate economy, prioritising sustainability and social justice, inherent to our socialist system’, he said.

Eligible projects may focus on areas such as renewable energy generation, cutting industrial emissions, restoring ecosystems, improving waste management, and enhancing food security. All initiatives must be listed in a forthcoming national registry, which will ensure compliance with recognised carbon standards, whether local or international. Developers will be required to submit their projects within 30 days of registering under a chosen standard.

Oversight will be handled by a new CITMA unit, responsible for maintaining the registry and selecting applicable carbon methodologies.

The framework follows Cuba’s February announcement that it would move to operationalise carbon markets with support from the UN Development Programme (UNDP). At the time, officials indicated the country intended to leverage Article 6 to drive its energy transition and strengthen forest conservation.

By formalising its carbon market system, Cuba is seeking to attract new investment opportunities while aligning environmental restoration with its broader development strategy.