The state of environmental governance at the territorial level in Cienfuegos. Challenges and opportunities for its improvement

Authors

Abstract

The coexistence of multiple activities of strategic importance in the bay of Cienfuegos, Cuba, of territorial and national interest, warns that it is necessary to consider the impact of the processes that occur in the four watershed basins that drain into this coastal ecosystem in order to continue favoring its sustainable use, due to its tendency toward environmental deterioration. Therefore, this work aims to assess the state of environmental governance in the territory of Cienfuegos from a critical perspective as it pertains to the conservation of this bay from an ecological, economic, and social point of view. Through an extensive literature review, the new guidelines of environmental governance are grounded, along with the analysis of documents and research project reports and services developed by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment in the province. The current challenges in environmental governance have been identified through this process, which must be overcome in the interest of the proper functioning of this natural resource. Additionally, opportunities for improvement have also been identified with the incorporation of the Social Studies of Science and Technology and the Integrated Coastal Sciences and Management approaches through educational processes. Considering the attributes of both approaches for their comprehensive and participatory nature will undoubtedly contribute to modifying the current governance, serving as the basis for appropriate governance with more tempered decision-making based on reality.

Keywords:

Environmental governance, sustainable use of coastal resources, Cienfuegos Bay.

Published

2024-09-13

How to Cite

Soto Herrera, Y. de la C., & Castellanos González, M. E. (2024). The state of environmental governance at the territorial level in Cienfuegos. Challenges and opportunities for its improvement. Universidad Y Sociedad, 16(5), 387–394. Retrieved from https://rus.ucf.edu.cu/index.php/rus/article/view/4636