During these days, four establishments in the Jardines del Rey tourist destination, located in northern Ciego de Ávila province, are aspiring to receive the Ozone-Depleting Substances Free Recognition – awarded by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (Citma) – after replacing refrigeration equipment that used gases harmful to the ozone layer.
Livia Polín García, specialist at the Citma’s Environmental Subdelegation in the Avilanian territory, acknowledged the willpower and effort demonstrated in recent years by entities linked to tourism management to replace equipment using hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
The list of candidates for this accolade includes Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar and Grand Muthu Imperial hotels, located in Cayo Guillermo; and Grand Aston Cayo Paredón, situated on the islet of the same name; all belonging to the Gaviota Tourism Group.
The Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) has nominated Sol Cayo Coco Hotel for this recognition, a facility under the Gran Caribe Hotel Group and linked to the Sustainable Tourism International Project, which promotes environmentally-friendly hotel management focused on biodiversity conservation, energy efficiency and climate change mitigation.
Polín García added that on this occasion, Almacenes Universales S.A. is also competing for this recognition, demonstrating its commitment to environmental protection.
These entities have replaced refrigeration and air conditioning systems that used ozone-depleting gases and global warming accelerators with ecological equipment, allowing Cuba to advance in compliance with the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, global agreements to preserve this natural protective shield of the planet and mitigate global warming.
The progressive replacement of equipment using ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases remains a priority for the Antillean nation, which is implementing the National Plan for Total Elimination of HCFCs (2022-2030 phase) through resolutions issued by Citma.
