THE HAGUE – The Advisory Division of the Council of State has expressed concerns that the national Climate Plan only applies to the European part of the Netherlands, excluding the Caribbean territories.
In its advisory opinion on the Climate Plan, the Council of State notes that under the Climate Act, the plan solely covers the Dutch part of the Kingdom. As a result, the Caribbean municipalities of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (BES islands) are not included in the national climate strategy.
However, the Council emphasizes that this exclusion does not diminish the urgent impact of climate change on the Caribbean territories. "Climate change has a significant influence on the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, which are among the most vulnerable regions in the world when it comes to climate change," the advisory states.
The omission of the BES islands from the Climate Plan has raised concerns among experts and policymakers, given the increasing threat of rising sea levels, hurricanes, and other environmental challenges facing the Caribbean region. Climate advocates are calling for a more inclusive strategy that takes the specific needs of the Dutch Caribbean into account.