WILLEMSTAD - The Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius have collaboratively developed a climate agenda to address climate change. This agenda aims to enhance cooperation, financing, and knowledge sharing on climate change and sustainability within the Kingdom.
Despite the minimal contribution of the Caribbean Netherlands to climate change, the islands are highly vulnerable to its effects. The climate agenda includes agreements on climate mitigation, adaptation, and financing. Key initiatives focus on accelerating the energy transition by expanding solar and wind energy capacity and reducing the use of fossil fuels. Investment will also be made in infrastructure for the production, storage, and use of sustainable energy. Additionally, the development of water management systems to capture excess water during heavy rainfall is a priority.
In collaboration with Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius, this climate agenda will be made more concrete by developing specific climate plans for each island in 2024. Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten will work on their own climate plans with support from the Netherlands. Financial resources for implementing this agenda are available through the Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition Incentive Scheme (SDE++).
In October 2024, Curaçao and the Netherlands will jointly host the second Caribbean Climate and Energy Conference. This conference aims to discuss the progress of the climate agenda, further develop its implementation, and strengthen mutual cooperation.