The Dutch Caribbean islands face urgent challenges in terms of climate resilience and adaptation. Severe cyclones, extreme rainfall, sea level rise and heat will increase, with major consequences for the islanders. These consequences are already noticeable and will exert increasing pressure on infrastructure, healthcare, fisheries and tourism, for example. The potential impact of climate change varies from island to island.
On Bonaire, a climate plan is being developed, led by the Public Entity and coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth (mitigation), and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (adaptation). At the end of 2024, the Bonaire Climate Table asked the KIN, the International Panel on Deltas, Coastal Areas, and Islands (IPDC) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF-NL) to submit a proposal for the development of a knowledge chapter for the climate adaptation plan for Bonaire. The proposal should form a basis for future research efforts and policy development in relation to climate adaptation and climate mitigation on the island.
Led by the IPDC and together with our project partners, we will be working on this assignment in 2025. Through system mapping, inventory of existing research and research questions, gathering residents’ perspectives and co-creative sessions, we will arrive at a knowledge overview and knowledge agenda. The aim is for this to inform policy-making, support decision-making and provide direction for future research and knowledge initiatives. This will contribute to better coordination, more targeted implementation and the relevance of knowledge for climate change on Bonaire.
