Best practices in climate adaptation

This page mainly contains links to publications on the restoration of coral and mangrove forests. The forests help to protect the coast against flooding. Below is a list of interesting studies. Over time, we intend to add more best practices to the page. Do you know of a good example of climate adaptation in the Caribbean part of the Netherlands? Let us know via the helpdesk form.

Coral restoration

Nature restoration around Lac Bay on Bonaire

To restore and enhance the natural environment in and around Lac Bay on Bonaire and to create options for sustainable leisure activities, the Bonaire National Parks Foundation (STINAPA) has received a grant from the European Development Fund under the Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme. Among other things, STINAPA aims to restore seagrass and coral, and conduct a water quality study in the bay. In addition to protecting nature, the activities will help to retain sand, thus breaking the waves and combating beach erosion. More information can be found in the Klimaatalarm voor Bonaire (Bonaire Climate Alert).

Mangrove restoration

Mangrove Maniacs

The Mangrove Maniacs volunteer foundation on Bonaire is dedicated to protecting mangrove forests and restoring damaged mangroves. Mangrove forests are important in terms of biodiversity, providing a habitat for birds, fish, and crustaceans. As a natural buffer between the land and the sea, they also protect the coast against the rising sea level and storm surges. Furthermore, mangroves are capable of sequestering large volumes of CO₂. Below is a link to the Mangrove Maniacs website and to a KNMI video on mangrove restoration:

• Mangrove Maniacs website
• KNMI video featuring an example of mangrove restoration on Bonaire

Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park

The Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park is a remarkable city park on the island of Curaçao. It covers an area of approximately 12 hectares and consists of mangrove trees. Mangroves are essential for Curaçao. They provide food and shelter for marine animals, and are also important for the reproduction of a wide range of marine animals. Furthermore, mangroves help to protect the coast, for example, from hurricanes. The city park raises awareness among residents and visitors of the importance of mangroves to Curaçao. Consequently, they are also important in terms of tourism.

Sustainable agriculture

Organic farming on Curaçao

The Future Islands website provides information on various projects involving sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture on Curaçao: Zen Farm BV, Nos Kunuku BV and D’Farm. In its enclosed spaces, Zen Farm uses hydroponics to cultivate crops that normally only grow in cool climates, such as cabbage, carrots and spinach. Nos Kunuku is an organic farm running on solar energy, which also cultivates hydroponic crops in enclosed spaces. D’Farm engages in the cultivation of crops such as lettuce and fresh mint.

Sustainable festivals

Festival di Awa

2024 saw the first edition of the Festival di Awa (“Water Festival”) in Kralendijk on the island of Bonaire. It featured scientific presentations as well as music, dance and theatre performances. This project was intended to raise awareness among residents of the importance of clean water and to call for attention, in a playful and creative manner, for themes such as sustainability, the climate and inclusivity. For more details, read this article on Bonaire.nu.

Adaptation measures implemented by Justice Department

In the summer of 2024, Curacao.nu published an article about several public services implementing measures to combat the extreme heat. For example, sports and fitness activities in the prison were temporarily suspended to prevent overheating among the prisoners. In addition, the times for free movement in the blocks were adjusted, and the prisoners were provided with extra ice and water. The police and fire department also took appropriate measures. They ensured a sufficient supply of water and ice for the staff at all times. Furthermore, emergency repairs were carried out on defective air conditioning systems to maintain a pleasant and safe working environment.

Links to interesting studies

• The Climate Summary compiled by the Meteorological Department Curaçao provides information on the climate in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
• The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has a dedicated website providing weather and climate information on the Caribbean Netherlands.
• Island(er)s at the Helm is a research project of the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Its goal is to develop sustainable and inclusive solutions to render the Dutch Caribbean islands resilient, also from a social perspective, to the consequences of climate change.
• The Resilience Restoration in the Caribbean Netherlands project of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is contributing to halting the decline of the coral reefs in the Caribbean Netherlands. It is also helping to improve ecosystem services and to enhance local organisations.
• The SEALINK project is a research project in which scientists coming from various angles are collaborating to study coral reefs in the Dutch Caribbean.
• The PARATUS project is a European research project aimed at reducing the risk of complex disasters and at improving relief following such disasters.
• The Flooding and Water Quality on Dutch Caribbean Islands story map is the result of a Deltares “hackathon” aimed at protecting areas against flooding and at improving forecasting capabilities relating to extreme weather events. By 2030, the project aims to have models and tools for protecting millions of people against flooding and for safeguarding freshwater quality for people and nature.
• St Eustatius National Parks Foundation has joined forces with Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences and the Saba Conservation Foundation to restore coral reefs by cultivating Diadema sea urchins. These sea urchins protect the coral from algae. The seven-year project runs from 2023 up to and including 2029. For more details, go to Nature Today.
• The weADAPT website contains an overview of information on the impacts of climate change on islands, and on the measures being implemented to reduce the consequences.
• The United Nations published a report entitled Local Solutions - Adapting to Climate Change in Small Island Developing States. This report contains examples of adaptation measures on island states in the Pacific, the Caribbean, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and in southern Asia.
• The Greenpeace website features a double interview with Danique Martis and Eefje de Kroon, held in 2024, about the lawsuit Greenpeace has instituted against the Dutch government regarding climate justice for Bonaire.
• Wageningen World, the magazine for relations and alumni of Wageningen University & Research, features an interview with Dolfi Debrot, Senior Tropical Marine Ecologist at Wageningen Marine Research, about nature conservation in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, sustainable fisheries, small-scale farming, and the threats to nature due to overgrazing by roaming goats.