On June 2, 2020, the Republic of Suriname shared its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to UNFCCC making the total number of NAPs from developing countries in NAP Central to 20.
Suriname is a tropical country in South America. It is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its geographical location. The country’s small population, major economic activities, and infrastructure are concentrated along the low-lying coastal zone. It has already experienced extensive coastal erosion and has suffered damages from heavy rainfall, flooding, higher temperatures during dry seasons, and high winds.
The NAP is a nationally-driven initiative designed to effectively address climate-related challenges in the pursuit of sustainable development. The NAP received support from the United Nations Development Programme’s Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP).
Suriname NAP outlines six strategic priorities:
- Institutional arrangements, policies and capacities able to lead and coordinate national and sub-national climate change adaptation;
- Data and information collection systems to fully support national and sub-national climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation decision-making;
- The integration and mainstreaming of climate change adaptation in broader Surinamese economic development policies, plans and programs.
- A national technical capacity that is fully trained and skilled at leading and implementing Suriname’s climate change adaptation actions;
- Climate change adaptation that respects Surinamese society and culture and reduces gender and social inequities;
- Identify and access financing and investment especially for innovation-driven climate change adaptation technologies.