Suriname National Adaptation Plan 2019 - 2029

The National Adaptation Plan for Suriname (2019-2029) is a national strategic policy instrument which follows a flexible methodological and multi-sectoral approach. It supports ongoing adaptation initiatives and lays down strategies for management and reduction of long-term climate risks on the ground. It is based on the National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan for Suriname 2014-2021 (NCCPSAP), but also expands to include other sectoral and other government and stakeholder plans. A particular emphasis will be placed on urban areas resulting from increased risks of flooding due to a combination of abundant rainfall, poor drainage, and rising sea and river levels.

Overview

Type of instrument:

Legislative, regulatory and strategic instruments›Dedicated strategy, plan, or law

Challenges addressed

Ecologic connectivity
Soil quality
Water management (e.g. reuse)
Watershed restoration/water quality
Flood risk: pluvial and fluvial / soil permeability
Heat stress and heat island effect
Social cohesion
Social equity
Reconnection to the biosphere / environmental education
Human health, comfort and well-being

Consideration of nature-based solutions:

With regard to land-use planning, an agro-ecosystem zoning based on vulnerability and risk assessment of land shall be established. Moreover, the plan focuses on assessing natural waterways to mitigate flooding and drainage problems. As the coastline is particularly exposed to flooding, the establishment of protected areas and a buffer zone along water bodies has to be taken into account. Sources of funding for climate resilient infrastructure will be identified.

Targeted (peri-)urban areas:

Parks and (semi)natural urban green areas

Green areas for water management

Urban green space connected to grey infrastructure

Good practice characteristics:

Effective

Sustainable in the long-term

Locally appropriate

Potential to be replicated / upscaled

Innovative

Governance

Government body/bodies

Initiating body:

Coordination environment in the President's Cabinet

Instrument design:

Details about how the instrument was designed:

The Government of Japan, through the United Nations Development Programme’s Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (UNDP JCCCP), designed in collaboration with the Government of Suriname the National Adaptation Plan 2019-2029. The Coordination Environment at the Office of the President, as the national focal point of the multilateral environmental treaties and environmental organizations, is in charge of managing, monitoring and overviewing the implementation of National Adaptation Plan. Apart from other ministries which have relevant climate adaptation mandates, the National Institute for Environment and Development (NIMOS) or the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control are responsible to implement the environmental policy and enforce the Forest Management Act.

Involvement of non-governmental actors:

Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)

Private sector, corporate, business

Researchers, university

Citizens or community groups / NGOs

Type of actor involvement:

Co-planning or co-design of instrument (e.g. boards, advisory role)

Expert task force consultation

Civil society consultation through e.g. workshops, surveys

Instrument implementation:

Type of involvement:

Non-state actors shall collaborate with the respective government ministries and agencies on climate action. It includes - inter alia - civil society, the private sector, academia and donors.

Type of non-governmental actors involved:

Citizen councils or consultation for co-planning (e.g. workshops, surveys)

Targeted actors:

Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)

Private: household, real estate developer, business , financial

Researchers, university

Citizens or community groups (CBOs), NGOs

Financing

Sources of funding:

Public national budget

Budget:

Unknown

Details about instrument financing:

There are opportunities to increase available public resources as well as private sector finance and investment for climate change initiatives. To name a few instruments which will be considered: blended finance arrangements (combination of public/and or private development finance flows), green bonds, social and development bonds, debt-for-nature swaps, and state contingent debt instruments. So far, the majority of investments in climate change adaptation, mitigation or resilience have relied on bilateral and multilateral development banks.

Monitoring, evaluation and impacts

Is a monitoring framework in place?:

Yes

Different observation networks and monitoring systems will be established. For example, in relation to water management and sustainable use of water resources.

Achieved outcomes and impacts:

Numerous awareness raising programmes shall be launched, e.g. an awareness raising programme on the impacts of climate change on water resources and management of these impacts or on the role of forest conservation, restoration or sustainable use of forests. Awareness raising campaigns will also be conducted on a local level, including farmers and fisherfolk. With regard to Urban Planning, new instruments will be introduced: Climate proofing revisions shall be made to existing legislation on spatial planning, where appropriate or new legislation that incorporates consideration of climate adaptation from the introduction.

Success factors and lessons learned:

The National Adaptation Plan provides a multi-sectoral approach and offers both medium- and long-term adaptation strategies. It aims to include all relevant actors in the adaption process and to not leave someone behind. A special focus is on education, training and skills development programs. What further underlines its holistic approach is that climate change adaptation and mitigation will be integrated into the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors.

Sources and further information

References

List of references:

Government of Suriname. (2019). Suriname National Adaptation Plan 2019 -2029. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC204199 (Accessed: 30.01.2023)

Photos

@bio-plateaux.org