Final National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan for Suriname 2014-2021.

The National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan for Suriname 2014-2021 is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. It implements Suriname Environmental Policy 2012-2016, and its aim is to reduce the country’s vulnerability through the implementation of climate resilience measures in the coastal area as well as in the interior while bringing development through sustainable and clean technology. In addition emphasis will be placed on research to generate data on the vulnerability of Suriname, on awareness-raising campaigns and on delivering climate resilience measures cross-sectorally. The National Climate Change Policy which derives from the Development Plan should build on and support the objectives of the national sectoral policies such as those on water, energy, transport, etc.
Agriculture will be more productive and sustainable due to infrastructure development planned to conserve water, provide irrigation and protect agriculture from salt water intrusion. The energy sector will be improved through infrastructural improvements of existing hydropower facilities. Food security and food safety will be ensured through promoting sustainable agriculture production and establishing Suriname as food producer and food supplier of the Caribbean region. In this regard, the objective is to implement more efficient production systems, reduce energy consumption and incorporate the reuse of already exploited or abandoned fields. More inclusive food systems will be reduced through the establishment of the social safety nets and social protection, food banks and distribution of food surplus, municipal services including water and sanitation, vaccination programmes, essential public health services, and enhanced emergency medical services.
Disaster risk management services will collaborate with institutions responsible for climate change management to ensure improved knowledge and management across Suriname of climatic impact including financial measures to increase resilience in the wake of disaster.
The strategy to implement the policy involves: (i) Suriname’s Climate Change Development roadmap; (ii) sector and cross-sector climate resilience and low carbon emission development approaches; (iii) capacity building needs and opportunities; (iv) technology transfer; (v) opportunities to attract investment and finance for climate change development; and (vi) monitoring, reporting, and evaluation requirements.
The Ministry of Labor, Technological Development, and Environment will be responsible for driving and delivering the overarching roadmap. It will also identify key government ministries, departments, agencies, and non-governmental institutions that should be involved in the policy implementation. The NCCPSAP Implementation Team working with the MinFin will agree on a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) programme during Commencement stage (2014-2016), which should also provide guidance on a results verification process and reporting protocol.