WWF-NL and partners are concerned about the future of nature on the BES islands. Nature in this region is in poor to very poor condition according to the State of Nature Report 2024. To address this, WWF-NL and partners urge the Dutch government to make at least €300 million available to protect and restore nature and improve environmental infrastructure.
Responsibility
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) is responsible for nature conservation in Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius. This is described in the Nature and Environmental Policy Plan Caribbean Netherlands 2020–2030 (NEPP). Based on expert and local expertise and documentation, WWF-NL estimates that €300 million extra is needed to implement the plan for the period up to 2030. 150 million euros is needed for direct nature conservation and restoration. Another 150 million euros is essential to upgrade environmental infrastructure, like wastewater solutions. As of now, there is no confirmed budget for the 2025 to 2030 period.
Collective concern
In a joint statement, several nature organizations on the BES islands stressed that the islands’ ecosystems are nearing a critical tipping point. Without urgent and structural financial support, we risk irreversible damage to coral reefs, mangroves, and terrestrial habitats. This would endanger biodiversity, food security, climate resilience, and local economies. The Netherlands must take responsibility by including nature conservation on the islands in the national budget, just as it does for the European part of the country.
Less nature, less revenue
The State of Nature Report 2024 shows that the biodiversity of the Caribbean Netherlands is under serious pressure. Research by Wageningen Marine Research and Wageningen Environmental Research identified three main threats: invasive species, free-roaming livestock, and climate change. For specific key habitats like coral reefs, these threats also include pollution due to insufficient wastewater treatment, diseases, and excess fishing pressure on the coast. When biodiversity is lost, we also lose the services nature provides. In 2013, the value of these services was estimated at 31% (Bonaire), 63% (Saba), and 24% (St. Eustatius) of the islands’ total economy (GDP).
Successful projects
Despite the challenges, several successful nature projects have already been carried out in the first implementation phase of NEPP. According to the State of Nature Report 2024, there were good results with removing roaming livestock, feral cats, and invasive iguanas. These actions must continue and be expanded. With Dutch government funding, local nature organizations have been able to protect species like sea turtles, tiger sharks, tropical forests, and coral reefs. It is not too late for nature on the BES islands, but structural funding is essential to stop further decline and continue these positive developments.