GREAT BAY--The International Panel on Deltas and Coastal Areas, IPDC, and its regional partners have launched new climate scenario reports and an interactive digital tool to help St. Maarten, Aruba and Curaçao better understand and prepare for future climate conditions.
The reports are based on an English-language publication released in December 2025 and are now available in Papiamento for Aruba, Papiamentu for Curaçao and Dutch. Their publication follows a joint effort involving the meteorological services and governments of the three countries, together with the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, KNMI.
The climate scenarios provide projections for 2050 and 2100 and are intended to support the development of national climate adaptation plans, infrastructure policies and long-term measures to protect communities and essential services.
Using global climate models and local historical observations, the reports examine how several important climate variables could change over time, including temperature, rainfall, wind speed and sea level. The projections have been adapted to reflect the geographical and climatic conditions of St. Maarten, Aruba and Curaçao.
For small island countries, access to reliable climate information is important for decisions concerning coastal development, drainage, water management, housing, tourism, public infrastructure and disaster preparedness. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and sea-level rise can have direct consequences for residents, businesses and government planning.
Alongside the reports, the partners have launched a new climate scenario tool through the Climate Impact Atlas for St. Maarten, Aruba and Curaçao. The interactive platform allows users to select a country, choose either 2050 or 2100, and examine projections for temperature, rainfall, wind or sea level.
The information displayed through the tool is consistent with the findings contained in the climate scenario reports. It has been designed to make scientific climate information easier to understand and use by government agencies, educators, students, researchers, businesses and community organizations.
Making the reports and digital platform available in local languages is also expected to strengthen public understanding and encourage wider participation in discussions about climate resilience and adaptation.
The initiative forms part of the IPDC’s work in the Caribbean region to expand access to climate information and assist the participating countries in developing practical, evidence-based adaptation strategies.
The climate scenarios were developed through cooperation between the IPDC, KNMI, Departamento Meteorologico Aruba, the Meteorological Department Curaçao, the Meteorological Department St. Maarten and the governments of Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten.
The digital scenario tool was developed by Stichting Climate Adaptation Services. The IPDC is an initiative funded by the Government of the Netherlands.
The St. Maarten climate scenario report is available through the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten at www.meteosxm.com. The interactive climate scenario tool can be accessed through the St. Maarten Climate Impact Atlas at stmartin.climateimpactatlas.com.
The Aruba and Curaçao reports and tools are also available through their respective meteorological services and climate information platforms.
Download St. Maarten's scenario here:Meteorological Department St. Maarten (MDS) Version - Meteorological Department St. Maarten (MDS)
