Greenpeace sues the state: Bonaire must be protected from the dangers of climate change

In cooperation with eight Bonaire residents, the environmental organization Greenpeace filed a lawsuit against the Dutch state on Thursday. This came during a press conference held in Kralendijk, the capital of Bonaire. The claimants believe that the residents of the Dutch Caribbean special municipality are not adequately protected against the consequences of the climate crisis.

Going to court is a follow-up Application letter Dated May 2023. That letter included a demand that the Netherlands take concrete measures to protect Bonaire from the risks of climate change.

Research conducted by Vrije Universiteit on behalf of Greenpeace has already indicated the potential risks of climate change for Bonaire in 2022. If the global₂Emissions do not decrease, heat waves will increase, and coral reefs will die. The southern part of the island is also at risk of flooding due to sea level rise.

Very noncommittal

Ed Naigbels, the climate table's catering officer on Bonaire, has previously posted his advice It's not too late, where he criticized the current climate policy surrounding the BES islands (Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius). The funds, knowledge and personnel for a proper climate approach on the islands are said to be lacking. Despite this critical stance, Greenpeace found Naegels' advice to be too non-committal.

Although the Dutch government is aware of climate concerns over Bonaire, and claimants and the government have held several talks, no actual commitments and concrete actions have been made by the Dutch government, Greenpeace says. That is why the environmental organization, along with eight residents of Bonaire, decided to go to court. This legal approach has previously proven successful: in 2015, the Urgenda Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Dutch state, demanding CO₂Emissions were reduced by at least 25 percent in 2020. That case, also on appeal, The institution won.

A group of dozens of people, including representatives of the Caribbean diaspora and the climate and anti-racism movement, are today carrying out a symbolic protest march in The Hague from Torrenti to the court to deliver the summons.