Suriname First NDC(Archived)
Category: UNFCCC
Document Type: Nationally Determined Contribution
Role: Main
Summary of Suriname's 2015 Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the UNFCCC
Suriname's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), submitted on September 30, 2015, under the UNFCCC process (specifically referencing COP Decisions 1/CP19 and 1/CP20), outlines the nation's commitment to addressing climate change. The primary purpose is to contribute to the global climate effort and submit its intended contribution prior to COP21 in Paris. The scope of the INDC covers Suriname's national context, highlighting its unique position as a carbon-negative country due to its extensive forest cover. Key obligations and commitments presented are centered around maintaining this carbon-negative status by protecting its forests, which cover approximately 94% of the territory (15 million hectares). These forests store about 11 gigatons of carbon and absorb over 8.8 million tons annually, representing a significant historical contribution to carbon sequestration (over 350 million tons absorbed since 1972) for which Suriname notes it has not been compensated. While the INDC emphasizes maintaining the current mitigation status through forest preservation, it also heavily focuses on the country's high vulnerability to climate change impacts. Affected sectors and areas include the low-lying coastal zone where over 80% of the population, major economic activities, and infrastructure are concentrated, arable lands, coastal ecosystems (particularly mangrove forests), and the capital city, Paramaribo (a UNESCO Heritage City). Impacts from projected sea level rise are expected to severely damage coastal ecosystems and lands, potentially affecting over 40% of the country's GDP and the well-being of over 80% of the population. Vulnerable groups include those living in the coastal zone, along coastal rivers, and Indigenous and forest-dependent people. The document itself is dated September 30, 2015, and submitted prior to COP21 in December 2015. It does not specify future deadlines for implementing new mitigation actions or compliance dates within the INDC itself, as its focus is on stating intent, highlighting current status (carbon negative), historical contributions, and vulnerability. No national regulations or statutes are named within this specific document.
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Full text:
INTENDED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME Republic of Suriname Intended Nationally Determined Contribution Under UNFCCC 30 September 2015 1 INTENDED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME 1. INTRODUCTION The Republic of Suriname is committed to addressing the issues associated with climate change both nationally and globally. As such, and in accordance with the Conference of the Parties (COP) Decisions 1/CP19 (Warsaw) and 1/CP20 (Lima), Suriname hereby submits its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) prior to COP21 scheduled for Paris, to be organized in December 2015. 2. NATIONAL CONTEXT The Republic of Suriname is committed to playing its part in the global fight against climate change. As a developing country with a total population of 541,638 and abundant natural resources, Suriname has remained carbon negative. Suriname’s contribution to the global fight against climate change commenced long before countries of the world came together in 1972 at the United National Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm to agree on a common outlook for environmental protection and poverty alleviation and where climate change was given recognition for the first time. Historically, the Republic of Suriname has been maintaining and protecting its pristine forests and ecosystems. Consequently, approximately 15 million hectares or about 94% of Suriname’s territory remains forested resulting in 12.9 hectares per capita or net carbon capture per capita of 3.3 tons. The tropical rainforest of Suriname stores about 11 gigatons and absorbs more than 8.8 million tons of forest carbon annually. This represents approximately over 350 million tons of carbon absorbed since 1972. As a result of its forest carbon sequestration and avoided deforestation, Suriname has been providing a key ecosystem benefit to the world long before the issue of climate change was widely recognized and accepted. A service for which Suriname has not been paid. Despite this significant mitigation function, as a country with a low lying coast where over 80% of the population resides, and where the major economic activities and infrastructure are concentrated, Suriname is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Suriname has already suffered extensive losses and damages from the effects of climate change. Current projections for sea level rise will result in severe damage to coastal ecosystems, in particular, the mangrove forests and large expanse of arable 2 INTENDED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME lands. Impacts are projected to affect over 40% of the country’s GDP and the well-being of more than 80% of the population and Suriname’s capital, Paramaribo, a UNESCO Heritage City. Amongst the most vulnerable and who stand to be significantly impacted include those living in the coastal zone, along the coastal rivers as well as Indigenous and forest-dependent people living along the rivers and shores. Based on current trends, climate departure for Suriname will take place in 2028 at which point the country will experience, inevitably, huge losses and irreversible damage. This will impact the very way of life of the Surinamese people. Thus far, Suriname has had to deal with the losses and damages, undertake adaptation
Tags: Adaptation, Adaptation Planning, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Carbon Sink, Climate Change, Climate Change Risks, Coastal Erosion, Development, Forests, Ghg, Governance, Indigenous People, Infrastructure, Lulucf, Mangroves, Mitigation, Paris Agreement, Report, Unfccc