WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao will face significantly higher temperatures, prolonged droughts, and rising sea levels in the coming decades, according to newly published climate scenarios developed by the Meteorological Department Curaçao (MDC), the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), and the International Panel on Deltas and Coastal Areas (IPDC).
The report projects that by 2050, average temperatures on the island could rise by 0.8 to 1.3 degrees Celsius, while by 2100, warming could reach up to 3.3 degrees Celsius, depending on global emissions pathways. The warming will be felt year-round, with the heat season becoming longer and more intense, posing serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Rainfall is expected to decline across most scenarios. In extreme cases, Curaçao could receive up to 50 percent less rain by the end of the century, increasing pressure on water resources, agriculture, and ecosystems. At the same time, sea levels around the island could rise by 24 centimeters by 2050 and up to 82 centimeters by 2100, threatening beaches, coastal infrastructure, and low-lying neighborhoods.
The authors stress that adaptation measures are urgently needed to protect water supplies, strengthen infrastructure, and improve heat resilience across communities .