WILLEMSTAD – Climate change has been identified by the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) as one of the most significant economic and financial risks facing Curaçao over the next decade. In its Research Agenda 2026–2028, the bank places climate-related research at the top of its economic priorities.
The CBCS warns that rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and prolonged droughts pose systemic risks that extend beyond environmental concerns. These developments threaten economic growth, public welfare, and financial stability, particularly in small island economies with limited fiscal buffers.
Planned research will focus on the macroeconomic impact of climate change, including how physical risks such as hurricanes and flooding affect growth, public finances, and the financial sector. The bank also intends to explore climate adaptation strategies, green financing, and the role of renewable energy investments in strengthening economic resilience.
For Curaçao, the research agenda signals a shift toward integrating climate risks into mainstream economic analysis. The CBCS notes that climate-smart investments could support sustainable growth, but stresses that these must be carefully assessed in terms of fiscal impact and long-term stability.
By embedding climate change into its core research framework, the CBCS is positioning climate resilience as an economic necessity rather than a peripheral policy issue.
