President Geerlings-Simons Advocates for Forest Protection Funding
At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil in November 2025, Suriname's President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons raised a critical question: why are forest protectors not being paid? Her statement underscored the significant tension between global conservation goals and the economic realities faced by forest-rich nations. President Geerlings-Simons emphasized that countries actively preserving their rainforests, such as Suriname, deserve tangible financial compensation for their environmental stewardship.
Suriname's Unprecedented Conservation Commitment
Suriname stands out globally with approximately 93% forest cover, making it one of the most forested countries and a carbon-negative nation, absorbing more carbon dioxide than it emits. In September 2025, during Climate Week in New York City, Suriname made a historic pledge to permanently protect 90% of its forests, far exceeding the global '30x30' target for climate and biodiversity protection. This commitment is further supported by updated conservation laws expected by the end of 2025, which will also recognize the ancestral lands of Indigenous and Maroon peoples.
The Global Funding Discrepancy
President Geerlings-Simons articulated a clear frustration with the current international financial mechanisms. She noted that while frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) exist in principle, they often fail to deliver practical financial support to countries that maintain their forests. 'People who actually took care of the forest and it's still there … don't get anything. They get a pat on the back and that's it,' she stated. Suriname has been an active participant in the REDD+ program since 2012 and is eligible for an estimated $80 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for its verified REDD+ results between 2018 and 2020. Additionally, the country plans to trade its REDD+ results as ITMOs under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, potentially generating $144 million by selling 4.8 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent.
Navigating Development and Conservation
The Surinamese president acknowledged the inherent tension between conservation and the country's development needs. She highlighted that the nation's forests are rich in natural resources, including 'gold, diamonds, bauxite and more.' President Geerlings-Simons views revenue generated from offshore oil projects as a crucial means to fund stricter oversight of mining activities and invest in vital sectors such as tourism and infrastructure, thereby ensuring the long-term preservation of the rainforest. A coalition of environmental donors has already committed $20 million to support Suriname's conservation efforts, aiming to create sustainable employment opportunities through ecotourism and nature-based jobs.
5 Comments
Habibi
The article highlights a crucial tension between conservation goals and national development needs, which is very real for countries like Suriname. However, linking forest protection payments directly to ITMOs might commodify nature in a way that risks its intrinsic value.
Muchacho
So they want money not to exploit their own resources? That sounds like environmental blackmail.
ZmeeLove
Forests are a global heritage, not a commodity to be traded or held for ransom. Find another way.
Coccinella
Suriname is a carbon-negative hero. They deserve every penny for their massive effort!
Mariposa
It's true that nations preserving vital ecosystems bear a disproportionate burden, and compensation is a reasonable ask. But the specifics of how this funding is generated and distributed need strict oversight to prevent corruption or greenwashing.