Fugro is teaming with the SDG Data Alliance to help Caribbean nations confront the growing risks of climate change. Through a newly formalised agreement, the partnership will support locally led efforts to strengthen coastal resilience by building technical capacity and improving access to decision-ready geospatial insights. These efforts will help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) respond more effectively to rising sea levels, intensifying storms and other climate-related threats.
Coastal lidar data over Sint Maarten. Image credit: Fugro
Many Caribbean SIDS face challenges in accessing the high-quality geospatial data, digital infrastructure and technical expertise needed to assess risk and plan effective adaptation strategies. Drawing on a history of success in the region, Fugro will help close these gaps by providing high-resolution mapping, expert analysis, data visualisation and hands-on training. These efforts will be channelled through the SIDS Global Data Hub, a digital platform within the SIDS Centre of Excellence. The work will also be aligned with the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), a roadmap adopted at the 2024 UN SIDS4 Conference to help island nations achieve resilient prosperity.
Greg Scott, Executive Director of the SDG Data Alliance, said: “The Data Alliance was founded as a multi-stakeholder partnership and is driven by public-private collaboration that is focused, practical and built for impact. Fugro brings the kind of technical depth and regional experience that can turn ambition into action. Their support will help us expand the reach and impact of the SIDS Global Data Hub and deliver on the promise of ABAS.”
Céline Gerson, Fugro’s Group Director for the Americas and President of Fugro USA, said: “We know that real progress happens when communities lead. Our work with the Data Alliance is about equipping government and community stakeholders with the Geo-data tools to drive their climate response on their terms and timelines. We’re excited to continue this work in collaboration with the Alliance and contribute to a more resilient future for Caribbean SIDS.”
This new partnership follows Fugro’s recent agreement with Esri, a founding member of the Data Alliance, to expand access to essential data and tools for climate resilience. It also comes ahead of next week’s fifteenth session of the UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM), where Dr. Valrie Grant, a geospatial professional and Caribbean lead in Fugro’s Climate and Nature practice, will represent the company. Dr Grant, who joined Fugro in May, will play a key role in advancing the impact of both partnerships across the region.
About Fugro
Fugro is the world’s leading Geo-data specialist. With our unique map, model and monitor solutions, we provide project critical insights into the built and natural environment. Fugro supports clients by delivering solutions in support of the energy transition, large-scale infrastructure development and climate resilience. With expertise in site characterisation and asset integrity, clients are supported in the safe, sustainable and efficient design, construction and operation of their assets throughout the life cycle. In line with our purpose, we are extending our know-how and solutions to the understanding and preservation of ecosystems. Employing approximately 11,000 people in 52 countries, Fugro serves clients around the globe, mostly in the energy, infrastructure and water industries, both offshore and onshore. In 2024, revenue amounted to EUR 2.3 billion. Fugro is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
About SDG Data Alliance
The SDG Data Alliance is an open, community-driven, multi-stakeholder partnership comprising the private sector, foundations, UN organisations, and local and national governments. An impact programme within PVBLIC Foundation, the Data Alliance was created in 2021 to bring geographic information systems, or GIS, technology, data, capabilities, resources and training to developing countries, especially Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in order to accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, more recently, the implementation of the ABAS. Today, the Data Alliance is expanding its work to support the establishment of the SIDS Centre of Excellence, a key outcome of the ABAS, through the development of the SIDS Global Data Hub and Country Data Hubs for SIDS. This work is grounded in the recognition that developing and strengthening the institutional and technical capacities of SIDS requires the ability to access new data sources, innovative technologies, visualisation tools, information systems, targeted training and global expertise.
