Belize Receives Over $3M for Climate Resilience Initiatives

Previously hailed as a trailblazer for climate activism in the region, Belize has made history yet again by being one of the first government entities to oversee and manage funds from the Green Climate Fund. Additionally, over three million, one hundred fifty thousand Belize dollars was handed over to the Government of Belize to fund several climate resilience projects across the nation. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

While Belize has always been a champion in climate change initiatives, the time has come for climate resilience, which involves being able to successfully cope and manage impacts of climate change and preventing those impacts from getting worse. In November 2023, world leaders convened at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, where Belize was able to negotiate further funding for such endeavors.

Osmond Martinez

Osmond Martinez, C.E.O., Ministry of Economic Development

“Our main aim is now to be more independent because… automatically Belize qualifies for 1 million US dollars on an annual basis from GCF, which is under the readiness fund. But we do have a lot of problems to spend those monies because the accredited entities look at 1 million US dollars as small funds, as small monies. And then it’s been cut into a lot of little projects. So it’s a lot of work with limited or  not too much of a good incentive for the accredited entities. Therefore, by the Ministry of Economic Development being able to  implement the readiness, it will help because we can work faster and implement at a much faster rate”

We spoke with Doctor Osmond Martinez, Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Economic Development, who told us about Belize’s immediate plans for the grants which included additional education programs and better equipment for the National Meteorological Service.

Osmond Martinez

“The main objective here is that the 3.157  million Belize dollars, which is a grant that we are getting,  it’s not a loan, it’s a grant. It will be covering three main components. Component number one,  is it will assist with the capacity building for the MET Office and that includes training for the MET personnel in data analysis, instruments, maintenance and installations. And there will also be, opportunities for personnel at the MET Office to study for a master’s degree for the electronic technicians in computer networking and then component number two is  purchasing of equipment for the MET and NEMO office so there will be for example computers that will definitely be purchased with these funds. And the third one is to develop and implement a Multi-hazard Early Warning System and transition to impact-based forecasting, which will include public assessment and awareness before and after implementations a multi hazard system to warn people about potential floodings, heat, droughts, in the Belize district”

Dr. Martinez stated that Belize has high hopes for future endeavors in which the ministry will be able to access greater funding for the country.

Osmond Martinez

“We have been practically accredited to manage the readiness funds, which is up to 1 million US dollars per year. However we will continue to enhance our accreditation process. So that by the time we are fully accredited, we will be able to develop and implement projects between 20 to 50 million US dollars.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.