Climate Risk Profile: Belize
This report provides an overview of observed and projected climatic changes in Belize and their impacts on communities and ecosystems. It includes recommended nature-based solutions (NbS) for adaptation actions, as well as measures to ensure they are gender-responsive and socially inclusive. The profile is based on a comprehensive climate risk assessment conducted in and around the Maya Forest Corridor, Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, and South Water Caye Marine Reserve.
Key Messages
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Belize faces several climate hazards, including sea level rise and hurricanes, which pose serious threats to its environmental integrity and socio-economic development. Impacts on ecosystems and communities are expected to worsen in the future as the intensity and frequency of hazards increase.
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Climate change has significantly impacted livelihoods in Belize. It has driven biodiversity loss, leading to a decline in the availability of marine and agricultural products. This has heightened concerns about food insecurity and affected traditions and cultural practices.
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Belize is exemplifying its commitment to climate adaptation through different plans and strategies, including the National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Master Plan (2021), National Climate Finance Strategy of Belize (2021–2026), and the formulation of national adaptation plans.
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As Belize continues to face the impacts of climate change, implementing effective adaptation strategies, including NbS for adaptation, is essential. These initiatives should make a deliberate effort to adopt a gender-responsive and socially inclusive approach to their implementation.
Belize is at high risk of experiencing the negative impacts of climate change. Its flat, low-lying terrain, extensive coastline, and over 1,060 small islands exacerbate its vulnerability to a range of climate hazards, including sea level rise and hurricanes. These hazards pose significant threats to Belize's population, environmental integrity, and socio-economic development. As communities and ecosystems continue to face the impacts of climate change, implementing effective climate adaptation strategies is critical to build resilience.
This climate risk profile has been developed as part of the Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas Initiative to illustrate the impacts of climate change in Belize, specifically within and around the Maya Forest Corridor, Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, and South Water Caye Marine Reserve. It is based on a comprehensive climate risk assessment that was undertaken in Belize and relies on information collected from desk-based or secondary research and participatory engagement processes with communities. The outcomes and data collected through the climate risk assessment helped to underpin the choices of NbS for adaptation and inform the recommended measures for gender-responsive and socially inclusive adaptation.
Participating experts
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