March 14, 2022
(CCCCC Press Release 2022/006)
(City of Belmopan, Belize) The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) in collaboration with the National Hydrological Service in the Ministry of Natural Resources launched its first ever Green Climate Fund (GCF) National Adaptation Planning (NAP) for Integrated Water Resources Management in Belize. The launch was held on March 10th at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City.
The recently approved NAP for Integrated Water Resources Management in Belize will support key stakeholders to better understand Belize’s groundwater for effecting more efficient management practices. Observing this year’s World Water Day theme “Groundwater is invisible, but its impact is visible everywhere. Out of sight, under our feet, groundwater is a hidden treasure that enriches our lives”, this project is the start in addressing key challenges that our water sector is facing.
In his welcome address at the launch, Dr. Osmond Martinez, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Economic Development noted that “Water is life, and it is critical to contributing to the growth of the country. The NAP will enable the Ministry to manage Belize’s natural resources in a changing and variable climate and to respond to impacts of climate change on the water sector. The data collected on groundwater resources will also inform the country’s water and coastal adaptation.”
Erratic weather patterns, poor rainfall and garbage dumped in shallow wells have negatively impacted Belize’s groundwater resources. Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining, Ms. Nelda Tulcey knows this all too well, “Our groundwater resource is our largest security for water and food. And yet its quantity and quality are significantly affected by droughts and floods, changes in the hydrological cycle and altering of the surface water levels and coastal aquifers” she noted, adding “climate scenarios indicate that Belize’s water resources will continue to be negatively affected by climate change and a study conducted in 2019 shows that groundwater resources are likely to respond to stresses in less than 10 years. Water is critical to all sectors including the tourism, agriculture, economic and productive sectors. Therefore, the Ministry recognizes the importance of a focused integrated plan that will create a shift from crisis management to a more proactive and responsive management.”
The GCF is the world’s largest financing mechanism for climate change adaptation and mitigation actions. In his presentation, Mr. Leroy Martinez, the GCF Focal Point in the Ministry of Economic Development shared that “Belize has an updated 2021 strategic framework which includes a country programme for engagement with the GCF that is aligned with all national priorities. We have since sought to mobilise a potential of $187M to support the strengthening of the country’s adaptive capacity. The National Designated Authority (NDA) is also supporting the accreditation of three additional National Entities, namely the Belize Social Investment Fund, the Ministry of Economic Development, and the Development Finance Corporation to increase our accessibility to climate financing.”
The National Hydrological Service is the sole entity responsible for the operational facet of the country’s water resources. Principal Hydrologist in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ms. Tennielle Williams Hendy expressed, “There is a paucity of information regarding (a) the availability of groundwater resources (b) the level of demand/usage and (c) the quality of the groundwater. Additionally, there is the limited access to financial resources that impedes investments in water-related adaptation measures. Therefore, this NAP will support the building of capacity and empowerment of the Government of Belize, specifically the National Hydrological Service, to manage Belize’s water resources in a changing climate and facilitate the integrating of climate change adaptation. It will also help our preparedness in the event of a climate crisis which can lead to water, food, and health security issues.”
Mr. Keith Nichols, Head of Project Development and Management Unit at the CCCCC in bringing the curtain down on the launch stated that the world is on its current projection to reach 1.5°C by 2030 if everything remains the same business as usual approach. He said, “Water is going to be at the crux of the impacts of climate change. This region will get drier, according to the report from the IPCC. No economy can withstand the impacts of extended drought conditions. It is a complex and multisectoral responsibility because every sector benefits from secure water availability and quality.”
Since accreditation in 2015 as a direct-access Entity, the CCCCC has mobilised USD$16.8M to assist countries in the Caribbean to scale up their access to funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes. The CCCCC is committed to building the region’s resilience to ensure a secure future for all.
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The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre is an inter-governmental Caribbean Community (CARICOM) institution that is mandated by the CARICOM Heads of Government to coordinate the Region’s response to climate change. We maintain the Caribbean’s most extensive repository of information and data on climate change specific to the region, which in part enables us to provide climate change-related policy advice and guidelines to CARICOM Member States. In this role, the Centre is recognized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Environment Programme, and other international agencies as the focal point for climate change issues in the Caribbean. The Centre is also one of the few institutions recognized as a Centre of Excellence by United Nations Institute for Training and Research. CCCCC is empowering the Caribbean Community to act on climate change.
