REDD+ Journey in Belize

Today at the CARICOM pavilion at the Conference of the Parties 26, the Belize delegation hosted a side event, highlighting the REDD+ project in Belize. The United Nation’s framework to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation aims to curb climate change by incentivizing countries that have put in place significant conservation mechanisms and sustainable management of forests. This enhances the forest carbon stock and can translate into economic opportunities for the country through the concept of carbon credits entailed in article six of the Paris Agreement. During the presentation, Geospatial Monitoring Unit Manager with the Belize Forest Department Edgar Correa shared details as the first phase of project winds down.

Edgar Correa, Geospatial Monitoring Unit Manager, Belize Forest Department

“The project is finalizing this year, nevertheless, we have several outputs from the project. One of the key outputs is the actual results. And when I speak about results, I am speaking about the amount of carbon credit that Belize has noticed that it has obtained from its work that it’s been doing for many years within its forest sector, including mangroves. So definitely one of the key results that can now help Belize move forward to actually continue implementing REDD+ in Belize. I think it is important to look at it in terms of benefits because people actually look at it in terms of the benefits that the forest brings when it comes to the medicinal benefits, when it comes to the logging benefits, the timber benefits, the food because when it comes to food we look at wildlife as well. And most importantly at the watersheds when it comes to the water. So definitely, once people realize the importance of forest – not only within, even the agriculture sector or the development sector – it is key because in the long term the investment that is being made right now is what will keep Belize as it is.”