Climate Finance Unit Takes Shape
Following COP26 and other efforts to boost Belize’s sustainable development, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment announced it has created a Climate Finance Unit. The C.F.U. comes on stream as of January third and is intended to streamline the process for those wishing to access climate financing and assist the government in carrying out sustainable development priorities. The unit’s many responsibilities include monitoring, reviewing and updating the climate finance strategy of Belize and acting as a hub for expertise on climate finance to facilitate both government and partnership projects. It will also lead Belize’s international climate finance advocacy and networking efforts. A release from the government press office says the C.F.U., which is within the Ministry of Economic Development, will initially be staffed by a director, an economist, a proposal development officer and an international advocacy and networking officer. Carlos Pol has been appointed director, Leroy Martinez has been brought on as an economist and G.C.F. focal point, and Hunter Hales is a proposal development officer.