Belize Passes First Climate Change Law on Carbon Credits
Belize’s first law on climate change and carbon markets officially came into effect on June 18, when Governor‑General Dame Froyla Tzalam signed it. It was published in the official Gazette two days later.
The law does two main things. First, it makes the government’s Climate Change Department official and gives it more power to coordinate the country’s response to climate change and track its progress. Second, it sets the rules for something newer: carbon markets, where countries or companies can earn money by reducing emissions and selling that benefit as “carbon credits”.
Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change Orlando Habet said the law puts Belize “in a stronger position to advance our climate agenda on our own terms”.
With the law now in place, the government’s next task is putting it into action. That means developing the regulations, standards, and systems needed to govern carbon market projects and how they will operate in Belize.
As part of that process, the Ministry, with support from the European Union, the Euroclima programme, and the United Nations Development Programme, held a two-day workshop in Belmopan on June 24 and 25 to begin drafting Belize’s Climate Change and Carbon Market Policy.
The workshop brought together government officials, businesses, environmental groups, academics, and community members to make sure the policy fits Belize’s real situation rather than being copied from elsewhere.
Habet said the goal is to keep the process open and “built on broad consultation and national ownership, one that reflects our priorities, protects our people and ecosystems, and positions Belize to benefit from climate finance,” he said.
“This is a collective process,” said Chief Climate Change Officer Edalmi Pinelo. “We are here to listen, and the feedback gathered will inform every stage of policy development.”
More consultations and working groups are expected in the coming months as the government continues drafting the policy.