Nature-Based Solutions Inventory for Belize

The Nature-Based Solutions Inventory for Belize catalogues 37 projects implemented from 2018 to 2025 across all districts. These initiatives, led primarily by NGOs and community-based organisations, focus on reforestation, mangrove and coral reef restoration, and climate-smart agriculture to mitigate risks from sea level rise, hurricanes, and droughts. The report highlights a shift from grey infrastructure to NbS, supported by national policies like the National Landscape Restoration Strategy and international funding from entities such as the Adaptation Fund and Global Affairs Canada.

• NbS projects are distributed across all districts of Belize, with the highest concentration in the Belize district (18 projects) and the lowest in Orange Walk (five projects).
• The growth of NbS in Belize is driven by increased public financial support, leadership from civil society, and the integration of NbS into national policy, including the National Landscape Restoration Strategy and the third Nationally Determined Contribution.
• Coastal and marine NbS focus on restoring natural barriers to protect against storm surges and erosion, including sand renourishment in Dangriga and Hopkins, and the expansion of marine protected areas from 13% to 22%.
• Terrestrial NbS initiatives emphasize forest protection and regenerative agriculture, such as the permanent protection of 96,000 hectares of the Selva Maya’s tropical forest and the implementation of agroforestry and cacao-based production systems.
• Specific efforts are being made to address coral reef degradation through the restoration of thermally tolerant Acroporid species and the use of king crabs to control macroalgal overgrowth that smothers corals.
• The inventory highlights the role of the CAPA Initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada, in implementing several projects including the regeneration of the Maya Forest Corridor and the development of climate-smart agriculture in the Belize River Valley.
• Community-based fire management has been established as a critical NbS for disaster risk reduction, including the creation of fire management hubs in the Toledo District and firebreaks in the Maya Forest Corridor.
• Livelihood diversification is integrated into NbS to reduce pressure on natural resources, specifically through the promotion of sustainable seaweed mariculture for women and youth.

APA

Borland, G., Chan, B., Jang, N., & Prias, A. (2026). Nature-Based Solutions Inventory for Belize. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2026-03/nature-based-solutions-inventory-belize.pdf

Chicago

Borland, Giselle, Bianca Chan, Nicole Jang, and Angela Prias. Nature-Based Solutions Inventory for Belize. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2026. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2026-03/nature-based-solutions-inventory-belize.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Borland |first1=Giselle |last2=Chan |first2=Bianca |last3=Jang |first3=Nicole |last4=Prias |first4=Angela |title=Nature-Based Solutions Inventory for Belize |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=March 2026 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2026-03/nature-based-solutions-inventory-belize.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{borland2026naturebased, author = {Borland, Giselle and Chan, Bianca and Jang, Nicole and Prias, Angela}, title = {{Nature-Based Solutions Inventory for Belize}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2026-03/nature-based-solutions-inventory-belize.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }