Carbon Symposium 2023

On Wednesday May 24th, 2023, approximately 100 Belizeans from across the country representing not for profits, indigenous peoples and local communities, academia, private sector, and government, participated in the Belize Network of NGO’s (BNN) first carbon symposium. The event was organized as an educational forum, primarily aimed at building the capacity of non-governmental organizations and the broader civil society on requirements, safeguards, legal framework for designing and implementing good quality carbon projects and on carbon credits, carbon trading and the carbon markets.

Climate change is upon us, and we all must do our part to mitigate it but also adapt to its impacts. However, as citizens of Belize we cannot do our part if we are not empowered with the necessary knowledge and tools. The symposium aimed to demonstrate that carbon projects and programs present an opportunity for Belize to secure sustainable financing and to maintain the health of our ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems improve the lives and livelihoods of Belizeans, particularly through provision of clean water, food security, clean air, flood control and improve our resilience and ability to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

bnn carbon symposium

Local and international experts in the carbon field shared what climate change is and how reducing carbon emissions or increasing carbon removals can bring about co-benefits for climate, community, and biodiversity. Speakers addressed what it takes to develop a project based on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), gave examples of this, and spoke about the benefits of having both standalone projects as well as a national program. Opportunities for private sector, particularly in the areas of energy and agriculture, were also highlighted. A final segment of the symposium focused on carbon rights, benefit sharing mechanisms and international safeguard requirements, such as transparent forest governance, respect for the rights of indigenous peoples, participation of relevant stakeholders and equitable benefit sharing under compliance and voluntary carbon markets

The BNN and its partners see the symposium as the first step in engagement and sharing of information, so that everyone can participate in discussions of carbon, carbon markets, and in the development of carbon policies. The NGOs and the civil society are now more empowered and willing to engage with the Government in the development of appropriate policies and legislation for carbon in Belize. Globally there are many efforts and established standards on how countries can benefit from and participate in carbon markets responsibly. The BNN expects that Belize will lead the way globally with these standards for the benefit our all Belizeans.
bnn carbon symposium
bnn carbon symposium
The BNN and its partners see the symposium as the first step in engagement and sharing of information, so that everyone can participate in discussions of carbon, carbon markets, and in the development of carbon policies. The NGOs and the civil society are now more empowered and willing to engage with the Government in the development of appropriate policies and legislation for carbon in Belize. Globally there are many efforts and established standards on how countries can benefit from and participate in carbon markets responsibly. The BNN expects that Belize will lead the way globally with these standards for the benefit our all Belizeans.

The BNN thanks all who contributed to the success of the event through participation, financial and/or in-kind support and expertise, especially the following organizations: The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, Pollination, Climate Law and Policy, Julian Cho Society, Oceana, American Sugar Refining, Inc./Belize Sugar Industries Ltd., Programme for Belize, Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, Belize Scouts Association, World Wildlife Fund, and Belize Maya Forest Trust.

Speakers

bnn carbon symposium

Senator Janelle Chanona

NGO Senator/Oceana Belize
NGO Senator/VicePresident

bnn carbon symposium

Maggie Comstock

Pollination
Director

Julio Alejandro Giraldo

The Nature Conservancy(TNC)
Carbon Markets Lead for Latin America

Fabiano Godoy

The Nature Conservancy(TNC)
Senior Technical Carbon Advisor

Florencia Guerra

Forest Department

Dr. Elma Kay

Belize Maya Forest Trust/ Belize
Network of NGOs
Managing Director/Chairwoman, BNN Board

Ana McMurray

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Forest Carbon Technical Advisor

Pablo Mis

Julian Cho Society/BENIC
Executive Director/ Climate Change Focal Point for BENIC

Roberto Pott

The Nature Conservancy(TNC)
Carbon Specialist

Edilberto Romero

Programme for Belize
Executive Director

Daryl Sabourin

ASR Group
Sr. Director, Sustainability

Leila Swan

Climate Law and Policy
Senior Legal and Policy Adviser

Video Presentations

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Introduction to Climate Change and Carbon / Carbon Markets (emissions reductions and restoration/removals)

View PDF Presentation

Developing and implementing voluntary
carbon projects: What it takes

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Carbon project experiences in the Greater Belize Maya Forest

View PDF Presentation A

View PDF Presentation B

The Belize National Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Program

View PDF Presentation

Integrating Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) to achieve Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

View PDF Presentation

Beyond REDD+: other private sector carbon credit opportunities

View PDF Presentation

Carbon rights

View PDF Presentation

Safeguarding carbon policy: a human
rights-based approach

View PDF Presentation

Different models for benefit sharing

View PDF Presentation

Key policy considerations and enabling conditions.