November 1, 2024
Belmopan, Belize — On Tuesday, October 29th, 2024, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and the Government of Belize signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to initiate a Project Preparation Facility (PPF) valued at BZ$ 2 million (equivalent to US$1M). The signing, which took place at the Ministry of Economic Development’s conference room, will support the development of a Green Climate Fund (GCF) funding proposal entitled Building Climate Resilience in the Water and Wastewater Systems of North Ambergris Caye (CReWS-NAC), a critical initiative aimed at increasing climate resilience in Belize’s water and wastewater systems.
This preparation facility will span a period of 18 to 24 months, with a focus on transforming the water infrastructure of North Ambergris Caye into a climate-resilient, low-carbon system that will support sustainable water supply, wastewater treatment, and resource management across the region.
During the signing ceremony, Executive Director of the CCCCC, Colin Young (PhD) called the moment, “historic”, noting that is the first time a CARICOM government is using its resources to catalyse, expedite and speed up the access to climate finance. “This is a very historic occasion, where the Government of Belize and the CCCCC are signing an MOU that would govern the use of the resources to help it prepare a funding proposal for submission to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) that would leverage between USD40-50 million to undertake this project – the AC-CREWS on the island of Ambergris Caye.”
This project is one of many in the pipeline for Belize, complementing the numerous initiatives already benefiting the government and people through the CCCCC.
Signing on behalf of the Government of Belize was Hon. Andre Perez, Belize’s Minister of the Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management who remarked, “What we are signing here today is not only historical, but it is important, vital, and critical for the island of Ambergris Caye as we move towards its future sustainable development, especially in the tourism sector”.
If the Project receives approval from the GCF, it will deliver Enhanced Water and Wastewater Systems that ensure sustainable management of potable and non-potable water resources, low-carbon, climate-resilient water and wastewater operations that demonstrate the practical application of renewable energy and climate-smart technologies and improved water governance and demand management across households, businesses, and decision-makers, fostering a resilient water sector for Ambergris Caye.
This MOU represents a vital step in Belize’s pathway to climate resilience and sustainable development, as the CCCCC and the Government of Belize work together to advance water security and environmental stewardship of Ambergris Caye.
