3 weeks ago
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Belize has launched its new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), a list of actions that the country will take to keep with its commitments on the global climate change document, the Paris Agreement. The new NDCs were launched through a collaboration between the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management, through the National Climate Change Office (NCCO) on July 30. The NDCs outline actions Belize will take to reduce the country’s emissions of greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. They highlight reduction of emissions in key areas such as agriculture and energy, with ambitious targets such as a 63 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030. Today, Edalmi Pinelo, Chief Climate Change Officer at the NCCO, told us that the targets are doable, because of the collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Edalmi Pinelo, Chief Climate Change Officer, NCCO: “We are here to target and to reduce emissions by 6,284 kilotons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035. That will overseas our previous target which was 5,647 kilotons of carbon dioxide equivalent that was set for 2030 from our previous NDC. And then the other one is in the energy sector and we consider it the energy transition where we plan to install 100 megawatts of utility solar power and also 20 megawatts when it comes to wind by 2035. And in addition to that, when it comes to the energy sector, also to increase the transition of EV vehicles, both in the private and the public sector. And then when it comes to nature-based solutions, which includes the agriculture, forestry, and land use sector, which is our main area when it comes to balancing that emissions and removals. So we are focusing here to increase our carbon sequestration and also protecting our forests and coastal ecosystems. Every fraction that we can adjust that degree matters, especially when it comes to country like Belize, that is highly vulnerable to rising sea levels, strong storms, ecosystem loss, etc. So once we have this bold target and action in place, it sends out a signal that urges, you know, collective action that is possible and is necessary for us. So in order for us to have this collective fight against climate change you have to start somewhere.”
The NDCs also include outlines of financial strategies and monitoring mechanisms.
English (US) ·