Climate investments in developing states to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change has been increasingly spread thin as the frequency and severity of natural disasters has been increasing over the last decades. Improving the management of natural resources is essential in combating the impacts of climate change, especially in high-risk areas. Coupled with improving the livelihoods of the most vulnerable populations, improved management of PAs can be sustained beyond the investments from International Financing Institutions or the private sectors, when there is harmony between people and the environment. Belize is ranked 9th in the list of 38 countries in Latin American and the Caribbean, in being vulnerable to climate change, emphasizing the level of investment that the country needs to address climate change. Balancing development and protection of natural resources has been challenging for Belize, yet the country has maintained over ½ of its total area with some type of forest cover.

This Project seeks to improve the management of PAs through strategic interventions in PA management, sustainable and regenerative use of natural resources, improved livelihoods of communities, communication, financial sustainability, and climate resilience. This project has an almost balanced mitigation and adaptation impacts, supporting adaptive livelihoods and capacity develop of stakeholders and mitigation the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from PAs by enhancing the net carbon sink of Belize, making this a cross-cutting project.

The Project Preparation support will allow for a feasibility study on the proposed Project Components, the environmental and social risk assessment, the gender assessment of the impact of the Project activities, the financial and investment strategy for PAs and associated buffer communities and the development of the Full Funding Proposal for submission to GCF. Associated Action Plans will also be developed where applicable to ensure that the proposed deliverable have an informed and structures approach for their implementation.

PPF support from the GCF is sought to fill in gaps in terms of information, stakeholder consultations and assessment of potential adaptation options, and to develop the full Funding Proposal.