In March, Belize received its Technical Assessment Report (TAR) from UNFCCC reviewers following the review of its modified Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL).  

The country is currently waiting its publication by the UNFCCC. Once published, Belize can submit its REDD+ Results and received verified emission reductions from UNFCCC. In parallelBelize has finalized its results in the REDD+ Technical Annex and is expected to be officially submitted in April. 

Belize’s rainforests are of global importance for both biodiversity conservation and climate regulation. They function as a major carbon sink—storing more than 13 million metric tons of carbon in the Maya Forest alone—and form part of the approximately 37millionacre Selva Maya, one of the largest remaining tropical forest systems in the world.  

These forests safeguard threatened species such as jaguars and tapirs, regulate water cycles, and provide vital ecosystem services, supported by the fact that more than 40% of Belize’s land area is formally protected. 

From January onward, CfRN has been supporting Belize to develop its REDD+ Results submission to be independently verified by the roster of experts from UNFCCC. The CfRN team has been working closely with Belize’s Forest Department under the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management, under the head of the department, Mr. John Pinelo, Acting Chief Forest Officer to strengthen how they measure, report, and track forest-related emissions under the UNFCCC. 

CfRN’s current support aims to build the long-term capacity in Belize, so the country can confidently lead and sustain its own climate reporting processes.  

Moving forward, CfRN will help with the next data collection campaign for Belize’s forests, called a Mapathon. This work will include reviewing protocols as well as training new interpreters. An in-country mission to Belize by the CfRN team will happen in Q2.