Climate Resilient Food Systems Alliance: Belize Case Study

Global climate change is one of Belize's most serious threats to sustainable development. Impacts experienced in the country to date include sustained droughts, floods, increased coastal erosion and changing precipitation patterns. Combined, these climate changes and related phenomena significantly impact many environmental, physical, social and economic systems within the country. Belize is vulnerable to hurricanes, storms and associated flooding, wind damage, and storm surge, especially in Belize City. The country's low-lying terrain exacerbates the effects of flooding and sea level rise. More than 50 percent of the population and business centres are on or near the long, low-lying coastline, most of which are at or near sea level.

The Climate Resilient Food Systems (CRFS) Alliance initiated a set of country case studies to advance its work. The case studies provide proactive engagement with the countries while also providing opportunities for the alliance to gather lessons, challenges, opportunities and good practices in providing and coordinating support. The case studies and support thereof will draw upon existing national policies, frameworks, plans and strategies.

The case studies entail the following general set of steps:

• Identifying key issues related to climate-resilient food systems and possible actions to be implemented by the alliance;
• Designing and implementing activities, drawing upon existing activities from the members of the alliance and other stakeholders;
• Monitoring, evaluation and learning.

This case study on Belize includes an analysis of the country’s agrifood system, a risk assessment, landscape of climate, agriculture, and food system policies, priority actions in climate and food systems, as well as needs and gaps for implementation.