Against a backdrop of growing global climate vulnerability, small Central American nation Belize has taken a historic step to embed climate action into its national legal framework, advancing its long-term vision for equitable, low-carbon sustainable development.
On June 18, 2026, Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam signed the Climate Change and Carbon Market Initiatives Act 2026 – the country’s first ever comprehensive piece of climate legislation – with the law officially gazetted two days later, bringing it into formal effect. This landmark legislation establishes a clear, structured governance system for Belize’s national climate policy and its participation in the fast-growing global carbon market.
Key provisions of the new law include bolstering the institutional capacity of Belize’s Climate Change Department, strengthening national inter-agency coordination on climate initiatives, and mandating standardized, transparent climate impact reporting. Critically, the act also sets out unambiguous regulatory guidelines for carbon offset projects, including strict protocols for benefit sharing, progress tracking, and accountability to ensure local communities see tangible gains from carbon market activity.
Speaking on the new legislation, Minister of Sustainable Development Orlando Habet emphasized that the framework equips Belize to take full ownership of its domestic climate agenda, rather than relying on external direction. It paves the way for the country to pursue intentional low-emission economic growth across all sectors, from tourism to agriculture, while guaranteeing that revenue and opportunities generated through carbon market participation directly benefit Belizean citizens.
With the core legal structure now in place, the government’s focus has shifted to implementation. In the coming months, officials will develop supporting secondary regulations, build out digital monitoring and reporting systems, and foster collaborative partnerships with local communities, the private sector, civil society organizations, and international development stakeholders to roll out the law’s provisions across the country.