Climate action guidelines 2022–2030: City of Belmopan, Belize

The city of Belmopan, built away from the coast during the second half of the twentieth century to ensure continuity of government functions even after severe storms, is an early example of climate adaptation. In the past 20 years, the city’s fast population growth, driven mostly by immigration, has strained services and infrastructure. Belmopan —the “garden city”— has ample green spaces and an overall negative carbon footprint, but faces challenges posed by climate change. The Climate action guidelines 2022–2030 respond to the need to address those challenges while contributing to Belize’s overall ambition, expressed in its nationally determined contribution (NDC). The guidelines aim to reduce Belmopan´s emissions, mainly by expanding green areas and forestation, promoting non-vehicular transportation and improving waste management. Adaptation will involve improving the city’s stormwater management system, prioritizing nature-based solutions, conducting risk assessments and enforcing zoning regulations to reduce population vulnerability. Implementing these guidelines will require the city to improve capacities at City Hall, revise regulations and create citizen awareness and engagement programmes.