This is an edited version of this original article by UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre.

Belize is better placed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the country’s transport sector, following a training workshop on monitoring and evaluation for experts from various government ministries.

The workshop is part of the ICAT project in Belize, which is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector – a critical area for achieving the country’s climate goals. The workshop and project is being implemented by UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre, on behalf of ICAT.

The three-day workshop, held in August focused on monitoring, reporting and verification in the transport sector. As the sector is responsible for 64 per cent of Belize’s greenhouse gas emissions, the training aimed to ensure that Belize has the capacity to collect the data necessary to analyze potential emission reductions from climate action in the transport sector, and to report on the country’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.

With assistance from ICAT and its implementing partner UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre, Belize is developing transparent data and robust methodologies, crucial for driving effective climate action and transition towards a low-carbon economy.

Data collection and effective climate action

Belize’s partnership with ICAT and UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre began in 2019 with the first phase focused on addressing gaps hindering climate change data capture and monitoring.  The second phase is supporting the operationalization of the national online climate change measurement reporting and verification platform, and enhancement of sectoral sub-national and non-state actor level support and integration. 

The current training activities in Belize build on the work in phase one, and also include extensive training in the use of the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Cost Model (GACMO) –  designed to help countries assess the most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Looking ahead, ICAT with the support of UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre will continue to support Belize in the country’s efforts to both report on and meet its commitments to the Paris Agreement.