National Adaptation Strategy to address Climate Change in the Water Sector in Belize.

The National Adaptation Strategy to address Climate Change in the Water Sector in Belize is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. Given the fact that freshwater is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment, this Strategy lays down actions to address the probable impacts of climate change on Belize’s water resources and integrates the fundamental water resources principles into the strategy.
A water agency will be established to be responsible for integrated water resources management in an integrated and comprehensive manner in order to ensure the coordinated, efficient and effective management of Belize’s water resources. The capacities of the National Meteorological Service and other technical agencies supporting water administration and management will be improved to gather reliable and accurate meteorological and hydrological information. In addition to that, monitoring networks will be expanded; water inventory and standards of quality will be established; a National Water Plan will be prepared and implemented; and laboratory resources will be consolidated to create a national water quality laboratory.
Furthermore, the policy and legislative framework will be strengthened to address the threats to the water sector by climate change. The legal mandate and operations of the National Climate Change Committee will be strengthened to facilitate the mainstreaming of climate change issues, including the water sector, into the national planning and financial processes. The trans-boundary relationships will be strengthened to cover the impacts of climate change on the water sector, covering five watersheds and an unknown quantity of aquifers which are shared with Mexico and Guatemala. Moreover, measures will be taken to reduce the negative impacts of agricultural activities and sewerage disposal on the quality of both surface and groundwater resources on both sides of the borders posing potential water situations between Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. To this end, the linkages between Belize, Guatemala and Mexico will be strengthened to identify areas of cooperation that can lead to the reduction in the degradation of the quality of water supplies, thus reducing the water sector vulnerability. Finally, public awareness-raising campaigns and education programs on water culture and climate change will be carried out which is of crucial importance in protection of Belize’s water resources.