Belize
How the High Seas Treaty Impacts Climate Change and Biodiversity
Belize became the first Caribbean country to ratify the agreement, helping push the historic ocean governance treaty into force. By Climate Spotlight The first legally binding treaty covering international ocean zones came into force on January 17, 2026. The purpose of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement, also called the “ocean” or “high seas” treaty, […]
Climate Spotlight StaffBelize
Belize moves to pass its first Carbon Market Bill
By Marco Lopez On November 20, 2025, the Climate Change and Carbon Market Initiative Bill, 2025, was read for the second and third time in the House of Representatives. The bill now moves to the Senate for final approval before it is enacted and gazetted as law. According to a release issued by the Ministry […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Belize
Study finds important Nassau grouper spawning site in Belize near collapse
By Marco Lopez HOPKINS, Belize — The Nassau grouper is drawn by the winter moon, between December and March, to special places where hundreds of the cryptic fish engage in a reproductive dance that sometimes lasts days. Northeast Point at Glover’s Reef Atoll, off the coast of southern Belize, is one of those places. The […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Belize
Unpacking the Belize Fund for A Sustainable Future: A Unique Custodian for Marine Protection
By Marco Lopez – Editor-in-Chief, Climate Spotlight When Jose Oliva hopped on the sailboat crewed and captained by sea-hardened northern fishermen, I got the sense that the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future (Belize Fund) was the real deal. The fishermen were not so happy about not receiving some funds to help support their livelihoods […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Belize
Assigned Bus Seating Begins August 15
by AndrĂ© Habet Climate Spotlight received a screenshot copy of a memo (shared below) from the Belize Bus Owner’s Cooperative (BBOC) dated August 5 stating, among other things, that assigned ticket seating will be enforced starting August 15. Coming from the Secretary of BBOC, Miriam Balona, the memo refers to a formal letter sent by […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Belize
Building climate resilience in San Pedro, Belize: A community-driven approach
By Kyle Ali – Climate Spotlight Staff Writer AMBERGRIS CAYE, San Pedro, April 12, 2025 – Building the capacity of residents of coastal communities to respond to the growing pressures of climate change is key to fostering meaningful climate action. On April 9, in San Pedro, local and national experts converged to blend their voices […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Belize
Equilibrium Research Working on Roadmap for Marine Protected Areas in Belize
By Marco Lopez and Andre Habet BELMOPAN, Wed. Feb., 26, 2025 UK-based Equilibrium Research is no new kid on the block when it comes to crafting plans for protected areas. They’ve worked internationally for 35 years. Nigel Dudley, conservation ecologist, admits that Belize’s protected areas governance landscape is one of the most unique he’s seen. […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Belize
Code Red in the Blue
Data produced by the Belize Fisheries Project (BFP) shows that 17 of 20 commercial fish species are overexploited. The fisheries scientist who created that stock assessment methodology which the Fisheries Department still uses, confirms this. Information delivered under the Freedom of Information Act fails to verify the Fisheries Department’s claims of sustainable commercial fish stocks. […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Belize
The Cost of Fishing
“The Cost of Fishing” by AndrĂ© Habet follows the Lopez family, a three-generation fishing household from Sarteneja, Belize, as they navigate the challenges of lobster fishing. Through an immersive journey with the Lopezes, the story explores the concept of fishing effort—the labor, resources, and gear required to sustain their livelihood. Fishing effort proves to be […]
Climate Spotlight Staff Belize
Belmopan host successful citizen’s parade
By Andre Habet Despite initial heat concerns leading to a route change, Belmopan citizens and students enthusiastically gathered to commemorate Belize’s 43rd Independence Day.
Climate Spotlight Staff 
