TOWARDS CLIMATE-RESILIENT COASTAL MANAGEMENT: OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVED ICZM IN BELIZE CHANTALLE SAMUELS Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre
VULNERABILITY OF BELIZE s COASTAL ZONE TO CLIMATE CHANGE Coral bleaching episodes in 1995, 1998, 2005, 2008, 2009, etc. Endemic reef species will migrate to cooler, more favorable environments for their survival Sea level rise is already causing salt water intrusion in coastal aquifers Heavy rainfall episodes have produced frequent and intense floods resulting in huge quantities of silt flowing into the sea and extending out to the reef Impacts to productive sectors (agriculture, tourism, fisheries, etc.) Several coastal communities located in vulnerable, low-lying coastline
CZMAI s MANDATE CZM Authority Advise the Minister on matters related to the development and utilization of coastal resources Advise Minister on formation of policies in regard to the coastal zone Foster national, regional and international collaboration in the use of marine and other related environment Review the Coastal Zone Management Plan and make recommendations to the Minister Commission research and monitoring in coastal areas Promote public awareness of the importance of the coastal zone Assist in preparation of guidelines for developers for coastal zone development Cooperate with government departments, statutory boards, non government organization and private sector on matters related to the coastal zone Prescribe fees for use of natural resources within the coastal zone CZM Institute Conduct research and development of marine environment Maintain data center for information and research related to the coastal zone Provide information to CZM Authority (as required) Organize training courses and projects to foster regional and international collaboration Maintain coastal monitoring program Assist with preparing ICZM Plan Promote public awareness and sharing of information on sustainable use and management of coastal resources
KEY MESSAGE #1 Mainstreaming coastal zone management and climate change adaptation strategies into a national growth and sustainable development planning framework is a very useful strategy for facilitating action at the highest level of government, translating climate risks into investment-relevant language, etc.
PRIORITIES AND COMMITMENTS of BELIZE s Government GOB will continue the sustainable management of Belize s coastal zone and protected areas system with the aims of building climate resilience, ensuring water and food security, reducing disaster risk, and preserving Belize's natural and cultural heritage o Implement the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZMP), including the development of a marine spatial plan o Continued mainstreaming of climate change considerations into national development planning
Belize ICZM Plan Framework STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1: To ensure the sustainable use of resources within the coastal zone 1.1 Coastal Research & Monitoring 1.2 Protected Areas 1.3 Mangrove Protection 1.4 Coastal Habitat & Species Conservation 1.5 Fisheries Management 1.6 Coastal Agriculture 1.7 Aquaculture & Mariculture 1.8 Minerals Extraction & Energy Development STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2: To supporting integrated planning & management STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: To build alliances for the benefit of Belizeans 2.1 Coastal Area Planning & Development 2.2 Coastal Population & Growth 2.3 Coastal Vulnerability 2.4 Beach & Shoreline Management 2.5 Marine Traffic 2.6 Marine Pollution Control 2.7 Tourism & Recreation 2.8 Marine Dredging 2.9 Disaster Risk Management 2.10 Cultural Heritage Conservation STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4: To adapt to adverse impacts Climate Change in the coastal zone 3.1 Education, Awareness & Communication 3.2 Collaboration in Enforcement & Monitoring 3.3 Supporting Sustainable Coastal Economies 3.4 A National Network for Managing the Coast 4.1 Socio-ecological Vulnerability & Resilience 4.2 Socio-economic Adaptation Capacity 4.3 Prioritization of Ecosystem-based Adaptation 4.4 Governance as a Tool for Building Resilience
KEY MESSAGE #2 Determine key policy instruments that support/hinder your country s progress in achieving CZM objectives that would support climate resilience. Identify and prioritize the necessary policy reforms for integration into national policy.
CZMAI INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT & LEGISLATIVE REFORM
KEY MESSAGE #3 The natural and built environments that underpin a broad range of economic activities in Belize s productive sector are highly vulnerable to climate change. While it is important to identify areas of highest vulnerability that can be prioritized for adaptation actions, it is even better to seek out and manage those areas with the greatest potential for resilience.
Opportunities for Climate-Compatible Coastal Tourism Map of Tourism System and Relative Vulnerability of Coastal Tourism Areas M. Fish et al., 2016, Vulnerability analysis and climate adaptation opportunities for Belize s coastal tourism system, Journal of Sustainable Tourism
KEY MESSAGE #4 While data is critical to inform planning and decision making, use the best available data, including local knowledge. However, continuous efforts should be made towards acquiring critical downscaled climate datasets, updating data inventories using available low-cost technologies, and establishing useful platforms for sharing of information.
INVENTORY OF HUMAN USES IN THE COASTAL ZONE Under MCCAP, CZMAI s Data Centre is developing an inventory of land use within the coastal zone that includes building footprints data, which will serves as a baseline of development activities to monitor adherence to ICZM spatial zoning scheme and management guidelines. To develop the inventory, CZMAI s Data Centre applied four steps: 1. Aerial imagery and Drone-captured still imagery are used to assist in planning and zoning the planning regions for further analysis, 2. Digitization of parcels, boundaries, buildings and piers in the planning regions is conducted using ArcGIS, Arc Map, Google Earth Pro; 3. Ground-truthing is conducted to validate data captured from aerial survey/drones; 4. Data gathered is manipulated and processed to produce meaningful spatial data.
KEY MESSAGE #5 Working in partnership and building sustained relationships can help facilitate necessary coordination and integrated approach for planning and decision-making. This is relevant in local, national, regional, and global contexts.
KEY PARTNERS FOR LAND-USE PLANNING/DATA SHARING Lands and Surveys Department Less site inspections needed Reduces time for Valuation Section to process Applications National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) Prioritize special attention areas before disasters (Planning & DRM) Rapid assessment after Natural Disasters Assists in prioritizing recovery efforts in highly affected areas Urban Development Planning Building Codes (Central Building Authority) Zoning (e.g. Residential, Commercial & Industrial Areas) Disaster Planning (ex. Flood-prone Areas) Public Utilities (Electricity, Telephone/Internet, Water)
+00 123 456 Address 12, City Country (CO) www.website.com emailcontact@mail.com