Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change in Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Policy and Practice: The Belize Experience Developing a national coastal plan for Conservation and Development using an integrated management approach
Vincent Gillett Disaster Risk Reduction Best Practices for Climate-Resilient Coastal Development Bridgetown, Barbados October 20-21, 2011
BELIZE’s Coastal & Marine Wealth
Ecosystem Services
Marine ecosystems provide a wide array of goods and services from which people benefit
COASTAL CAPITAL of BELIZE Economic Contribution of Belize’s Coral Reefs and Mangroves
Tourism: US$150-$196 million/yr
(snorkeling, diving, sport fishing, etc)
Fisheries: US$14-$16 million/yr
(lobster, conch, finfish, aquaculture)
Shoreline Protection: US$231-347 million/yr
(avoided damages via mangroves, coral reefs)
Source: Cooper, E., L. Burke and N. Bood. 2009. “Coastal Capital of Belize. The Economic Contribution of Belize’s Coral Reefs and Mangroves .” Working Paper, World Resources Institute.
Some Major Issues
Increasing population - 3/5 living along coast and cayes Expanding agriculture - sugar, citrus and bananas Increasing tourism - visitors increased from 77,970 in 1991 to 206,422 in 1999 Expanding aquaculture Dredging, land reclamation and mangrove clearance Waste disposal/pollution-sewage, solid waste,run-off of chemicals and sediments Climate change-bleaching Jurisdictional and Regulatory overlaps
CZM Evolving AutonomyAuthority & Institute
Concept paper (1990) on CZM Authority GEF/UNDP CZMP Project in 1993 Study on institutional arrangements in 1995Statuttory Body chosen CZM Act passed in April 1998 CZM Authority & Institute established in Jan. 1999 Advisory Council appointed Provision for CZM Plan/Policy Framework GEF Phase II Project in May 1999
About the Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute
Authority
Decision Making Policy Making Highest Level Coordination Advises Minister & Cabinet
Institute
Research Oriented Advisory Entity Participatory / Collaborators Extensive Consultation Supported by Advisory Council
A Coastal Zone Management Plan for Belize Key Components:
Development Suitability Guidelines Biological monitoring guidelines for species, communities and habitats Preservation and management of cultural resources Conservation of threatened, potentially threatened or endangered species Preservation of land and marine environs Increased public participation
A Coastal Zone Management Plan for Belize THEN…
Strong focus on the development & conservation of land mass on atolls and cayes Criteria used for recommended conservation and development areas subjective (expert advice)
NOW…
Emphasis on ecosystem-based management of both coastal and marine environs
Combination of objective science-based tool and expert advice is informing development and conservation areas
Climate change Impacts
InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs • • • • •
Multiple services and biodiversity Scenario-based analysis Biophysical and economic currencies Applicable globally with minimal data Relevant to many kinds of decisions
Modeling and valuing ecosystem services to inform the Belize Coastal Zone Management Plan
Tourism/recreation ●
snorkeling, diving, sport fishing, etc
Fisheries ●
lobster, conch, finfish
Shoreline protection ●
mangroves, corals, seagrasses
CONCEPTUAL APPROACH Incentives
Actions
Decisions Policy Public, private
Information
Distribution & quality Trade -offs &s
Value
ynerg i es
Economic
Jobs, livelihoods, aesthetic
Social, cultural, political
Species Habitats
Services
Production functions
Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute “Promoting the wise, planned use of Belize’s coastal resources”
Princess Margaret Drive, P.O. Box 1884 Belize City, Belize Tel: 223-0719/223-5739 Fax: 223-5738 Website: www.coastalzonebelize.org E-mail: ceoczmai@gmail.com