The Pact Of Belize: Understanding The Country's Unique Name And History

In Belize, PACT stands for Protected Areas Conservation Trust. The Protected Areas Conservation Trust is a government agency that was established in 1996 and is responsible for the management and conservation of Belize's National Protected Areas System. PACT provides funding and support for various projects aimed at protecting and promoting Belize's natural and cultural resources, including its vast network of protected areas. These areas encompass forest reserves, nature reserves, national parks, marine reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and more.

PACT's role in conservation in Belize

PACT, the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, is a key player in conservation in Belize. Established in 1996, PACT is a statutory organisation and Belize's National Trust. It plays a crucial role in financing and supporting the conservation and management of the country's natural and cultural resources, with a focus on sustainability.

PACT has directly invested over $34 million in the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) of Belize, which encompasses a diverse range of protected areas, including forest reserves, nature reserves, national parks, marine reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and archaeological reserves. This investment has been instrumental in preserving Belize's rich biodiversity and natural heritage.

One of PACT's ongoing projects is the "Belize Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Project." This initiative aims to strengthen the climate resilience of the Belize Barrier Reef System by implementing priority ecosystem-based marine conservation and climate adaptation measures. PACT's role in this project underlines its commitment to protecting Belize's fragile marine ecosystems and addressing the impacts of climate change.

In addition to its financial contributions, PACT also engages in fiduciary roles for various agencies, including the World Bank, the Meso-American Reef Fund (MAR Fund), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This demonstrates PACT's ability to manage and distribute funds effectively, ensuring that conservation efforts in Belize are well-supported and coordinated.

PACT's work has been recognised as a bold and innovative strategy for non-traditional revenue generation, and it continues to play a pivotal role in preserving Belize's natural treasures, enhancing the quality of life for all Belizeans, and promoting sustainable development practices.

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust

PACT provides funds to support the conservation and environmentally sound management of Belize's natural and cultural resources, with the aim of fostering sustainable development. Projects can be funded in the following areas: Protected Areas Management and Conservation; Protected Areas Promotion and Development; Environmental Education and Awareness; and Community Development around Protected Areas.

PACT has evolved from a grant-funding mechanism to become the country’s accredited National Implementing Entity (NIE) of the Adaptation Fund and the Caribbean region’s second, and Belize’s first, National Direct Access Entity of the Green Climate Fund. The organisation has been engaged in fiduciary roles for agencies such as the World Bank, the Meso-American Reef Fund (MAR Fund), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Central American Commission for Development and Environment (CCAD), and the Belize Nature Conservation Foundation (BNCF).

In 2015, amended PACT legislation was passed, expanding PACT’s legal mandate to “setting strategic priorities for the development, mobilisation, and allocation of financial resources for the BNPAS” (Belize National Protected Areas System). In 2018, PACT transitioned from an annual competitive grants program to a Conservation Investment Program guided by a Conservation Investment Strategy. This new strategy took a long-term approach to responding to the needs of the BNPAS while supporting biodiversity and ecosystem protection, building financial sustainability, and expanding socio-economic benefits from Belize’s Protected Areas System.

PACT has committed to a $1.15 million investment in Belize’s Marine Reserve Network. It has also invested in projects such as the Billy Barquedier National Park to enhance management through improved biodiversity protection, the achievement of financial sustainability, and increased socio-economic benefits.

PACT's history and current day functions

PACT, the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, is a statutory organisation established in Belize in 1996. It is a government agency and the country's National Trust.

PACT's role is to provide funding for conservation and promote the environmentally sound management of Belize's natural and cultural resources to encourage sustainable development. The organisation has funded projects in areas such as protected areas management and conservation, environmental education, and community development around protected areas.

In 2021, PACT celebrated 25 years of supporting the management of the Belize National Protected Areas System. By that time, it had directly invested over $34 million in the national protected areas system. There are currently 103 protected areas in Belize, including forest reserves, nature reserves, national parks, and marine reserves.

PACT has evolved from a grant-funding mechanism to become the country's accredited National Implementing Entity (NIE) of the Adaptation Fund and the Caribbean region's second and Belize's first National Direct Access Entity of the Green Climate Fund. The organisation has also been engaged in fiduciary roles for agencies such as the World Bank, the Meso-American Reef Fund (MAR Fund), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

PACT's current projects include the "Belize marine conservation and climate adaptation project," which aims to strengthen the climate resilience of the Belize Barrier Reef System.

PACT's investment strategy

PACT stands for the Protected Areas Conservation Trust in Belize. PACT's investment strategy is focused on supporting and enabling stakeholders to work together for the management of Belize's natural resources and protected areas. This includes targeted investments, secondary investments, and extraordinary investments.

PACT's Conservation Investment Strategy aims to strengthen coordination and regulation of the Belize National Protected Areas System (BNPAS) by instituting a collaborative structure that efficiently mobilizes resources. The strategy targets 40 protected areas across Belize, which constitute approximately 60% of the National Protected Areas System. Through this investment, PACT aims to strengthen collaboration among protected area managers and co-managers, standardize methodologies for biodiversity monitoring and assessment, increase public awareness of the benefits of protected areas, accelerate the financial stability of co-managers, enhance species protection and climate change strategies, and strengthen the governance of public co-management entities.

PACT has also transitioned from an annual competitive grants program to a Conservation Investment Program, with a focus on 3-year strategic investments aimed at maximizing the value of conservation finance efforts. This new approach allows for additional capacity development for professionals in the field of conservation. As a result, PACT has received accreditation as a National Implementing Entity (NIE) for the Adaptation Fund and has become the first National Direct Access Entity of the Green Climate Fund in Belize.

PACT's funding and coordination of a resilient protected areas system

PACT, the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, is a statutory body established in 1996 as Belize's national financing mechanism for protected areas. It has directly invested over $34 million in the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) and provides additional indirect financial support. PACT's funding and coordination of a resilient protected areas system in Belize involve the following:

Funding Strategies

• Targeted Investments: PACT makes targeted investments in various conservation initiatives, including natural and cultural resource management, biodiversity protection, and community development around protected areas.
• Conservation Investment Program: In 2018, PACT transitioned from an annual competitive grants program to a long-term Conservation Investment Program guided by a Conservation Investment Strategy. This strategy aims to support biodiversity, ecosystem protection, financial sustainability, and socio-economic benefits from Belize's Protected Areas System.
• Climate Finance Portfolio: PACT has a dedicated Climate Finance Portfolio to address climate change-related projects, such as the "Belize marine conservation and climate adaptation project."
• Grants and Partnerships: PACT has established partnerships and provided grants to various organizations, such as the Community Baboon Sanctuary Women's Conservation Group, Steadfast Tourism and Conservation Association, and the Ministry of Labour, Local Government, and Rural Development.

Coordination and Management

PACT coordinates the management of Belize's National Protected Areas System (NPAS) through strategic partnerships and high-impact investments. They work with community-based organizations, investment partners, and the public to achieve their goals. PACT has also been engaged in fiduciary roles for agencies like the World Bank, the Meso-American Reef Fund (MAR Fund), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Resilience and Sustainability

PACT aims to enhance the resilience of Belize's protected areas by supporting biodiversity and ecosystem protection. They have invested in initiatives such as the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve and the Billy Barquedier National Park to enhance biodiversity protection and build financial sustainability. Additionally, PACT recognizes the importance of sustainable tourism, with over 60% of travellers visiting protected areas in Belize. By supporting conservation efforts and effectively managing these areas, they maintain the country's tourism product and contribute to sustainable development.

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