Belize’s partnership with ICAT and UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre began in 2019 and aimed to address gaps and barriers that were hindering climate change data capture and monitoring. In turn, this affected Belize’s ability to effectively track its commitments made under the Paris Agreement and ultimately, its ability to meet its reporting requirements. 

The country’s first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2015 outlined mitigation opportunities across multiple sectors. However, at the time, ways to measure and track NDC progress were lacking, with no comprehensive measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) framework in place. Tracking NDC implementation is essential to manage progress and eventually monitor the achievement of targets. It provides a key basis for preparing NDC updates when they are due. The development of a national MRV framework was a key focus of the ICAT project.