Belize Audubon Society News

The Belize Audubon Society launched  An Environmental Agenda for Belize 2008 – 2013 on Earth Day of this year. The Environmental Agenda is a document that focuses on key environmental issues and presents an analysis of the issues, identifies major concerns and most importantly, makes environmental policy recommendations for the Government of Belize’s consideration in the development of a National Environmental Agenda.

As  pressures on our natural resources increase, the urgent need to institute changes in our natural resources management framework is at its greatest. The Belize Audubon Society calls on the political parties to provide their commitment to consider the environmental policy recommendations within the Environmental Agenda. Further to that, BAS will implement initiatives to create awareness and educate the Belizean people and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community based organizations (CBOs) on the issues within the Environmental Agenda document. Initiatives will also be undertaken to mobilize key groups to advocate for environmental policy changes.

As pressures on our natural resources increase, the urgent need to institute changes in our natural resources management framework is at its greatest.

There is significant history and advocacy milestones in the Environmental Agenda document as it has been a key advocacy tool for the Belize Audubon Society, with two Agendas having been produced. In 1998, the Belize Audubon Society charted the way for the mainstreaming of environmental issues in the political campaign platform through the production of the “Environmental Charter” - a environmental agenda for Belize – and advocating for the adoption of the agenda with political parties contesting the general elections. When the manifestos were published in 1999, for the first time, the environment was one of the elaborated platforms as one of the parties adopted several of the recommendations presented within the “Environmental Charter” and presented their proposed national environmental agenda.

Prior to the 2003 general elections, in 2002, BAS once again promulgated key environmental issues recommendations in an environmental agenda under the title of “An Environmental Agenda for the 21st Century and Beyond.” Both parties adopted and adapted recommendations from within the Environmental Agenda proposed by BAS in their manifestos.

The Belize Audubon Society acknowledges the contributions and support of many partners in the development of the Environmental Agenda document including the local technical experts who developed the various sections, the Board and staff of BAS and the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Download the full report here:
An Environmental Agenda for Belize 2008 – 2013(PDF 1.33MB)