Power unlocked: Debt funds conservation, refugee brings solar to his camp

1. Belize

A vigorous model of debt restructuring is freeing up funds for marine conservation. Belize has long lacked resources for environmental protection, so it was a good candidate for the Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation, a financial mechanism pursued by The Nature Conservancy.

The plan allowed Belize to restructure $553 million of the country’s debt in 2021, and it is expected to generate $4 million annually for environmental protection over two decades. In exchange, Belize has committed to protecting a minimum