Blue Bonds in Belize: A Case Study in Creative Finance for Conservation | The Future of Nature

Regenerative economics practices help countries with high national debt that are often unable to pay for improvements that support the health of their oceans. These creative financing solutions can make conservation at scale possible through a kind of public loan called a blue bond.

Through this place-based case study, students will learn about the Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation program that was put in place for Belize and how collaboration and compromise was leveraged to achieve both economic and ecological gains.

Through discussion questions, students will gain a better understanding of the economic topics of debt, loans, and refinancing. And optional activities give students the chance to step into the world of finance, and understand how various parties are working together to fund initiatives aiming to achieve large-scale conservation goals that also improve local livelihoods and national economies.

About the Author
Michelle Blanchet is the co-founder of The Educators’ Lab—an organization that supports teacher-driven projects that create impact for students and their communities. A former teacher herself, she has worked with a wide range of organizations to facilitate changemaking in education and support teacher innovation. She is the author of two books.