Northern Fishermen Co-operative society Ldt.
600 t
LOBSTER & CONCH PRODUCED IN 2024
0.84
kgCO₂eq/kg PROCESSING & DISTRIBUTION
60+
YEARS SERVING BELIZE’S ARTISANAL FISHERMEN
48%
ISO 14064-1:2018 STANDARD APPLIED
Overview
Northern Fishermen Co-Operative Society Ltd. (NFC) represents a pioneering effort to introduce systematic carbon accounting and climate action within Caribbean fisheries value chains. Established over six decades ago, the cooperative operates as Belize’s premier producer-owned processor and distributor, serving a network of artisanal fishermen throughout the country. In 2025, NFC achieved Carbon Measured certification through Green Initiative under ISO 14064-1:2018 standards, establishing its first comprehensive carbon footprint baseline for Caribbean Spiny Lobster and Queen Conch operations. The cooperative maintains headquarters and processing facilities in Belize City, with strategic landing sites across Belize including a critical node at Caye Caulker.
Challenge
As a cooperative of artisanal fishermen, NFC faced a structural challenge: capture operations are conducted by independent member fishermen who procure fuel through decentralized channels without systematic tracking. NFC needed to quantify its organizational footprint within these constraints, establish a credible ISO-aligned baseline, and create a replicable framework for Caribbean cooperative fisheries — transparently documenting data limitations as part of the methodology.
GI's Approach
Green Initiative conducted a full assessment under ISO 14064-1:2018, covering all directly quantifiable sources: electricity for processing and cold storage, owned vehicle fuel, air conditioning, product distribution, paper, water, and solid waste. Where capture emissions could not be directly measured, GI applied the regional NFPCS benchmark to produce a conservative estimated complete intensity — establishing a replicable methodology for Caribbean cooperative fisheries.
Carbon Footprint — Key Findings
80.04%
of total emissions from electricity consumption for processing and refrigeration — the dominant source across the operation
10.12%
Scope 1 emissions from owned vehicles and A/C equipment — excludes capture operations conducted by independent member fishermen
9.85%
Scope 3: product distribution, paper, water, and solid waste — a notably low share reflecting efficient logistics via maritime shipping
Data gap
Capture operations: independent member fishermen procure fuel through decentralized channels — documented transparently as a replicable model for Caribbean cooperatives
"“Northern Fishermen Cooperative’s leadership in carbon accounting demonstrates that environmental responsibility and economic viability advance together in sustainable seafood value chains — contributing to broader Blue Economy development and climate change mitigation goals throughout the Caribbean.”"
GI Services Deployed
