President wants use of Norway funds widened

THE government wants use of the remaining funds from Guyana’s forest-saving deal with Norway to be used for projects other than those envisaged when the US$250 million deal was struck in 2009. Some of the funds of the five-year deal are yet to reach Guyana, including US$80M that was locked into the Amaila Falls Hydro Project. A final decision on the future of the project is to be made by the end of June, or Guyana risks losing the funds; but the government is hoping that if the project is found not to be feasible, then the money could be used for other initiatives.
Speaking on his weekly “Public Interest” programme, President Granger opined that the initial plan by the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration was too narrow, since it focused mostly on the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), Land Titling and the generation of energy through the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.
“It is our view that the allocation was too narrow…,” the President posited.
Under his leadership, the President said the fight to mitigate global warming would go beyond the use of hydropower energy in Guyana. “We would like to look at Climate Change more broadly,” he said, while adding that major emphasis will be placed on reforestation of mined- out areas and the generation of energy utilising solar farms and wind power in addition to hydropower.
On the issue of deforestation, the President pointed out that the Potaro-Siparuni, Cuyuni-Mazaruni and the Barima-Waini Regions are severely affected by deforestation through mining. “Those areas are scarred, badly scarred and those are the priority candidates for reforestation…,” he said.
In addition to renewable energy and reforestation, recycling and coastal zone management will also be placed high on the agenda. “The previous plan did not include much about coastal zone management and that is an area of vulnerability, because as you know sea defences from time to time crack and salt water invades,” President Granger explained.
On Friday, Guyana signed on to the Paris Agreement and according to the President, the country will spare no effort to contribute to both a sustainable future and to an effective global response to climate change.
The Paris Agreement, reached on December 12, 2015, is the most ambitious international environmental agreement in modern history. It presents a historic opportunity for the global community to respond to the challenge of climate change in an appropriate manner.
Guyana has signed the agreement on account of its recognition of the need for resolute action to combat this challenge. “We will ensure the deposit of the instruments of ratification this year,” the President said, pointing out that Guyana is a net carbon sink. “Our forests sequester more carbon than the country’s human activities generate. Guyana, with the world’s second highest percentage of rainforest cover (85 per cent), commands important carbon stocks.
The country, nevertheless, is fully committed to contributing to limiting the rise in global temperature to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“Guyana intends to implement initiatives in the forest and renewable energy sectors, including through the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) Plus programme.
“We will move closer towards a 100 per cent renewable power supply by 2025, conditional on appropriate support and adequate resources.
“Our proposed commitments through avoided emissions can contribute the equivalent of up to 48.7 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide to the global mitigation effort.
“Guyana is prepared to sustainably manage, conserve and protect our national patrimony, and place our ecological resources at the service of humanity,” President Granger said.

(Svetlana Marshall)

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