Green Economy, our role and responsibilities

THE world is constantly seeking to embrace what is considered a Green Economy, which to some extent has not been clearly defined to the Guyanese public, who are expected to participate and be involved in driving this programme to realisation.  In describing this initiative, the United Nations Economic Programme has developed a working definition which states that such an economy is one that results in “Improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.” In the simplest expression, a Green Economy includes low carbon, resource efficiency and is socially inclusive.
Tactically speaking, such as an economy is one whose growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiencies, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to be categorised and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes. This development path should maintain, enhance, and where necessary, rebuild natural capital as a critical economic asset and source of public benefit, especially for the poor whose livelihoods and security depend strongly on nature.
This requires a great shift in our developmental thrust and programme away from current application, where development is measured through growth in a country’s Gross Domestic Product. In the Green Economy, growth is measured by the reduction of poverty in the society. In fact, growth in this programme has at the centrepiece the development of a people-centred economy.
The message that is currently being received by the population gives the impression that Green Economy means planting trees and making the place green and this can be done under any circumstance. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
In pursuit of a Green Economy, a path has been established which recognises international conventions, charters, and the whole quest for Sustainable Development being pursued by respecting Rights and the Rule of Law. And it is for this reason the society needs to take note of the discussions that emanated from the Climate Change Conference in Paris, where conventions that govern the environment form the centrepiece in arresting potential environmental threats and disasters.
Guyana, conscious or unconsciously, in establishing its recent Cabinet appointed a new ministry under the name Ministry of Communities. This indicates that there is a view that the nation will not be concentrating only on delivering water, housing and roads, but making communities all-inclusive to the point where garbage collection and sewage disposal will be taken seriously in planning and development.  And given that there exists a Ministry of Tourism, it cannot operate in isolation from the Ministry of Communities that has responsibility for sewage and solid-waste management.
Georgetown, the nation’s capital, still disposes raw sewage into the Atlantic Ocean which is in breach of the Cartagena Convention (i.e. Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment in the Wider Caribbean Region) which was adopted in 1983 and came into force in 1986. Dumping raw sewage affects the environment, beaches, aquamarine and animal life.
Recently, the Minister of Tourism was reported as saying that the tourist industry needs money. In examining the current infrastructure, one will find that as there are talks about improving port facilities in Georgetown, the issues of public health by way of constructing waste-water treatment plants is not on the nation’s agenda.  Guyana is not a port of call for cruise ships, due to the absence of sewage- treatment plants for these ships to dump their waste.
This country has fallen behind. In 1968 when the TucVille housing development in Georgetown was built, a treatment plant was established at the area now known as Turning Point to address the waste of that community. Today this plant is not fully operational. At the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, there exists a treatment plant. There are major hotels with international reputations in this country that do not have treatment plants.
In pursuit of a Green Economy, these environmental issues will have to be tackled head-on. And it requires us starting now. Such acts must see the improvement of public health and the preservation of the environment. These will give support to the government in achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which has 17 goals and 169 targets to wipe out poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change over the next 15 years. There must also be action to realise the creation of new industries and decent jobs consistent with International Labour Organisation (ILO) Core Labour Standards.
In pursuit of the objective of a Green Economy, the responsibility is not only that of the government, but an all-inclusive initiative which brings together government, private sector, cooperative sector, trade unions and citizens at large.
As a solid waste programme in Georgetown is being tackled head-on, one will recognise the city council/private sector initiative is in implementing a system to have the streets swept at nights. In like manner, the treating of raw sewage requires a government/private sector initiative and city and national governments are urged to start constructive engagement with the current solid waste operators.
We, the stakeholders of Guyana, cannot sit on the sidelines and await an invitation from the government to participate in the process that leads to a Green Economy. We must impose ourselves at the decision-making table and call for serious discussions that would lead to planning, development and implementation, consistent with universal values and the given timelines.
To be continued….