-says added conservation of forests to bolster economic growth

MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has declared that Government is committed to expanding on its predecessor’s attempt at crafting a low carbon development strategy (LCDS), thus it has moved to conserve a further two million hectares of rainforest, which would serve to bolster economic growth.Responding to criticisms from Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo that Government’s green strategy will not spur economic growth, Trotman said in a statement: “We intend to build a truly green economy, expanding on the previous government’s attempt at a low carbon development strategy (LCDS) to build a prosperous nation where all the Guyanese benefit from responsible stewardship of our national heritage.

“The world has changed, he said, “and the importance of the forests to mitigate climate change has created a new value for the country’s standing forest…by protecting the coastal conservancies and their watersheds, we protect our coastal farmers; conserving rivers’ headwaters will help us weather the droughts that we know will be a part of climate change,” he added.

Trotman predicted that President David Granger’s commitment to create protected areas for recreation and education in the 10 administrative regions will contribute to an improved quality of life for all Guyanese. He also stated that the expansion of Guyana’s National Protected Areas System (NPAS) would provide the basis for expanding nature-based tourism, one of the fastest growing industries in the world, and one in which Guyana has many competitive advantages.

Additionally, conservation of two million hectares not only helps Guyana to meet its commitments to emissions reduction under the Paris accords and the REDD+ agreement with Norway, but it also helps Guyana’s longstanding commitment to the United Nations (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), signed by Guyana in 1992 and ratified in 1994 with bipartisan support.

“We are currently one of the last nations in South America to meet the UNCBD commitment — to conserve 17% of our land area by 2020. If we include the Wai Wai community-owned conservation area at Konashen, we currently stand at 8.3% conserved. Two million additional hectares will get us to the 17% target,” Trotman declared.

Trotman said Government welcomes inclusivity in decision-making, and he urged the Opposition Leader to embrace his constitutional responsibility to nominate individuals to serve on the respective state boards for natural resources management.

“Unlike (what obtained in) the past, these boards are fully functional entities that have control and decision-making authority over their respective agencies and commissions. They also provide input on policy, and the Government of Guyana is fully respectful of their critical role and contribution,” Trotman said.

Responding, Mr Jagdeo said that while Minister Trotman has acknowledged that the Coalition Government intends to expand on the LCDS, he has not indicated how Government intends to so do.

Even if that were the Government’s intention, Jagdeo said, questions still remain regarding the absence of stakeholder consultations and the non-convening of the LCDS Steering Committee.

Moreover, Jagdeo questioned why there are no consultations on projects being funded from the LCDS.

“Persons are being hired in various Ministries, project funds are being spent etc. Instead of sharing more information on what is happening with the LCDS and the GRIF funds, there seems to be an effort to shut down information,” he declared.

“The LCDS website which had served as a central information clearing house on all matters regarding climate change, LCDS, and the Norway Partnership, has now been taken down,” Jagdeo stated.

Regarding the conservation effort, Mr Jagdeo said the public needs to know which areas have been identified, and whether the areas will take back lands from mining and forestry.

Further, Mr Jagdeo questioned Minister Trotman’s statement that the conservation of an additional two hectares of forest will help meet commitments under the Paris and Norway agreements.

“In fact, there was no requirement for Guyana to obligate itself to put two million hectares to conservation under any of these agreements,” Jagdeo declared.

“More importantly, were key national stakeholders in the forestry and mining sectors and indigenous peoples consulted before this commitment was made? Or was this being driven by external conservation interests?” Jagdeo questioned.

The Opposition Leader also said Minister Trotman had failed to explain how Guyana can meet the commitment to develop a 100% renewable power supply by 2025, even as he questioned Government’s commitment to inclusivity.

“Where was the inclusiveness when these commitments were made? Where is the inclusiveness in determining how the GRIF funds are being spent? Why is the LCDS Steering Committee not being convened?” Mr Jagdeo asked.

In regard to state boards, Mr Jagdeo said the way state boards are currently functioning clearly demonstrates that those have no control and decision-making authority over their respective agencies.

“Just one example is the case of the GuySuCo Board, which did not take the decision to close the Wales Estate,” Jagdeo said. He added that the PPP will not participate in “rubber-stamping exercises by state boards, which are inimical to the interest of Guyana.”