Draft GSDS nears approval
Consultants, Dr Patrick Williams, Patsy Ross and Andrew Bishop during the event on Monday.
Consultants, Dr Patrick Williams, Patsy Ross and Andrew Bishop during the event on Monday.

THE draft framework for the government’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) is expected to be approved in the months ahead as a full-fledged policy document.
This was disclosed by consultant, Andrew Bishop, on Monday during a media workshop hosted by the Department of Environment (DoE) at Parc Rayne, Rahaman’s Park, East Bank Demerara.

A section of the participants at the event.
(Adrian Narine photos)

The workshop, which focused on the RIO Mainstreaming Project, was aimed at sensitising media operatives on the Rio conventions and the project and to gear them to be proactive in the coverage of environmental issues.
Bishop, a former Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) told the gathering during his presentation that from the standpoint of policies and strategies, the framework of the GSDS includes key provisions in the energy and forestry sectors that would control emissions.

He said it is expected to be approved in the months ahead as a full-fledged policy roadmap. Other plans, such as the Climate Resiliency and Strategy Action Plan which is being prepared under the Office of Climate Change, are still being reviewed to ensure alignment with the national plan, Bishop said.
In terms of Guyana’s reporting obligations to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC), he said in forestry sector, inventory of greenhouse gases is ongoing.

In that process, satellite imagery is used and remote sensing techniques is being undertaken to map a carbon stock of the forest. Following this, the emissions can be calculated.

Bishop said effort is also underway to mainstream the conventions with national processe, starting with National Forest Plan, since it cross-cuts all the conventions.
The GSDS framework document represents a roadmap for Guyana’s development along a reduced emissions pathway and builds on the successes of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and several other national documents such as the Nationally Determined Contributions, Climate Resilience Strategy Action Plan (CRSAP), Draft National Energy Policy and National Adaptation Strategy for the Agriculture Sector (2009 -2018).
Nationwide consultations and stakeholders’ feedback will guide the development of the seven major themes of the strategy. These are: green inclusive, structural transformation; sustainable management of natural resources; transition towards renewable energy; resilient infrastructure and spatial development; human development and well-being; governance and institutional foundations; and international cooperation, trade and investment.
The DoE is working with other governmental and non-governmental entities on a massive education and awareness campaign to raise awareness of the framework document.

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