CURRENTLY, there are over 500 projects underway in indigenous villages across Guyana, funded by the US$37.5 million REDD+ carbon credits scheme. Forests remain essential to Guyana’s low-carbon strategy and execution, as evidenced by the country’s ’s national carbon credit programme.

In a briefing of Guyana’s Carbon Credit Programme and Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030) at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), the Vice President of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, shared Guyana’s progress on the implementation of the LCDS and the rollout of the carbon credits programme.

Vice President Jagdeo stated, at the briefing, that the 2009 Norway-Guyana Partnership had given the country important information.

“We proposed developing a model to demonstrate that all the concerns brought up by the developed world, in particular the incorporation of forests, can be incorporated into a mechanism based on market forces and that there are a number of areas that require additional development at the UNFCCC level,” he underscored. It is expected that progress on that matter will be made during successive UNFCCC Conferences of Parties.

According to the Vice President, the national carbon credit plan is already being swiftly implemented at the village level.

He mentioned that the first distribution from the sale of carbon credits was made to Native American tribes in February 2023, and the funds were deposited into special village bank accounts. Following this, the villages developed their own village plans and determined which areas should receive priority investments.

“We’re seeing the implementation of over 500 projects this year in Indigenous communities using a model where community involvement is central… In fact, we’re building capacity in these villages to ensure this,” the Vice President underscored.

Dr. Jagdeo further emphasised that, by supporting leaders with the tools they need to ensure sustainability and efficient project management, as well as by resourcing them in their efforts to enhance their communities, capacity is being established to manage projects efficiently.

According to the Vice President, “it is a very important task for us now and in the future, as more and more funds go into these villages, not only through the LCDS 2030 but directly through the central government… Capacity-building to manage projects and to account for finances is more important, and I have seen the growth of that in these villages.”

The National Toshaos Council (NTC) Chairman, Derrick John, along with Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources; Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Amerindian Affairs; Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture; and Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President overseeing Finance, were present at the briefing.

At a previous press conference in September 2023, Dr. Jagdeo told the audience that Guyana has been receiving a sizable income from the sale of its carbon credits. These grants are intended for significant projects pertaining to development and adaptation in Guyana’s hinterland area.

“All the resources are channelled through a designated account that follows all required legislative processes.”

Additionally, he detailed the allocation of revenues, stating that 15 percent would benefit Amerindian Villages directly and that the remaining 85 percent would mostly support efforts to adapt to climate change. “So, the 15 percent that goes to the indigenous people, they will have management responsibility for that. And of the 85 percent for 2023 that remains, we said we want to use it mainly for adaptation in this current period,” he noted.

Dr. Jagdeo also added that Guyana’s devotion to combating climate change and advancing sustainable development in the area is exemplified by Guyana’s accelerated implementation of the LCDS 2030.

The Vice President continued by providing details on the specific projects that will receive the eighty-five percent allocation. These projects encompass the enhancement of canal systems, revitalisation of koker networks, and strengthening of water management capabilities in different regions.

(This is part of a weekly series on LCDS) The author can be contacted at cparkinson0206@gmail.com