IN a major step to strengthen Guyana’s fight against coastal erosion, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), in partnership with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), has engaged international engineering firm, Haskoning, to design an innovative green-grey infrastructure solution for a heavily eroded section of the country’s shoreline at Dantzig and De Hoop, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
Green-grey infrastructure blends traditional engineered defences, such as seawalls and concrete dams, with nature-based solutions like mangrove and seagrass restoration. The approach is expected to accelerate coastal regeneration while safeguarding vulnerable communities against rising sea levels, erosion, and flooding.
According to a release from GGGI, Haskoning will lead the engineering design and technical support for the project, working alongside Deltares and local firm SRKN’gineering. Together, the team will support the restoration of approximately 120 hectares of shoreline in Region Five.
The initiative, funded by the Korea Forest Service (KFS), forms part of Guyana’s broader Coastal Resilience and Mangrove Restoration Project. Once the designs are finalised, GGGI and NAREI will begin implementing the hybrid coastal defence system, which is projected to: Directly benefit 500 residents in the Dantzig and De Hoop area; Protect 1,000 hectares of agricultural land from sea level rise; and contribute to the reduction of 1.12 million tons of CO₂ emissions over 25 years.
MANGROVES AS NATURAL DEFENCES
Kene Mosely, Coordinator of NAREI’s Mangrove Department, emphasised the importance of the project:
“Mangroves are not just trees, they are natural coastal defence systems, carbon sinks, and nurseries for marine life. Losing them means losing protection for our communities, biodiversity, and livelihoods,” Mosely said.
He noted that combining targeted mangrove restoration with green-grey engineering will deliver stronger coastal protection. “By integrating world-class technical expertise from Haskoning, Deltares, and SRKN’gineering with our local experience, this project is expected to deliver interventions that enhance coastal resilience for vulnerable communities,” he added.
SUPPORTING CLIMATE ADAPTATION GOALS
The project aligns with Guyana’s National Mangrove Action Plan 2022–2032, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, and national climate adaptation targets.
Daniel Munoz-Smith, GGGI’s Caribbean Representative, underscored the global significance of mangrove ecosystems:
“Mangroves are critical for preserving biodiversity, supporting coastal livelihoods, and building resilience to climate change. This project supports GGGI’s ongoing collaborations to pilot and scale nature-based approaches that can promote green sustainable economic growth. We are honoured to partner with NAREI and to support Guyana’s efforts on restoring and protecting these vital ecosystems,” he said.
As part of the preparatory phase, the partners will conduct a scoping exercise, field surveys, and stakeholder consultations with government agencies, civil society organisations, and local communities. An induction workshop will also be held to ensure all partners are aligned on project objectives, technical scope, methodology, and timelines.
More information about the project can be accessed at: https://gggi.org/project/coastal resilience-project-in-guyana/