NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY AND ACTION PLAN 2020-2030

DRAFT 2.0 MAY 14, 2019

DEVELOPED BY DR. KALIM SHAH, CONSULTANT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE, MINISTRY OF THE PRESIDENCY, GUYANA

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ACRONYMS .................................................................................................. 7

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................. 10

SECTION A: .............................................................................................................. 13

THE POLICY CONTEXT AND APPROACH ................................................................... 13

1.0 THE NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE CONTEXT ................................................ 14

1.1 CLIMATE CHANGE IS ALREADY BEING EXPERIENCED ......................................... 14

1.2 GUYANA IS PARTY TO INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS .............................. 16

1.3 NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................... 19

1.4 THE MAKING OF A GREEN STATE ......................................................................... 20

1.5 LEVERAGING THE COMING OIL AND GAS REGIME ............................................... 22

2.0 POLICY VISION, GOALS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES ........................................ 23

2.1 INTENDED OUTCOMES ....................................................................................... 25

3.0 POLICY STRUCTURE, USE AND INTERPRETATION ......................................... 26

Figure 1: Need for and Approach to Design of the National Climate Change Policy &

Action Plan 2030 ..................................................................................................... 27

Figure 2: Conceptual Map Summary of the National Climate Change Policy and

Action plan 2020-2030 ............................................................................................ 29

3.1 BOUNDARIES OF THE NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY AND ACTION PLAN

2020-2030 .......................................................................................................................... 30

SECTION B: .............................................................................................................. 31

POLICY DIRECTIVES AND ACTION PLANS ................................................................. 31

4.0 THE POLICY DIRECTIVES ................................................................................ 32

4.1 CORE AND SECTOR ACTION PLANS AND LINKS TO NATIONAL PLANS AND

REPORTING ....................................................................................................................... 33

4.2 ADAPTATION......................................................................................................... 36

4.2.1 ............................................................................................................................... 36

POLICY DIRECTIVE 1: Establish climate resilient infrastructure and physical development 36

Policy Objective 1.1: Build and retrofit green towns, settlements, urban and, rural

centers and critical infrastructure. .............................................................................. 36

Policy Objective 1.2: Reduce disaster and hazard risks that jeopardize productivity and

livelihoods. ................................................................................................................. 39

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Policy Objective 1.3: Implement ‘climate proofing’ adaptation and resilience building

technologies across all sectors. .................................................................................. 42

4.2.2 ............................................................................................................................... 44

Policy Directive 2: Sectoral Climate Change Mainstreaming for a Healthy, Educated Society

....................................................................................................................................... 44

Policy Objective 2.1: Promote a safe, healthy, socially secure climate resilient

population. ................................................................................................................. 44

Policy Objective 2.2: Use Education to generate shifts in the behaviors towards more

climate-smart livelihoods and lifestyles...................................................................... 47

Policy Objective 2.3: Build agricultural resilience for national food and nutrition

security ....................................................................................................................... 49

4.3 MITIGATION ........................................................................................................... 51

4.3.1 ................................................................................................................................ 51

Policy Directive 3. The Implementation and Use of Green and Clean Technologies ............ 51

Policy Objective 3.1: Transition to renewable energy technologies and practices to

reduce climate risk and carbon emissions. ................................................................. 51

4.3.2 ............................................................................................................................... 55

Policy Directive 4: Encourage economic activity that is diversified, climate-ready and low-

carbon ............................................................................................................................ 55

Policy Objective 4.1: Mainstream climate change sensitivity across energy and

extractive industries. .................................................................................................. 55

Policy Objective 4.2: Commit to large scale transition to cleaner production and

service industries ........................................................................................................ 58

4.3.3 ................................................................................................................................ 60

Policy Directive 5: Responsible Management and Utilization of Natural Resources ........... 60

Policy Objective 5.1: Maintain Guyana’s forests as a major carbon sink. .................... 60

Policy Objective 5.2: Responsible management of watersheds and freshwater

resources for human and ecological benefits. ............................................................ 63

4.4 CROSS-CUTTING ................................................................................................... 65

4.4.1 ............................................................................................................................... 65

Policy Directive 6: Promote Equitable Participation in National Decision-Making Processes

....................................................................................................................................... 65

Policy Objective 6.1: Drive social equity for vulnerable groups (women, youth,

indigenous and aged) in national climate change processes. ..................................... 65

Policy Objective 6.2. Report to the people of Guyana on corporate climate

responsibility, accountability, and transparency. ....................................................... 69

4.4.2 ............................................................................................................................... 71

Policy Directive 7: Drive climate change decision making that is based on leading-edge

scientific evidence. .......................................................................................................... 71

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Policy Objective 7.1: Strengthening the technical capacity of national institutions to

contribute to evidence-based decision-making. ......................................................... 72

Policy Objective 7.2: Invest in and support collection, management and use of

scientific data and information for implementing climate actions.............................. 74

4.4.3 ............................................................................................................................... 78

Policy Directive 8: Develop and access finances and resources to achieve national climate

change goals. .................................................................................................................. 78

Policy Objective 8.1: Lead efforts to increase national domestic budget allocations for

climate change programming. ................................................................................... 79

4.4.4 ............................................................................................................................... 82

Policy Directive 9. Encourage and promote cooperation on climate action between the

public and private sectors. ............................................................................................... 82

Policy Objective 9.1: Coordinate climate finance and assistance commitments from

international development partners and donors. ....................................................... 82

Policy Objective 9.2. Promote conditions for employment and livelihoods in the low

carbon economy. ........................................................................................................ 87

Policy Objective 9.3. Focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and drive climate ready

micro, small, and medium enterprises. ....................................................................... 89

SECTION C: ............................................................................................................. 91

IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUTION ............................................... 91

5.0 POLICY IMPLEMENTATION ................................................................................... 92

5.1 Priority because OCC must lead ........................................................................... 98

5.2 Priority by Timeline .............................................................................................. 98

5.3 Priority by most cross-cutting/ co-benefitting Action Items ................................. 101

5.4 Sector Prioritization ........................................................................................... 103

5.5 STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY

THAT SUPPORTS THE GREEN STATE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. ............................... 115

5.6 SUPPORTING NATIONAL REPORTING ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL

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BIBLIOGRAPHY ...................................................................................................... 126

ANNEX I ANALYSIS OF POLICY ALIGNMENT BETWEEN POLICY DIRECTIVES AND

OTHER KEY NATIONAL POLICIES ........................................................................... 130

ANNEX II ................................................................................................................ 143

SWOT ANALYSIS FOR INFORMING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION POLICIES ....... 143

ANNEX III ............................................................................................................... 166

SECTOR BACKGROUND SUMMARIES ...................................................................... 166

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List of Figures Figure 1: Need for and Approach to Design of the National Climate Change Policy & Action

Plan 2030 ............................................................................................................................... 27

Figure 2: Conceptual Map Summary of the National Climate Change Policy and Action plan 2020-2030 .............................................................................................................................. 29

List of Tables Table 1: Attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals ................................................... 17

Table 2: Commitments under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol ............................................ 18

Table 3: Pillars of the (draft) Green State Development Strategy .......................................... 21

Table 4: Summary of Policy Directives ................................................................................... 32

Table 5: Key to implementation timelines ............................................................................. 34

Table 6: Summary of ADAPTATION Implementation Plan by the Sectors/Themes across

which Action Items are to be implemented............................................................................ 94

Table 7: Summary of MITIGATION Implementation Plan by the Sectors/Themes across which

Action Items are to be implemented ...................................................................................... 95

Table 8: Summary of MITIGATION Implementation Plan by the Sectors/Themes across which

Action Items are to be implemented ...................................................................................... 96

Table 9: Actions prioritized because the OCC must take lead ................................................ 98

Table 10: Action prioritized by timeframe for initiation ......................................................... 99

Table 11: Actions prioritized by number of sectors/themes they cut across ......................... 101

Table 12: Policy Implementation Plan for the FINANCE sector ............................................ 103

Table 13: Policy Implementation Plan for the AGRICULTURE sector ................................... 104

Table 14: Policy Implementation Plan for the COASTAL ZONE ........................................... 105

Table 15: Policy Implementation Plan for the ENERGY sector ............................................. 105

Table 16: Policy Implementation Plan for the TRANSPORTATION sector ........................... 106

Table 17: Policy Implementation Plan for the FORESTRY sector ......................................... 108

Table 18: Policy Implementation Plan for the WATER RESOURCES sector ......................... 109

Table 19: Policy Implementation Plan for the DISASTER RISK REDUCTION sector ............. 109

Table 20: Policy Implementation Plan for the INFRASTRUCTURE sector ............................ 110

Table 21: Policy Implementation Plan for the HOUSING sector ........................................... 110

Table 22: Policy Implementation Plan for the HEALTH sector ............................................. 111

Table 23: Policy Implementation Plan for the EDUCATION sector ...................................... 111

Table 24: Policy Implementation Plan for the BUSINESS sector .......................................... 112

Table 25: Policy Implementation Plan for the FOREIGN AFFAIRS/ TRADE sector ............... 113

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Table 26: Policy Implementation Plan for the MINING sector .............................................. 113

Table 27: Policy Implementation Plan for the TOURISM sector ........................................... 114

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LIST OF ACRONYMS ADF Amerindian Development Fund AF Adaptation Fund CAP Conservancy Adaptation Project CARICOM Caribbean Community CCCCC Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre CDB Caribbean Development Bank CALC Climate Action Line of Credit CDC Civil Defense Commission CGCM1 Canadian Global Coupled Model (version 1) CH&PA Central Housing and Planning Authority CPAC Caribbean Planning for Adaption to Climate Change CI Guyana Conservation International Foundation (Guyana) Inc. CIMH Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology CMRVS Community Monitoring, Reporting and Verification System (for Guyana’s

REDD+ Programme) CPACC Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change CTF Clean Technology Fund ECD East Coast Demerara ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean EDWC East Demerara Water Conservancy EHU Environmental Health Unit EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ENSO El Niño-Southern Oscillation EWS Early Warning System FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FCPF Forest Carbon Partnership Facility FCPF-RF Forest Carbon Partnership Facility - Readiness Fund FIP Forest Investment Programme GGMC Guyana Geology and Mines Commission GGDMA Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association GHG Greenhouse Gas GINA Government Information Agency GIS Geographic Information System(s) GLDA Guyana Livestock Development Agency GL&SC Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission GMSA Guyana Manufacturing Services Association GMSTC Guyana Mining School and Training Centre GoG Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana GPL Guyana Power and Light GRDB Guyana Rice Development Board GRIF Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund GSA Guyana School of Agriculture

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GTA Guyana Tourism Association GTS Global Telecommunication System GUYSUCO Guyana Sugar Company GWI Guyana Water Incorporated HadCM3 Hadley Centre General Circulation Model (version 3) ICZM Integrated Coastal Zone Management IDA International Development Association IDB Inter-American Development Bank IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IFC International Finance Corporation IICA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture INC Initial National Communication x ITCZ Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency LDC Least Developed Country LCDS Low Carbon Development Strategy LDCF Least Developed Countries Fund LIDCO Livestock Development Company M&CC Mayor and City Council MACC Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change MIPA Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs MoA Ministry of Agriculture MoC Ministry of Communities MoE Ministry of Education MoF Ministry of Finance MoLA Ministry of Legal Affairs MoPH Ministry of Public Health MoT Ministry of Tourism MOU Memorandum of Understanding MPI Ministry of Public Infrastructure MRVS Monitoring, Reporting and Verification System (for Guyana’s REDD+

Programme) M&E Monitoring and Evaluation NAMAs Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions NAPA National Adaptation Programme of Action NAREI National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute NCCC National Climate Change Committee NCCPAP National Climate Change Policy and Action Plan NCSA National Capacity Self-Assessment NDC Neighbourhood Democratic Council NDIA National Drainage and Irrigation Authority NREAC National Resources and Environment Advisory Committee OCC Office of Climate Change ODA Overseas Development Aid OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

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PPCR Pilot Programme on Climate Resilience REDD Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation REDD+ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation SCCF Special Climate Change Fund SDSM Statistical Down Scaling Model SIDS Small Island Developing States SNAP Stocktaking for National Adaptation Planning SNC Second National Communication SRDD Sea and River Defense Division SREP Scaling Up Renewable Energy Programme SRES Special Report Emissions Scenarios UG University of Guyana UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change VRR Vulnerability, Risk and Resilience WB World Bank WFP World Food Programme WMO World Meteorological Organization

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Guyana recognizes that climate change is a reality and serious threat to the sustainable

development of the country and the well-being of its citizens now and in the future. Guyana

has engaged in climate change activities at the international, regional and national levels for

almost two decades. Guyana is signatory to the Kyoto Protocol and is in the process of

submitting a Third National Communication on climate change to the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In some areas like forestry, Guyana is

a leader in its practices and engagement such as with REDD+. Even though Guyana is

considered a ‘net carbon sink’, domestic emissions mitigation efforts such as harnessing

clean energy is also being pursued. Much of the climate activities to date have been in

understanding climate risk and vulnerability. Lack of local information and data weakens

forecasting efforts but there is still the prevailing understanding that the climate is changing

in unexpected ways, climate impacts will be exacerbated moving forward, and it is necessary

take action to build a multi-level resilience. Guyana's economic profile is also expected to

change with the emergence of a full-fledged oil and gas industrial regime. Such a large-scale

structural transition also now calls for being prepared to mitigate potential increases in

carbon emissions from the industry itself and the eventual changes it will catalyze across the

country from market preferences to livelihoods.

This National Climate Change Policy and Action Plan (NCCPAP) is an important component

undergirding and ensuring the impact of climate change is factored into national

development planning. Having the policy in place means greater likelihood that across the

board investments and efforts made by government benefit from enhanced attention paid to

climate resilience. The policy builds on all of the efforts that have been made in the past from

Guyana’s First National Communication, early progressive sectoral plans and the Low Carbon

Development Strategy. The policy also provides the blueprint for national climate action

coordination, elevates climate change as a central preoccupation of governance moving

forward and signals such to the public and private sector as well as international partners.

The policy is decidedly future looking and aspirational. It taps into the enthusiasm and

innovative nature of the Guyanese people and provides direction to all stakeholders on how

to collaborate towards shared goals in the most efficient and effective ways.

The NCCPAP lays out a national climate action vision, high-level goals and guiding principles

through which these will be achieved. It was developed through a highly consultative process

that brought together the input of a multiplicity of national and international voices from the

public and private sectors and civil society. Notably, it also squarely addresses gender,

vulnerable communities and indigenous peoples across its entirety. It is cognizant that efforts

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can only bear fruit through investing resources and finances to the respective ends and while

there are resource limitations, there are numerous avenues to explore to reduce such

limitations.

Structurally the policy consists of nineteen Policy Objectives addressing adaptation,

mitigation, resilience-building and risk reduction. These objectives are clustered together

into nine Policy Directives. These are:

- Establish climate resilient infrastructure and physical development;

- Sectoral climate change mainstreaming for a healthy, educated society;

- The implementation and use of green and clean technologies;

- Build a diversified, climate-ready, low-carbon Guyanese economy;

- Responsible management and utilization of natural resources;

- Promote equitable participation in national decision-making processes;

- Drive climate change decision making that is based on leading-edge scientific

evidence;

- Develop and access finances and resources to achieve national climate change goals;

- Encourage and promote cooperation on climate action between the public and

private sectors.

The Directives strategically rationalize how the Objectives are executed in logical and

efficient ways while also clearly communicating national policy priorities. The Directives

serve to align actors and resources more efficiently and provides clarity of direction to move

the policy forward. This overarching policy design is derived from national consultation and

two analyses: firstly, a comparative analysis of other national and sectoral policies to identify

alignments with the climate action agenda. This served in helping develop a coherent policy

approach; and secondly, a strategic analysis that identified the strengths, weaknesses,

opportunities and threats to achieving national climate change vision and high-level goals.

To operationalize the NCCPAP, a strategic action plan has been developed. The Strategic

Action Plan comprises action plans to achieve each Policy Objective. In combination they

provide a definitive ten-year roadmap to move towards the expected outcomes. It must be

noted that the policy actions identified and recommended are framed in high level terms that

direct operational level activities. Despite this, they are purposely not intensively

prescriptive. This provides the implementers with enough flexibility to consider the details of

time and context moving forward. The action plans are accompanied by expected outcomes

and realistic performance measures. How to implement the strategic action plan is also

addressed. Most important is how to prioritize action to be taken. Actions that cut across

multiple sectors and priorities could be given higher implementation priority. Actions for

which the Office for Climate Change must take direct leadership rather than solely a

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coordinating role, can also be prioritized. Action prioritization also considers immediate and

acute impacts as well as long-term and slow onset impacts.

The NCCPAP informs national sustainable development planning and several aspects provide

justification and foundation support to the Green State Development Strategy. Similarly, as

the blueprint for climate action in Guyana it is aligned and synergistic with the country’s

international responsibilities. These synergies therefore allow the NCCPAP to collate national

climate progress for reporting back to international partners. Lastly the national climate

change policy is aspirational in its vision, but is realistic in its design. It is fully expected is that

this policy will be reviewed and revised after the initial ten-year implementation cycle, to

accommodate changing societal context, new information and data and even the emergence

of new technologies and solutions. With this policy documented and operational, it

establishes institutional standing for climate change, not simply as a concern but an

entrenched and irascible national governance principle, with a heightened level of

recognition. Over time, the value it will bring to the Guyanese people, as we grapple with

climate change, will become even more apparent.

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SECTION A: The Policy Context and Approach

1.0 THE NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE CONTEXT

1.1 CLIMATE CHANGE IS ALREADY BEING EXPERIENCED Guyana's 215,000km2 is endowed with abundant natural resources and diverse ecosystems

and includes some of the last large-scale tracts of tropical forests in the world. With its size,

small population (just less that 800,000 persons) and poor hinterland infrastructure, there has

been limited pressure on its biodiversity and biological resources and these have remained

more or less intact. The current rate (0.05%1) of deforestation remains one of the lowest rates

in Latin America and the developing world. Given its wealth of natural resources, Guyana is

considered a large store of carbon, and thus a major provider of global environmental

services. Guyana's coastal area is the low -lying delta of the Berbice, Mahaica, Demerara and

Essequibo Rivers. This fertile coastal strip (77km wide in the east and 26 km wide in the west)

includes Georgetown the capital city, and is home to roughly 90% of the total population and

majority of its Gross National Product producing activities.

Despite being a net sink for greenhouse gas emissions, its geography and historical

settlement development have made it one of the most vulnerable countries to climate

change. Observed climate data shows mean annual temperatures have increased by 0.3°C

since the 1960s, corresponding to an average rate of temperature increase of approximately

0.07°C per decade. Temperatures in Guyana vary geographically with high altitude regions

experiencing cooler temperatures than the coastal, lowland, and savannah zones. Mean air

temperatures in the upland regions and the interior (west) side of the country are between

20°C to 23°C. Mean air temperatures across the rest of the country are from 25°C to 27.5°C,

reaching as high as 31°C, due to the stabilizing effect of the sea and the north-easterly trade

winds.

The principal factor influencing Guyana’s precipitation patterns is the seasonal shift of the

Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a cloud and rain-bearing belt of rising air where

south-easterly and north-easterly trade winds converge, in turn affecting trade wind

direction and rainfall patterns. On an inter-annual and decadal basis, Guyana is also

influenced by the effects of the El-Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which is a naturally

occurring phenomenon that involves fluctuating ocean temperatures in the equatorial

Pacific. Since the 1960s, observed climate data shows increases in mean annual precipitation,

with an average rate of increase across Guyana of 4.8mm per month, equal to 2.7% increase

1 Guyana Forestry Commission, 2018

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per decade. However, trends in seasonal precipitation are not statistically significant.

Guyana’s coastal areas are dominated by a ‘tropical wet’ marine climate where mean annual

precipitation is greater than 2000 mm/year. Guyana’s savannah is dominated by a drier

‘tropical wet-dry’ climate where total precipitation is lower (with a mean of 1400-

1800mm/year) and less well distributed throughout the year. Savannah areas tend to have a

shorter wet season and longer and drier dry season.

Guyana has been described as being ‘particularly vulnerable’ to climate change because of

high levels of exposure and sensitivity to climate risks and limited capacity to adapt. The

climate scenarios for Guyana using the outputs from several General Circulation Models

indicate that temperatures will increase and that sea level will continue to rise together with

the height of storm surges. Ensemble median projections also indicate that average annual

precipitation will decrease and that the proportion of heavy rainfall events will increase.

There is uncertainty about these values as both positive and negative projections of change

are generated when minimum and maximum values are considered. Climate models project

that temperatures will continue to increase and that sea levels and the height of storm surges

will rise. Projections also indicate that average annual precipitation will decrease and that the

proportion of heavy rainfall events will increase. This in turn is expected to exacerbate

adverse social, economic and environmental impacts and act as an additional stress factor on

systems with vulnerabilities derived from non-climate drivers.

The climate scenarios for Guyana using the outputs from several General Circulation Models

(GCMs) indicate that temperatures will increase and that sea level will continue to rise

together with the height of storm surges. Ensemble median projections also indicate that

average annual precipitation will decrease and that the proportion of heavy rainfall events

will increase. With respect to geographic variation, the projected rate of warming is similar in

all seasons, but more rapid in the southern interior region of the country than in the northern,

coastal areas. Reductions in precipitation conversely are projected as greater in the north in

the 2030s and 2070s-2100.

Guyana is currently exposed to extreme weather events which can be caused by a range of

factors including heavy rainfall, sea state and tidal conditions, and inadequate or poorly

maintained drainage and sea defence infrastructure. Guyana is classified as a high flood risk

country, with the greatest vulnerability experienced within the coastal zone33. Indeed,

especially since 39% of Guyana’s population and 43% of its GDP are located on the coastal

zone in regions that are exposed to significant flooding risk by virtue of the concentration of

the population, economic activities, critical infrastructure (e.g. transport) in these areas.

Climate change will alter the characteristics of hazards Guyana is exposed to (e.g. average

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annual rainfall) and the nature of variability (e.g. more intense storms, irregular seasonal

rainfall), which will cause associated knock-on consequences for Guyana’s socio-economic

development objectives. It is estimated that by 2030 Guyana could be exposed to cumulative

annual flood-related losses totaling US$150 million and that an extreme event similar to the

serious flooding in 2005, which resulted in losses equivalent to 60% of GDP, could result in

some US$0.8 billion in losses and harm to more than 320,000 people.

Additionally, Guyana’s vulnerability is exacerbated by ageing and inadequately maintained

critical infrastructure, limited access to the latest knowledge and technology, and wider

poverty and development challenges. Unless addressed, these factors will increase Guyana’s

sensitivity, and in turn vulnerability, to future climate impacts. Climate change could create

serious risks for all sectors, and will likely have a negative impact on the sustainability of

economic development unless action is taken to address these issues. Recent studies

indicate that the agriculture sector will see a decrease in crop yields due to temperature

increases, frequent flooding and salinization of soils. Furthermore, coastal infrastructure

and housing stock in the coastal zone will likely suffer increased damage from more

intense floods, storm surges and sea level rise. Against this background, Guyana has

started to take steps to combat the adverse effects of climate change.

1.2 GUYANA IS PARTY TO INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS

Guyana is committed and, in some cases, has developed domestic legislation in fulfillment of

a number of climate change related international multilateral agreements, treaties, protocols

and regional strategies. Guyana, as a ratified signatory to the UNFCCC and its Kyoto

Protocol, is committed under Article 4 of the UNFCCC. Additionally, Guyana is committed to

acting to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals at national level.

The Head of the OCC is the Focal Point for the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change and is responsible for ensuring that Government of Guyana (GoG) fulfils

its obligations as a Party to the Convention, its Protocol and Agreement. The OCC leads

the engagement and dialogue with multilateral agencies on behalf of the GoG, to

establish partnerships and facilitate access to technical and financial support for low

carbon initiatives, climate change mitigation and adaptation, in furtherance of national

development thrust. The National Climate Change Policy takes these commitments forward

as follows:

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Table 1: Attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Primary SDG (The SDG that the NCCPAP directly addresses)

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Secondary SDGs (SDGs that the NCCPAP can significantly impact)

Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

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Table 2: Commitments under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol

Commitments under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol

Develop, periodically update and publish national inventories of anthropogenic

emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases.

Formulate, implement, publish and regularly update national programmes containing

measures to mitigate climate change by addressing anthropogenic emissions by sources

and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases and measures to facilitate adequate

adaptation to climate change.

Promote and cooperate in the development, application and diffusion, including

transfer, of technologies, practices and processes that control, reduce or prevent

anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases.

Promote sustainable management, the conservation and enhancement of sinks and

reservoirs of greenhouse gases including biomass, forests and oceans as well as other

terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems.

Prepare for adaptation to the impacts of climate change; develop and elaborate

appropriate and integrated plans for coastal zone management, water resources and

agriculture, and for the protection and rehabilitation of areas affected by drought and

desertification, as well as floods.

Take climate change considerations into account, to the extent feasible, in their relevant

social, economic and environmental policies and actions, and employ appropriate

methods, for example impact assessments, formulated and determined nationally, with

a view to minimizing adverse effects on the economy, on public health and on the quality

of the environment, of projects or measures undertaken by them to mitigate or adapt to

climate change.

Promote scientific, technological, technical, socio-economic and other research,

systematic observation and development of data archives related to the climate system

and intended to further the understanding and to reduce or eliminate the remaining

uncertainties regarding the causes, effects, magnitude and timing of climate change and

the economic and social consequences of various response strategies.

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Promote open exchange of relevant scientific, technological, technical, socio- economic

and legal information related to the climate system and climate change, and to the

economic and social consequences of various response strategies.

Promote education, training and public awareness related to climate change and

encourage the widest participation in this process, including that of non- governmental

organizations.

Formulate, where relevant and to the extent possible, cost-effective national

programmes to improve the quality of local emission factors, activity data and/or models

which reflect the socio-economic conditions for the preparation and periodic updating of

national inventories of anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of

greenhouse gases.

Formulate, implement, publish and regularly update national programmes containing

measures to mitigate climate change and measures to facilitate adequate adaptation to

climate change.

1.3 NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Office of Climate Change (OCC), established in 2009, has the mandate to lead in the

development and implementation of national policies and actions for climate change

mainstreaming and coordinate efforts on climate change adaptation, mitigation and

resilience building across sectors and agencies at the national and regional

(administrative) levels. The OCC was the lead agency in the preparation of Guyana’s Low

Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the consultative process for its finalization, and

implementation of the on-going stakeholders' engagement, communication and

outreach.

One main area of weakness constraining the effective functioning of the OCC is the

absence of an overarching policy to "pull" the various policies and strategies together as

a cohesive whole for guiding climate mitigation and adaptation actions in the country.

As such, support provided by Guyana's development partners for CC is being managed in

a non-programmatic manner as there is limited cross-sectoral coordination and

information sharing. The capacity of the OCC to access and manage climate finance

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resources is also weak. Taking this situation into account, the Government of Guyana

has requested support from the Caribbean Development Bank to assist in strengthening

the capacity of the OCC to better manage CC activities in Guyana. The intervention will

focus on developing a National CC Policy and Action Plan.

In many ways, the Government of Guyana can be said to have had a ‘policy on climate

change’, given that since the early 2000s, official Government decisions were made to

become a signatory to international agreements, to commit resources to research and

studies that investigate climate change impacts, vulnerabilities and risks and also to

make national efforts to provide National Communications to the global community.

To undertake such activities would require Government to take a policy position on

climate change, and a seemingly proactive one at that, but never having approved a

formalized and operationalized any official policy documentation. As the OCC has

pointed out, the need for such an institutionalized policy document is required to provide

a formal grounding to support ongoing national climate change activities, both

regulatory (in promotion of relevant laws, regulations, standards) and operational (in

programme and project implementation, education etc.). Among other benefits of a

written policy and an action plan to forward its objectives, are its functions as a reference

point for Government’s national interventions on climate change and establishing a line

of transparency and accountability for all stakeholders to be guided by and by which to

adjudge Government decisions in the respective sphere.

Guyana is well positioned to institutionalize its National Climate Change Policy, given

the reasonably substantial information and data accrued through various research,

studies and reports. A common weakness of climate change policies in the past, in other

jurisdictions has been the formalization of policy positions that are not driven by quality

data, information and evidence. While there may be some gaps and weaknesses in the

general body of research on climate change in Guyana per se, it is not the case here that

a broad, comprehensive and coordinated National Policy will be stymied.

1.4 THE MAKING OF A GREEN STATE

The Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040 provides a comprehensive set of

strategic action lines to guide public investment over the next 20 years in achieving

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sustainable and inclusive development. This objective is broader than Guyana’s past

development strategies and captures a more holistic view of social, economic and

environmental well-being, in line with the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, it not only aims to foster sustained economic

growth that is low-carbon and climate resilient but also promote social cohesion, good

governance and careful management of finite natural resources.

The National Climate Change Policy plays an important foundational role in

supporting Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy. Below are the main

directives of the Strategy, several of which benefit from the National Climate

Change Policy:

Table 3: Pillars of the (draft) Green State Development Strategy

1. Establish the Natural Resource Fund Act and move to a Medium-Term Expenditure Framework to transparently and effectively manage oil wealth.

2. Switch to lower-cost, sustainable and reliable energy sources to support domestic business operations and strengthen energy security.

3. Increase investments in quality health and education systems as the means of stemming outward migration, improving the pool of skilled labour and quality of life.

4. Move to effective and coordinated management of natural resources and expand environmental services.

5. Diversify Guyana’s economic base, move to higher value-added products and create decent jobs for all.

6. A more modernized and expanded infrastructure network lowers the cost of logistics and ensures resilience against climate risks.

7. Improved capacity and accountability of key public institutions, underpinned by efficient policy making procedures.

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8. Shape foreign trade and investment policy to unlock access to international markets and attract foreign direct investment.

1.5 LEVERAGING THE COMING OIL AND GAS REGIME

Major discoveries in the Atlantic, off Guyana’s coast, promise an oil revenue boom as early as

2020. This gives the country a tight schedule to prepare for the opportunities and potential

challenges that result from becoming a major petroleum producer. Indeed, with a GDP of just

$3 billion, and one third of the country below the poverty line, significant offshore finds are,

for the most part, welcome and potentially transformational.

Guyana-Suriname basin resource assessment. The oil and gas industry’s interest in the

Guyana-Suriname offshore basin was piqued by a 2000 USGS assessment of South American

undiscovered resource potential. Updated in 2012, the USGS assessment identified the basin

as the second-largest prospect on or near the continent. Drilling by Exxon Mobil along with

partners has confirmed the promise of the USGS assessment. Together, the Liza-1, Payara-1

and a third in 2018 have a potential estimate of 6 billion barrels and Exxon declares is “just

part of the significant exploration province offshore Guyana.” The Guyana government has

granted favorable terms to operators, allowing them to recover most development costs

before splitting profits 50/50.

Like many underdeveloped countries, Guyana has little experience and few resources to

handle taxation, regulation, and environmental control related to energy production. The

country however continues to make rapid progress in attempts to put all these policies in

place in order to avoid the ‘resource curse’ and maximize the benefits to be derived from oil.

A key part of this has been the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund which will accrue

oil revenues for funding “transformational national projects that will benefit generations to

come.”

With policies in place to effectively leverage oil revenues, there can be the very real and not

distant promise of increasing the quality of life to all citizens through wealth distributive

policies, social programmes, investments in public services and infrastructure and stimulation

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of diversified, value added networks of local business and industrial sectors. Consequences of

this could include attracting more foreign investment to Guyana and stemming the ‘brain

drain’ as more employment opportunities present themselves. Also, Guyana would be able to

wean itself off depending on multilateral banks and donor partners and have more autonomy

in charting its own development destiny.

There could also be less attractive consequences of the improper governance of oil revenues.

Perhaps most relevant to the Climate Change Policy are the environmental impacts that will

ensue through fossil fuel production and operations as well as the impacts from large scale

development projects that can be pursued later on, with revenues accrued. Will Guyana be

able to maintain its ‘carbon sink’ reputation given the increased levels of greenhouse gas

emissions that will be a reality? There will also be societal consequences that can impact on

the carbon emissions including changing consumption patterns of the public that come with

higher incomes; increased waste generation; movement of labour to the energy sector and

away from the less lucrative agricultural sector. Added to this are the risks of revenue leakage

through corruption especially if proper institutional checks and balances are not put in place;

misdirected investments in low cost-benefit national projects for political gain; and

burgeoning of informal sectors attracted to the new economy including gangs, drugs and

trafficking of illicit products.

2.0 POLICY VISION, GOALS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES The National Climate Change Policy and Action Plan (NCCPAP) provides a framework for

addressing the issues that Guyana faces and will face in the future due to climate change. The

policy provides a comprehensive framework for the furtherance of national climate change

actions and strengthening the efforts already underway for adaptation, resilience and

mitigation. The policy implementation plan sets out a ten-year framework and is meant to be

a ‘living’ document and will be reviewed and updated regularly to address emerging

concepts, new scientific evidence and Guyana’s societal needs as the country progresses

along a low carbon emissions development pathway.

The Policy draws on information from the previous national documents such as:

Nationally Determined Contribution (2015); Initial National Communication (2002);

Second National Communication (2012); Low Carbon Development Strategy

(2009/2013); Climate Change Action Plan (2001); Climate Change Adaptation Policy and

Implementation Plan (2001), Draft Climate Resilience Strategy and Action Plan (2015);

interviews with policy­makers and national consultations.

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

❖ Promote national pride and respect for our country and its natural

resources.

❖ Facilitate Inclusive participation of citizens across categories of gender, age, social vulnerability, religion, economic status, local communities and indigenous peoples in decision making processes addressing climate change issues.

❖ Sustainably use and conserve Guyana’s natural capital for inter-

generational equity.

❖ Promote clean, healthy and safe environment for all Guyanese.

POLICY VISION

Guyana’s climate change policy integrates the socio-economic and environmental challenges of climate change and provides strategic guidance for adaptation, mitigation and resilience to foster national

sustainable development.

POLICY GOALS

❖ Reduce climate related loss and damage across all productive sectors thereby protecting livelihoods, food security and standard of living

❖ Promote community development and redirecting economic activity away from vulnerable areas

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❖ Promote a clean and healthy environment for all

❖ Transition to climate resilient infrastructure and integrated physical land use plans

❖ Promote holistic development planning utilizing environmentally friendly approaches

❖ Build institutional and human capacity to plan and respond to climate change

❖ Adopt new technologies and early warning systems

❖ Develop and implement sustainable land management best practices to combat land degradation with focus on the Hinterland

❖ Transition to renewable energy sources and energy efficiency and reduce or eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions

❖ Improve availability of and access to climate change data and information.

2.1 INTENDED OUTCOMES

This National Climate Change Policy and Action Plan lays the foundation for Guyana’s

future climate change actions while consolidating current efforts and building on those

of the past. The intended outcomes are:

- A proactive national approach to climate action that accepts and prioritizes climate

change as a foundation for building a sustainable economy.

- Climate action premised on the precautionary principle of risk avoidance and risk

avoidance especially where high uncertainty exists. The commitment to this

approach makes use of appropriate technologies and resources and allows the

country to make corrections to its development pathway moving forward.

- Climate efforts that creatively leverage ‘opportunities’ presented by the onset of

climate impacts. On a macro scale this means making the green state more

economically, environmentally and socially attractive. But it will also provide a lens

through which to take advantage of local and indigenous practices and resources and

inspire green entrepreneurs.

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- A way to approach climate action that is attuned to the socio-cultural context and

values of Guyana. An emboldened society with a common direction that lifts all,

including the vulnerable and the marginalized.

- A roadmap and toolbox from which ambitious future national strategies, plans,

programmes and initiatives can sprout and find support while being grounded in

realities of pressures and drivers both within and beyond national control.

- Guyana’s coordinated and high impact climate actions making it a model for the

region and internationally,

3.0 POLICY STRUCTURE, USE AND INTERPRETATION

This Policy is formulated in response to international and national level drivers. Foremost are

to lay the foundation and give direction and coherence to national climate change efforts

taken in fulfillment of international responsibilities. These international responsibilities arise

through Guyana’s commitments to multilateral environmental agreements and frameworks

including the Paris Accord, Kyoto Protocol and the United Nations Sustainable Development

Goals. On the national level, the Policy is driven by the need to rationalize and support the

various direct and indirect, partial climate change related mandates and objectives of

existing national sectoral and thematic policies. Without a coherent and solidified core

Climate Change policy to guide national adaptation, mitigation and resilience building

actions, the works and efforts across other sector and themes are not being optimized, suffer

from inefficiencies in an environment of limited resources, are unable to be scaled up and out

for lack of a framework to do so and in some cases may even be duplicative or working at

odds while leaving gaps in the climate action landscape (see Figure 1 below).

The Policy is operationalized or implemented through a Core Action Plan and several Sector

and Thematic Action Plans. Each action plan addresses relevant Policy Objectives by

identifying and recommending policy implementation actions. Each action is accompanied

by attendant expected outcomes and performance indicator(s). Additionally, efforts are

made to identify and list the main agency/ agencies or stakeholders charged with

implementation as well as an estimated implementation schedule of a short, medium- or

long-term horizon across the 10-year implementation period. The Core Action Plan can be

considered the ‘master action plan’ for achieving the goals of the climate Policy. The 19

Policy Objectives are logically clustered into 9 Policy Directives to aid implementation. Each

Sector Action Plan is specifically constructed to take guide climate actions and measure

progress in the respective sector. Similarly, each Thematic Action Plan is specifically

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constructed to guide climate actions and measure progress under the particular theme (see

Figure 2 below).

Figure 1: Need for and Approach to Design of the National Climate Change Policy & Action Plan 2030

The ultimate outcomes of the Policy are twofold at this time. First, the entire approach feeds

directly into the targets and indicators that Guyana strives to achieve and report on

according the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate

change and its impacts. Second, the Policy has direct and indirect implications for the Green

State Development Strategy since many of the Policy Directives, Objectives and Actions

support and /or are aligned with its goals. Achievement of the elements of the Climate

Change Policy therefore have significant co-benefits for the Green State Development

Strategy (refer to Table 3 above). For example, Pillar 2 notes “Switch to lower-cost,

sustainable and reliable energy sources…”, which is directly supported by several of the

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Policy Directives that are delineated in Section 2 of the Policy. Figure 2 below summarizes

this approach to designing the National Policy and Action Plan.

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Figure 2: Conceptual Map Summary of the National Climate Change Policy and Action plan 2020-2030

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3.1 BOUNDARIES OF THE NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY AND ACTION PLAN 2020-2030

The fundamental premise of the Policy is to frame and champion Guyana’s national climate

change adaptation, mitigation and resilience building efforts. It is not the intent of this Policy

to address all of Guyana’s environmental challenges. However, given the cross-sectional

nature of climate change, there will evidently be many co-benefits to be strategically derived

by good policy guidance and decisions. Examples of co-benefits, such as those related to

mitigation actions include improved energy efficiency of plants, renewable energy uptake and

fuel switching which might enable a range of co-benefits such as air-pollution impacts,

technological innovation, energy-supply security through increased energy diversity and

reduced fuel cost.

The Policy takes precedence over other national and sectoral policies that directly or indirectly

or partially address climate change. It also provides guidance on how to approach climate

change in national development strategies, plans, initiatives and frameworks. This is an

institutional change that may require time and concerted efforts to integrate into the

respective business as usual scenario in Guyana, but it is an imperative if efforts are to be

effectively and efficiently coordinated in the future.

Given the latter point, the Policy is therefore also not a strategic operational plan and cannot

provide recommendations on specific sectoral or thematic tactics or resource allocations or

prioritizations. The Policy guides on the options of policy level instruments, tools and

approaches both available and recommended to those developing more fine-grained

strategies, plans, programmes and initiatives. The range of higher-level policy approaches may

sometimes overlap with strategic operational planning. Examples of policy level approaches

mentioned in this Policy include: adjustments in taxation; revisions in public expenditure

priorities; decisions about borrowing from whom and for what; economic penalties and

economic incentives, subsidies; linking government-controlled benefits or services to market

and personal behaviour; charges to use public services; use of formal legislation, regulations

and standards; voluntary regulations; codes of practice; agreements between governments

and important intermediate actors such as unions and business; legal penalties; public

education; funding actors to share implementation burdens; organizational change and

reforms within government; and communication drives.

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SECTION B: Policy Directives and Action Plans

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4.0 THE POLICY DIRECTIVES

Table 4 below, summarizes the Policy Directives and Policy Objectives that are expanded on in this section. Each Policy Directive is presented with a descriptor as are all of the Policy Objectives falling under the respective Directives. Each Policy Objective is accompanied by an Action Plan. Two background analyses also contributed to the development of the Action Plans. These are (1) Policy Coherence analysis which is provided in Annex 1; and (2) SWOT analyses which is provided in Annex 2.

Table 4: Summary of Policy Directives

ADAPTATION

Establish climate resilient infrastructure and physical development PD 1

Build and retrofit green towns, settlements, urban and, rural centers and critical infrastructure.

PO 1.1

Reduce disaster and hazard risks that jeopardize productivity and livelihoods. PO 1.2

Implement ‘climate proofing’ adaptation and resilience building technologies across all sectors.

PO 1.3

Sectoral Climate Change Mainstreaming for a Healthy, Educated Society PD 2

Policy Objective 2.1: Promote a safe, healthy, socially secure climate resilient population.

PO 2.1

Policy Objective 2.2: Use Education to generate shifts in the behaviors towards more climate-smart livelihoods and lifestyles

PO 2.2

Policy Objective 2.3: Build agricultural resilience for national food and nutrition security

PO 2.3

MITIGATION

The Implementation and Use of Green and Clean Technologies PD 3

Transition to renewable energy technologies and practices to reduce climate risk and carbon emissions.

PO 3.1

Build a diversified, climate-ready, low-carbon Guyanese economy PD 4

Mainstream climate change sensitivity across energy and extractive industries. PO 4.1

Commit to large scale transition to cleaner production and service industries PO 4.2

Responsible Management and Utilization of Natural Resources PD 5

Maintain Guyana’s forests as a major carbon sink. PO 5.1

Responsible management of watersheds and freshwater resources for human and ecological benefits.

PO 5.2

CROSS-CUTTING

Promote Equitable Participation in National Decision-Making Processes PD 6

Drive social equity for vulnerable groups (women, youth, indigenous and aged) in national climate change processes.

PO 6.1

Report to the people of Guyana on corporate climate responsibility, PO 6.2

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accountability, and transparency.

Drive climate change decision making that is based on leading-edge scientific evidence.

PD 7

Strengthening the technical capacity of national institutions to contribute to evidence-based decision-making.

PO 7.1

Invest in and support collection, management and use of scientific data and information for implementing climate actions.

PO 7.2

Develop and access finances and resources to achieve national climate change goals.

PD 8

Lead efforts to increase national domestic budget allocations for climate change programming.

PO 8.1

Encourage and promote cooperation on climate action between the public and private sectors.

PD 9

Coordinate climate finance and assistance commitments from international development partners and donors.

PO 9.1

Promote conditions for employment and livelihoods in the low carbon economy.

PO 9.2

Focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and drive climate ready micro, small, and medium enterprises.

PO 9.3

4.1 CORE AND SECTOR ACTION PLANS AND LINKS TO NATIONAL

PLANS AND REPORTING

There are nine (9) Policy Implementation Plans that are designed to deliver on the

nine (9) Policy Directives and twenty attendant Policy objectives described above.

Each Policy implementation Plan contains Strategic Actions, Expected Outcomes,

Performance Indicators, Responsible Agency and Implementation Schedule.

Notably, the Implementation Schedule describes the time frame in which the

Strategic Action will be executed. Since this National Climate Change Policy and

Action Plan covers the timespan 2020-2030, this ten (10) year span is divided into:

Immediate Phase Yrs. 1-4; Mid Phase Yrs. 4-7; and Final Phase Yrs. 7-10. In the

Tables, the spread of implementation is represented by circular dots, the larger

meaning the more intense the implementation drive.

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Table 5: Key to implementation timelines

Immediate – Mid – Final - Phases Descriptor

• • •

Intensive implementation effort is required in

Immediate term. As momentum builds over time,

less intensive implementation effort is required

moving from mid to final phases of the 10 year

implementation timeline,

• • •

Implementation effort must begin in the

Immediate term when ground work is required to

build momentum towards the Mid phase, when

the mist implementation effort must be exerted.

Moving towards the final phase, effort can be

reduced as actions have momentum behind them.

• • •

There are significant deficiencies in ability to exert

implementation effort of enough magnitude to

make change, in the immediate term. These

deficiencies must be overcome in the Intermediate

and Mid phases (for example, large or complex

activities). The implementation effort builds

momentum towards the Final phase in the

timeline, when the situation and context become

optimal for full implementation effort.

These Policy Implementation Plans have been developed based on the Strategic

Policy Analyses. In these Analyses, the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and

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Threats associated with each respective Policy Directive and Policy Objectives have

been assessed and summarized. The Strategic actions recommended are therefore

outcomes of the SWOT analysis whereby they either build on the identified

strengths and opportunities, attempt to remove weaknesses or are meant to combat

against potential threats.

Several Sector Action Plans are also developed based on the nine core

Implementation Plans. For each Sector Action Plan, a climate change risk assessment

of the sector is summarized and provided as information that informs the priority

actions to be implemented in the respective sector.

Lastly, there are two summary tables that identify how:

(1) Policy Directives, Objectives and Implementation Plans link to and support the

main elements of the National Green State Development Strategy.

(2) Policy Directives, Objectives and Implementation Plans feed into the Targets and

indicators of SDG 13, and therefore how this National Climate Change Policy and

Action Plan will directly contribute to national reporting of progress on this

particular Sustainable Development Goal.

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4.2 ADAPTATION

4.2.1

POLICY DIRECTIVE 1: Establish climate resilient infrastructure and physical development

Housing, settlements and physical infrastructure networks such as those for land, river, and sea

transportation will be affected by the physical impacts of climate variability and climate

change. Guyana will prioritize new infrastructure assets that are planned, designed, built, and

operated to account for the climate changes that may occur over the lifespans for which they

are designed. Also, investments will be made to retrofit, manage, and maintain appropriately

existing infrastructure to match forecasted climate-related impacts. Additionally, the highest

priority is given to critical infrastructures, such as sea walls, which must benefit from leading

edge engineering techniques and data-driven feasibility studies so that construction addresses

the physical impacts of climate change. Appropriate combinations of engineered solutions, as

well as natural interventions, such as mangrove forests, will be promoted.

Policy Objective 1.1: Build and retrofit green towns, settlements,

urban and, rural centers and critical infrastructure.

Guyana promotes flexible, adaptive approaches to infrastructure that utilize climate model

projections that incorporate scientific and social data that are particularly on a regional or local

scale to increase the resilience of structure. Decisions about infrastructure will consider

relevant uncertainties to ensure resilience to potential future scenarios developed for Guyana.

Doing so depends on high-quality information and capacity to use this information to inform

planning. Access to information through relevant, modern platforms will complement the

development of technical and institutional capacity to manage infrastructure-related risks.

Tools will be promoted to mainstream adaptation in critical policy areas and encouraging

investments in resilient infrastructure including spatial planning frameworks to redirect

development away from high-risk areas; infrastructure project and policy appraisals (Strategic

Environmental Impact Assessment); and regulatory and economic standards (such as building

codes). Capacity will be developed to review and update building standards and consider fiscal

incentives for energy efficient, hurricane and flood resilient construction.

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Action Plan for Policy Objective 1.1: Build and retrofit green towns, settlements, urban and, rural centers and critical infrastructure.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeframe

(1A) Creation of National Land Policy and Land Use Plans that guide land use in Guyana. (Multi-sectoral)

Established Climate change resilient urban and public centers

Percentage of the population living in flood and/or drought prone areas

Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission

• • •

(1B) Capacity building and training on climate resilient practices. (Multi-sectoral)

Urban climate change adaptation best practices

Number of urban adaptation best practices introduced

Central Housing and Planning Authority

• • •

(1C) Development and implementation of climate resilient building codes. (Construction)

Climate Change resilient housing and properties

No of properties with retrofitted climate change resilience measures.

Local Government/ Municipalities

• • •

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(1D) Scientific analysis of coastal processes

for the construction of coastal defense

structures. (River and Sea Defense)

Protection of coastal property from climate change impacts

Number of properties lost due to coastal erosion per year

Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Sea Defense Division

• • •

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Policy Objective 1.2: Reduce disaster and hazard risks that jeopardize

productivity and livelihoods.

Climate-resilient infrastructure is required to improve the reliability of service provision and

increase the lifespan of physical assets. Guyana will promote climate resilience management

and structural measures (e.g., raising the height of bridges to account for a sea-level rise or

using natural infrastructure such as protecting or enhancing natural drainage systems).

Prioritizing action would be conducted after ranking risk prone areas, the economic activities

of these areas, and the associated climates related disaster risks to these areas. Strategic plans

for coastal defense systems will be promoted. These include: mangrove restoration, sea wall

construction and rehabilitation, improving the capacity of the drainage systems and early

warning systems; conducting regular assessments of Georgetown drainage conditions;

clearing drains and sluices, and maintaining emergency pumps.

Efforts will focus on risk assessment, preparedness, prevention or mitigation, response and

recovery. To inform development activities, risk identification and quantification strategies

will be supported especially as they consider the impacts of floods and droughts on vulnerable

communities and the natural environment. Policies that support a reduction in the risks of

floods and droughts through structural and non-structural measures, must be created and

implemented. Systems should be created for contingency and emergency planning with an

adequate level of preparedness and response capacity for floods and droughts etc.. Recovery

mechanisms from the impacts of floods and drought must ensure the continuity of operations

of the government, private sector, and communities through early recovery, business

continuity, rehabilitation, and physical and social reconstruction initiatives. Efforts must be

made to promote the transfer of risk to reduce direct losses due to the impacts of floods and

droughts affecting the government, private sector, and the society in general in Guyana.

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Action Plan for Policy Objective 1.2: Reduce disaster and hazard risks that jeopardize productivity and livelihoods.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Schedule

(2A) Policies and coordination mechanisms that support the country’s capacity to cope with the aftermath of hazards and disasters. (Community and Regional Development)

More policies that align to coordination mechanisms to support and build capacity to cope with the aftermath of hazards and disasters.

Number of policies and coordination mechanisms explicitly addressing the country’s capacity to cope with the aftermath of hazards and disasters.

Civil Defense Commission

• • •

(2B) Training and capacity building of both the Civil Defense and Local Municipality staff to respond to hazards and disasters effectively. (Community and Regional Development)

Training of all Civil Defense and Municipality staff to deal with the aftermath of disasters and hazards.

Number of Civil Defense and Local Municipality staff that have received training on adaptation and DRM

OCC; Civil Defense Commission

• • •

(2C) Education of the population in disaster response. (Community and Regional Development)

Public awareness campaigns on hazards and disaster response

Number of public awareness campaigns on hazards and disaster response

• • •

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(2D) National early warning system for

climate change impacts. (Community and

Regional Development)

No or minimal damage to homes/ businesses/property/ livestock etc. affected by flood, drought.

Cost of damage to homes/ businesses/property/ livestock etc. affected by flood, drought.

Office of

Climate Change

• • •

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Policy Objective 1.3: Implement ‘climate proofing’ adaptation and

resilience building technologies across all sectors.

This policy supports the expansion and promotion of a wide range of incentive measures and

regulatory mechanisms that will increase the uptake of ‘climate proofing’ technologies and

practices across all relevant economic sectors and activities. These can include new

regulations for technology and operating standards across economic sectors (e.g., hurricane

resistant green housing in agriculture; built-in systems redundancy for critical facilities); and

market-based product quality certifications. As various sector policies and strategies are

developed there will be inclusive of climate proofing considerations which will be prioritized

alongside considerations of technical feasibility, economic and social factors. Climate proofing

technologies and practices will be identified, screened, and calculated into planning and

programming in order to be approved. Climate proofing will be considered as part of the risk

management process. In the first instance, national priority areas for climate proofing will

include agriculture, water, and the coastal zone and low-lying communities. Climate proofing

technologies and practices will be targeted to build the capacity in research, forecasting, early

warning systems, integrated natural resource management including water resources and sea

defense infrastructure to reduce hazard risk and improve multi-level planning.

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Action plan for Policy Objective 1.3: Implement ‘climate proofing’ adaptation and resilience building technologies across all

sectors.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeframe

(3A) Incentive measures and green procurement (Finance)

Access to sustainable financing/incentives

Number of projects utilizing access to sustainable financing/ incentives

Ministry of Finance Private Sector Commission Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)

• • •

(3B) Creation of standards and certifications. (Energy)

Accreditation of local certification bodies/associations.

Number of certified bodies and associations.

Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS)

• • •

(3C) Capacity building in Climate proofing technologies. (Energy)

Pilot and demonstration projects in the various Regions of Guyana on ‘climate proofing’ adaptations.

Number of demonstration projects on ‘climate proofing’.

Guyana Energy Agency Office of Climate Change

• • •

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4.2.2

Policy Directive 2: Sectoral Climate Change Mainstreaming for a Healthy, Educated Society

The health and education sectors are primary service areas for government services and

support. They are also critical foundations upon which the national climate change adaptation,

mitigation and resilience building efforts must be built. The education sector must be prepared

to build knowledge, awareness, and skills into the curriculum and learning programmes at all

levels, for many audiences, in order to propel national efforts forward. Education that

mainstreams climate change is also necessary for developing the needed human resource

capacities required to transition Guyana to a low carbon development pathway. Climate

change will put additional strains on the health sector of Guyana through direct impacts,

indirect impacts, and on healthcare facilities and support infrastructure. Guyana must commit

to strengthening the healthcare system to reduce the risks that climate change presents.

Policy Objective 2.1: Promote a safe, healthy, socially secure climate

resilient population.

Guyana commits to promoting mechanisms to deal with the direct impacts on human health,

such as those which arise from damages and illness from increased frequency and severity of

extreme weather events; the indirect impacts which are mediated through other

environmental systems including rising air pollution, and changing patterns of vector- food-

and water-borne diseases; and the socially mediated effects which occur via climate change’s

interaction with social and human systems. The above, including health effects resulting from

undernutrition, occupational heat stress, and mental illness, as well as potential increases in

population displacement and risks of violent conflict, are slowing the rate of economic growth

and poverty reduction.

This policy pays particular attention to the health risks due to climate variabilities such as

more frequent and/or severe heat waves, floods and storms which are often far less predictable

and therefore have the potential to cripple health facilities, social systems, and key

infrastructure. Due to the geographical distributions of climate hazards, the underlying

socioeconomic determinants of vulnerability and weaknesses in government and community

capacity to respond, the effects will disproportionately affect vulnerable groups including the

poor, children, elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Hence, special

provisions for these possibilities will be supported. Other focus will be on the viability of the

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health system by damaging critical services and infrastructure networks giving increasing

severity and frequency of extreme weather events including storms and floods; mass

displacement and internal migrations of populations; vulnerability of Georgetown and urban

centers to water-borne diseases during flooding and contaminated drinking water; and food

and medicine shortages especially in Hinterland regions.

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Action Plan for Policy Objective 2.1: Promote a safe, healthy, socially secure climate resilient population.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeframe

(4A) Incentives for the population to become engaged in climate education opportunities and activities (Education)

All citizens having formal and informal climate education.

Number of citizens who have received an education up to the age of 16years.

Ministry of Education

• • •

(4B) Provisions of resilient health infrastructure and increased access and services (Health)

All citizens have access to subsidized medical attention.

Number of citizens with access to subsidized medical attention.

Ministry of Public Health • • •

(4C) Develop platforms and increase access to information and technology. (Ministry of Education)

More avenues to access tools, innovations, services and products for climate action

Number of citizens with access to online and technological platforms

Ministry of Education • • •

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Policy Objective 2.2: Use Education to generate shifts in the

behaviors towards more climate-smart livelihoods and lifestyles

Several fundamental aspects of climate change make clear both the need for education and the opportunity it offers. First, addressing climate change will require action at all levels of society, including individuals, organizations, businesses, local and national governments. It requires the transfer of knowledge, both intellectually and effectively, to decision-makers and their constituents at all levels. Infusing climate change in education serves as a vehicle for societal change. In particular, education can enable society to benefit from climate change science by transferring scientific knowledge across societal sectors. Education plays a central role in several processes that can accelerate social change and climate change mitigation. Effective climate change education increases the number of informed and engaged citizens, building social will or pressure to shape policy, and building a workforce for a low-carbon economy. Indeed, several climate change education efforts, for example, those being instituted at the University of Guyana are delivering gains in climate and energy knowledge, affect, and/or motivation. However, Guyana still faces challenges in coordinating initiatives across audiences, managing and leveraging resources, and making effective investments at a scale that is commensurate with the climate change challenge. Education is needed to promote informed decision-making at all levels of society.

Efforts will be placed in climate change education to empower, inform, and motivate those engaged, the wider community and youth to act in innovative, new and even experimental ways. Strategies can include efforts that are curriculum-based, community-based and technology-based approaches. Education must also heavily play a role in the shift in paradigm and development of a workforce with the knowledge, skills, and drive to develop a sustainable, green economy. Restructuring formal education at all levels is, therefore, a key vehicle for driving the uptake of climate change knowledge and skills to act. Addressing climate change and effective integration into education requires an understanding of the root causes and the social, economic and environmental relationships at play. Climate change must also be recognized as having both formal and informal dimensions in order to reach those members of society that spend less time in the formal education systems. Climate change education should not be restricted by subject, but should be integrated across the curriculum, and requires emphasis on problem-solving and evidence-based thinking; and, the pursuit of a collaborative approach to teacher training to foster acceptance of new methodologies and integration of climate education across the system.

48

Action Plan for Policy Objective 2.2: Use Education to generate shifts in the behaviors towards more climate-smart livelihoods

and lifestyles

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance

Indicator

Responsible

Agency

Implementation

Timeframe

(5A) Inclusion of climate change and

sustainable development education

through the formal education channels and

curriculum. (Education).

Courses in the formal

school system that

are aligned with a

climate smart

lifestyle.

The number of

courses in the

formal education

system that aligns

to the vision of a

climate smart

lifestyle.

Ministry of

Education

• • •

(5B) Voluntary and consumer incentives to

encourage a more climate smart lifestyle

by citizens. (Environment)

Increased positive

public perceptions of

to the climate smart

lifestyles.

Percentage of the

public reporting to

adopt climate

smart lifestyles.

Department of

Environment

• • •

(5C) Government incentives for the

creation of community and Non-

Government organizations that promote a

climate smart lifestyle. (Environment)

Formation of

Community and non-

profit groups for

promotion of a

climate smart

lifestyle.

Number of Non-

Governmental

Organizations

formed to

encourage a

climate smart

lifestyle.

Department of

Environment

• • •

49

Policy Objective 2.3: Build agricultural resilience for national food

and nutrition security

Since climate change impacts the four key dimensions of food security—availability, stability,

access, and utilization - agricultural adaptation to climate change impacts must be high on the

national agenda. This includes improving staple and subsistence agricultural productivity and

sustainability for both domestic consumption and export. Climate adaptation in the sector will

require efforts to improve land use practices and the availability of skills, capital, and

technology, as well as broader factors related to infrastructure (e.g., drainage and irrigation;

storage and transport). The identification of new technologies and innovative methods of

production could contribute significantly to agricultural resiliency which, in turn, will benefit

farmers economically and reduce sectoral emissions.

This policy supports agricultural strategies and programmes that take actions including the

planting of drought-resistant varieties of crops, crop diversification, change in cropping pattern

and calendar of planting, improved irrigation efficiency, adopting soil conservation measures

that conserve soil moisture, breeding strategies, livestock management systems, and capacity

building for livestock keepers. It is also realistic to consider the sustainability of the sector in

light of near-future possibilities of labor shifting to higher wage oil and gas and downstream

related sectors. This might include direct financing and technical support (for small producers

and fledgling supply chains) and strategic economic infrastructure (drainage, irrigation, road

construction, and off-grid power). Such improvements would also facilitate investment in high-

potential low-carbon sectors such as the processing and packaging of fruits, vegetables,

aquaculture and bio-ethanol production, and sustainably managing the forestry sectors.

Opportunities for investment and development by indigenous communities would also be

created in areas such as livestock and value-added production. Recognizing that for a

significant segment of the population, agricultural production is both a source of food and a

source of income, the Government of Guyana must make an investment in agriculture, but

wisely, in a climate proofing manner, expanding safety nets and social assistance

programmes.

50

Action Plan for Policy Objective 2.3: Build agricultural resilience for national food and nutrition security

Strategic Action Expected

Outcome

Performance

Indicator

Responsible

Agency

Implementation

Timeframe

(6A) Incentives for the use of climate

resistant crop varieties by farmers.

(Agriculture)

Farming with 100%

use of climate

resistant crop

varieties.

Percentage of

climate resistant

crop varieties being

used by farmers.

Ministry of

Agriculture

• • •

(6B) Incentives to consumers to purchase

from farmers adhering to climate smart

agriculture. (Agriculture)

Greater sales made

by farmers with

climate smart

farms.

Annual sales of

climate smart farms

and traditional

farms.

Ministry of

Agriculture

• • •

(6C) Capacity building for farmers through

incentives such as freshwater harvesting

etc. (Agriculture)

Improved irrigation

systems

Percentage of

agriculture lands

with improved

irrigation.

Ministry of

Agriculture • • •

51

4.3 MITIGATION

4.3.1

Policy Directive 3. The Implementation and Use of Green and Clean Technologies

Green technology or clean technology refers to environmentally friendly innovations in the production processes supply chain processes and operational and business practices. Such technologies are an important solution in the battle against climate change. In some cases, many of such technologies are young in the market and often untested in conditions outside of industrial countries where they may have been invented. Guyana is committed to seeking out, adopting, and adapting such technologies and the practices to meet national climate change objectives. This commitment is tempered by economic and financial considerations as well as precautions to ensure that such adoptions and adaptations fit into the socioeconomic, cultural, and developmental context of Guyana. Ultimately, Guyana seeks to learn from adopted green and clean technologies so that moving forward, the country can lead innovations tailored to it’s indigenous contexts and objectives, fully utilizing and enhancing local human and technical capacities. The focus will be on three types of green and clean technologies and practices which are listed below.

Policy Objective 3.1: Transition to renewable energy technologies

and practices to reduce climate risk and carbon emissions.

Guyana is committed to transitioning to renewable and clean energy sources in order to reduce national carbon emissions and the impact such emissions have on human health, ecology, and the natural environment. Efforts and support will focus on technologies and processes that create energy and fuel efficiencies, reduce energy demand, and are cost effective. The priority sectors for interventions are power generation and transportation since they contribute the greatest volume of emissions. A mix of policy instruments including incentive programs for technology transitioning will be pursued including fuel diversification, regulatory and emissions standards, and best available technology standards. Alongside must be supportive education and training programs and public awareness initiatives. This policy also supports larger national infrastructure investments that yield carbon reductions including strengthening the national electricity grid and generation from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro. Relevant feasibility, economic, and environmental impact studies must underlie Guyana’s strategic investments to combat climate change. The support of evidence-based investment decisions is foremost, and there are numerous gaps to be filled to aid the decision-making

52

processes. Gaps identified as priorities include: potential demand trajectories for electricity demand, economic growth forecasts, industry growth trends, transport fuel projections, feasible of different renewable sources of energy for different uses, sustainability of large scale projects, power system needs and grid development, current and forecasted energy demand by different end-use categories, improving energy efficiency and relative technological costs, and capacity of different end-users in adopting technologies.

53

Action Plan for Policy Objective 3.1: Transition to renewable energy technologies and practices to reduce climate risk and carbon emissions.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance

Indicator

Responsible

Agency

Implementation

Timeframe

(7A) Introduction of vehicle and

emission standards and routine

testing. (Multi-sectoral)

Reduction in emissions

from transport sector

Percentage of

emissions from the

transport sector per

annum.

Guyana Energy

Agency

Guyana Police

Force

• • •

(7B) Implementation of green

technology projects. (Energy)

Operational

hydroelectric projects

Climate smart

agriculture: reducing

importation and use of

fossil based agro-

chemical inputs;

incentivize Anaerobic

Biodigesters

Recycling

Strengthening of the

GSDS (draft).

Percentage of new

hydroelectric

projects and climate

smart agriculture

that consider future

climate risks and

impacts

Guyana Energy

Agency

• • •

54

(7C) Grid Modernization

(replacement of inefficient

generation stations, grid

reconfiguration, upgrade of

transmission and distribution

networks). (Energy)

Highly efficient energy

generation with small

greenhouse gas

emission

Greenhouse gas

emissions per

upgraded grids

Guyana Energy

Agency • • •

(7D) Updated resource assessments

and feasibility studies (hydro, wind,

solar, biomass). (Energy)

Implementation of

renewable energy

projects where suitable.

Number of

operational

renewable energy

projects.

Guyana Energy

Agency

• • •

(7E) Training of personnel in

Government institutions and tertiary

and technical/vocational education

institutes. (Education)

Inclusion of renewable

energy in the education

system.

Number of schools

with a renewable

energy program.

Guyana Energy

Agency

• • •

(7F) An implementation plan to

integrate electric vehicles and

required infrastructure. (Multi-

sectoral)

Electric vehicles for

public use

Number of electric

vehicles in use by

2030

Guyana Energy

Agency

• • •

(7G) Support fiscal incentives to

assist businesses to transition from

brown to green technologies

(Ministry of Finance; Ministry of

Business)

Less polluting business

and production facilities

Production facilities

with less emissions

and effluents

warnings/ violations

Ministry of

Finance; Ministry

of Business

• • •

55

4.3.2

Policy Directive 4: Encourage economic activity that is diversified, climate-ready and low-carbon

The Guyanese economy has historically been driven by mining and agriculture which are

dominated by domestic private companies. The services sector expands or contracts following

the lead of mining and agriculture. The expansion of the mining and agricultural sectors have a

direct impact on Guyana’s economy, and future growth prospects will continue to depend on

these primary sectors. This forward-looking policy supports transitioning the economy to

diversify the portfolio into non-traditional sectors. As a small country, Guyana’s industrial and

services sectors cannot grow by supplying domestic demand, but building export capacity

requires specialization and investment, as well as additional factors such as energy and skills,

which take time to build up. This policy, therefore, sees the imperative of climate change as

an opportunity to identify and remove factors that limit the clean and green modernization of

the mining and agricultural sectors and the growth of new, low carbon, clean secondary and

tertiary sectors. This must be done by improving the investment in climate resilience by

strengthening the property rights of miners and farmers, the simplification of land registration,

providing long-term property rights for miners and allowing sales of land by farmers. Current

weaknesses in the land rights system are deterring investment, slowing modernization, and

blocking access to finance. More generally, the private sector would also benefit from the

expansion of financial services through microcredit institutions to small and medium-sized

enterprises, which make up the vast majority of firms in the country. Recent major oil and

natural gas discoveries in the Atlantic, off Guyana’s coast, promise an oil revenue boom as

early as 2020. This will give the government and civil society a tight schedule to prepare for the

opportunities and challenges including increased carbon emissions and environmental

impacts, that can come from becoming a major petroleum producer. The Natural Resource

Fund should utilize a portion of monetary gains to offset these impacts and further Guyana’s

clean energy transition.

Policy Objective 4.1: Mainstream climate change sensitivity across

energy and extractive industries.

The extractive industries are a large part of the Guyanese economy and will be managed in a

responsible way that reduces negative environmental impacts, with particular attention to

reducing greenhouse gas emissions in extraction, processing, distribution, and all other

56

operations in the value chains. As the extractive sectors develop their long-term resource

management plans focused on generating wealth to support economic growth, this policy

encourages analysis that includes the extent of the extractable resource given economic, social

and environmental constraints. This includes implementing technologies and practices to

reduce the waste produced by extractive activities, minimize and rehabilitate their impacts on

the natural environment whether through the clearing of natural environments for production,

or the damage to surrounding natural environments through the air, soil, water, and other

forms of contamination. Emphasis will be placed on increased use of green technologies with

lower carbon intensity, be it from an increase in energy efficiency, fuel switching or other

means; and land reclamation for sustainable land management, increasing forest biomass and

carbon stocks. This policy supports the national energy development objectives while at the

same time, promoting a development trajectory that increases investments in less carbon-

intensive economic activities without compromising growth. The policy supports increasing

the efficiency of energy use per unit of Gross Domestic Product (GDP); diversifying away from

imported fossil fuels in the national economy with the deployment of indigenous renewable

energy resources; enhancing environmental sustainability by minimizing the local and global

negative environmental impact of the energy sector; and attaining universal access and

equitable geographical distribution of green energy services at the least cost to consumers.

The energy value chain includes end users that are residential and commercial users including

users in the agriculture, transport, commerce, and tourism sectors. Within each of these user

groups, most appropriate portfolios of strict, market and voluntary measures will be

supported to transition towards energy efficiency and conservation; more demand for

renewably sourced energy; and more responsible energy consumer behaviors. To these ends,

strategies will be deployed to achieve cost-effective universal access to green energy services

to meet the demands of the current and future consumer markets.

57

Action Plan for Policy Objective 4.1: Mainstream climate change sensitivity across energy and extractive industries.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeframe

(8A) Use of green technologies by mine operators with lower carbon intensity to enhance technical and operational performance. (Mining)

Implementation of green technology by all mining operators

Number of mining operators who have adopted green technology for enhancing operational performance.

Ministry of Natural Resources

• • •

(8B) Satellite imagery interpretation of mining operations to enable better monitoring and enforcement (Mining)

Compliance of all mining related agencies to meet local and international standards, and legal requirements.

Number of mining companies/operations in compliance with both local and international standards and regulations.

GGMC

• • •

(8C) Increasing forest biomass and carbon stocks. (Forestry)

Reforestation of all mined-out areas upon completion of mining activity.

Percentage of mined-out areas that have been reforested within 1 year of mining operations.

GGMC

• • •

(8D) Consider how to align and leverage the National Quality Policy that is being developed, in climate actions

Activities that contribute to the objectives of both policies

Number of projects incorporating both policies

Ministry of the Presidency; Ministry of Business

• • •

58

Policy Objective 4.2: Commit to large scale transition to cleaner

production and service industries

This policy supports the transitioning to higher value adding, cleaner manufacturing sectors in

order to shift the economic base away from carbon-intensive activities. More in-depth analyses

are required to formulate strategic plans for such efforts. Lower carbon activities can include

manufacturing that expands on existing lower-value agricultural, forestry and mineral

processing sectors; eco-tourism; and sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and fish processing.

Additionally, economic incentive measures will nudge local entrepreneurs and private

companies to invest in more efficient green technologies that will reduce operating costs,

boost competitiveness as well as lower carbon intensity of the industry. In the service sector,

tourism can be an important sector for diversification as it can support large multipliers of

supply and auxiliary businesses and employment. Efforts must focus on building public-private

partnerships to build out this low carbon diversification through drawing private investment.

Mechanisms to do so can include regulatory improvements; economic incentives;

infrastructure investments (including air and road transport, industrial clusters among others);

information, technical, and financial support programmes; technology development and

transfer programmes; public procurement mechanisms; industrial networks; and public

institutions (e.g. for export promotion and product standards).

59

Action Plan for Policy Objective 4.2: Commit to large scale transition to cleaner production and service industries

Strategic Action Expected Outcome

Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeframe

(9A) Laws, regulations and national standards for a cleaner manufacturing processes. (Manufacturing)

Manufacturing sector with cleaner emissions.

Monitor emissions of factories associated with the manufacturing sector.

Ministry of Business

• • •

(9B) Economic Incentives and regulatory improvements for ‘green’ businesses with sustainability driven business models. (Multi-sectoral)

Increase in Guyanese private sector companies with sustainability driven business model.

Number of private sector companies with a green/sustainability driven business model.

Ministry of Business

• • •

(9C) Incentives and certifications to international markets for eco-tourism. (Tourism)

Greater interest in Guyana as an eco -tourist destination

Number of tourists visits per year

Ministry of Business

• • •

60

4.3.3

Policy Directive 5: Responsible Management and Utilization of Natural Resources

Integrated natural resource management is suited to managing Guyana’s complex natural

resource challenges especially since the economy and livelihoods of people are highly

dependent on local and indigenous resources, thus heightening the tension between

livelihoods and resource conservation aims. Guyana must explicitly commit efforts to bridge

productivity enhancement, environmental protection, and social well-being through the

integrated management approach to forestry, agriculture, fisheries, and mineral extraction. In

these sectors this includes enhancing local adaptive capacity; acknowledging and addressing

trade-offs in management through participatory, conflict resolution and negotiation

processes; emphasizing sustainable livelihoods through a community-centered approach; and

offering solutions to Guyana’s development challenges through partnerships with diverse

partners. There will be increased emphasis on natural resource management within landscapes

managed by local resource users to meet their own livelihood goals and addressing issues

related to protected areas, land rights, and ownership.

Policy Objective 5.1: Maintain Guyana’s forests as a major carbon

sink.

This policy commits to managing and enhancing the ecological integrity of Guyana’s forest,

through preventative and restorative measures. Efforts will be made to understand, mitigate

and adapt to climate change and other hazards. Priority will be given to issues around climate

change as a growing threat to local livelihoods and Guyana’s macro-economic and social

development. More importantly, the effects of climate change and unplanned human

development can exponentially increase the incidences of wildfires and other biodiversity loss

in the nation’s forests. Guyana’s biologically unique savannah woodland (including “bush

islands”) and forested wetland ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to fires and

deforestation. These and other vulnerable habitats will be managed for the conservation of

biodiversity, soil fertility, water resources, and cultural value. Guyana will pursue appropriate

bilateral and multilateral compensation mechanisms for ecosystem services (e.g., REDD+).

Efforts will also focus on increasing national awareness about the role of forests in climate

change mitigation and adaptation. Emphasis will be placed on mitigating deforestation and

forest degradation, protecting vulnerable forest types, managing the increasing threat of

61

wildfires, and increased earnings from environmental services schemes. This strategy also calls

for the development of a Disaster Management Plan to address the impacts of climate

change. The designation of State Forests shall be based on periodic comprehensive reviews of

the land use policy, considering all the uses and services provided by forest resources. These

reviews will include inventories of State Forests and individual concessions, formulate and

periodically revise an economic rationale for forest revenue systems including consideration of

carbon credits to offset deforestation and degradation. This will be paired with a framework

for equitably apportioning, recovering and distributing royalties, and carbon offset payments

among stakeholders.

62

Action Plan for Policy Objective 5.1: Maintain Guyana’s forests as a major carbon sink.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome

Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeframe

(10A) Capacity building and training of agency personnel in Greenhouse Gas emissions, reporting etc. (Forestry) with specific focus on forest based CO2 emissions and removals reporting

Training of all agencies’ staff in maintaining the forests as a major carbon sink.

Number of agency staff members who have received training.

Guyana Forestry Commission

• • •

(10B) National awareness about the role of forest in climate change mitigation and adaptation. (Forestry)

Continuous National awareness campaigns about the role of forest in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Number of national awareness campaigns about the role of forest in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Guyana Forestry Commission

• • •

(10C) Conservation of forest vegetation. (Forestry)

Maintained low level of loss of timber

Annual forests losses from drivers of deforestation

Guyana Forestry Commission

• • •

63

Policy Objective 5.2: Responsible management of watersheds and

freshwater resources for human and ecological benefits.

Commitment to support comprehensive watershed management including water, forest, land,

and soil, provides a framework for assessing the ways in which those resources are used, what

affects them, and how they can best be used and protected. Climatic changes will continually

place added pressure on the health of watersheds and freshwater resource availability.

Agricultural practices also have impacts such as changes in runoff patterns, river hydrology and

groundwater recharge rates, and the pollution and siltation of downstream water bodies.

Watershed management promotes the adoption of sustainable land and water management

practices and encourages investment in climate-smart practices. By considering land and

water resources in a holistic and integrated way, watershed management can provide a

framework for the planning and implementation of measures that protect from flooding.

By assessing the vulnerability of watersheds to climate change and identifying and prioritizing

adaptation options, watershed management can play a crucial role in strengthening the

resilience and adaptive capacity of watershed communities. In many watersheds, a key

approach to ensuring resilience is likely to be sustainable forest management, because

sustainably managed forests have significant capacity to act as buffers as hydrological regimes

change. Watershed management helps mitigate climate change, especially through

afforestation and reforestation and identifying areas for carbon storage and sequestration by

forests. Also, watershed management helps reduce deforestation and forest degradation by

limiting agricultural expansion and timber harvesting. There is a high degree of overlap

between the key principles of watershed management and REDD+ safeguards. Since there is a

high level of community participation in watershed management, women are also very much

involved. Gender relations will be considered in all aspects of watershed management, and

women should be able to actively bring their contribution as key stakeholders. The policy

supports diagnostic studies, along with mapping and planning tools. It analyses upstream-

downstream linkages, establishes watershed management committees, prepares watershed

management plans, and implements improved practices and technologies.

64

Action Plan for Policy Objective 5.2: Responsible management of watersheds and freshwater resources for human and

ecological benefits.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeframe

(11A) Inventory of climate change impacts on forestry and biodiversity (Forestry)

Regular monitoring of valuable forestry and biodiversity

Number of inventories of climate change impacts on biodiversity

Guyana Forestry Commission

• • •

(11B) Protection of forest from wildfire (Forestry)

Limited damage to forests caused by wildfire

Total forest area impacted by wildfire per year

Guyana Forestry Commission

• • •

(11C) Introduction of resilient trees for adaptation to increased drought and rainfall (Forestry)

Climate resilient trees in all vulnerable areas

Percentage of climate resilient trees in vulnerable areas

Guyana Forestry Commission

• • •

65

4.4 CROSS-CUTTING

4.4.1

Policy Directive 6: Promote Equitable Participation in National Decision-Making Processes

Acting on climate change requires support, insight and the perspectives of a wide range of

people, communities, and sectors. It is a long-term challenge that is better addressed by

informed decisions. Making informed decisions require information through equitable

participation and engagement from all parties. The growing number of people, communities,

and organizations that must now respond to climate change means that a suite of various

mechanisms, tools and avenues must be identified to encourage and allow participation in

appropriate ways with targeted objectives, outcomes, outputs, and change.

This policy commits to efforts promoting three dimensions of equitable participation by

Guyanese society in charting their climate destiny and that of their future generations. Those

opportunities will be made available for equal participation at all levels of governance from

local to national levels. That accommodation will be made for all interested voices including

official representatives of large constituencies and others who may feel historically

unrepresented. Those efforts will be made to reach diverse, distant and non-traditional

stakeholders even as the bridges with proactive and known stakeholders are strengthened.

Guyana will embrace modern technologies for social networking as well as traditional avenues

and traditions relevant to Guyanese culture and history.

Policy Objective 6.1: Drive social equity for vulnerable groups

(women, youth, indigenous and aged) in national climate change

processes.

Fundamental to promoting Guyana’s development in the face of climate change, is improving

the capacities and opportunities for diverse groups of people irrespective of age, citizenship

status, sexual orientation, race, class, gender, socioeconomic status, indigenous status,

religious affiliation, abilities, geographic location or other identities to be involved. In planning

and taking climate action, Guyana is committed to the principles of human rights, social and

gender equity and equality, inclusive growth, sustainable development, and social justice as

66

a means to transform unequal power relations that perpetuate unequal development and

socio-economic disparities; and disempower diverse groups of women, men, and youth from

participating in and benefiting equally from Guyana’s development initiatives. Climate change

adds another layer of stress that vulnerable communities and groups already face. Measures

will address exclusion, gender inequality, and acknowledge the unique conditions and barriers

that limit or deny vulnerable persons and communities’ access to services, resources or

benefits related to climate change.

Efforts to resolve contradictions in Guyana’s resource management in ways that are fair to

indigenous communities will be supported. This includes forwarding an agenda that calculates

climate change impacts into planning, including plans to protect forests and other economic

and land use policies. Also addressed will be rapid mining growth and large-scale infrastructure

projects without due regard for indigenous peoples’ rights and the environment and related

plans for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) as they relate

to indigenous peoples. This policy places as foremost, indigenous peoples’ rights; meaningful

consultation on the LCDS and REDD; core safeguards restricted to titled communities and

limited title areas, eliminating potential for ‘green land grabs’; sound laws and procedures for

the title, demarcation, and protection of indigenous peoples’ lands, territories, and resources.

Priority will be given to mitigating the disproportionate impact that climate change may have

on women. Women represent more than half the agricultural labor force, and their incomes

can be minimized by crop losses dues to climate-related flooding and droughts. Mercury

contamination as a result of gold mining causes health risks to the entire population, but

women in their reproductive ages and children are particularly vulnerable. Women in rural

areas are affected more intensely due to their reliance on natural resources, responsibility for

securing water, food, and fuel with limited mobility. It is thus important to prioritize risk and

vulnerability assessments to identify gender-sensitive strategies that respond to these crises

for women. Strategies to do so include a provision of access to funds, grants, loans, and

resources directly to women; lowering of socio-cultural norms that limit women from

acquiring the information and skills necessary to escape or avoid hazards; and increasing

women’s’ knowledge and expertise on climate change mitigation, disaster reduction and

adaptation strategies.

67

Action Plan for Policy Objective 6.1: Drive social equity for vulnerable groups (women, youth, indigenous and aged) in

national climate change processes.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeframe

(12A) Access to funding/small loans. (Finance)

More climate resilient homes for vulnerable groups.

Number of climate resilient homes for persons within the vulnerable groups.

Central Housing and Planning Authority

• • •

(12B) Risk and vulnerability assessments to identify gender-sensitive strategies. (Health)

Reduced climate change impact risks to women.

Number of medical injuries to women associated with climate change impacts.

Ministry of Public Health

• • •

(12C) Capacity building and training about climate change impacts and adaptations to members within the vulnerable groups. (Multi-sectoral)

Resilience to climate change impacts by vulnerable groups.

Increase in average annual income of members within the vulnerable groups.

Office of Climate Change

• • •

68

69

Policy Objective 6.2. Report to the people of Guyana on corporate

climate responsibility, accountability, and transparency.

Delivery of effective national climate change responses makes transparency and accountability

increasingly important. This means that transparency and accountability must be built into

mitigation and adaptation actions and investments. Transparency and accountability will play

a critical role in building trust with the public and other stakeholders as climate actions are

rolled out. The means and tools for transparency and accountability reporting will be

empowering to citizens and ensure that even the poorest and most vulnerable in society are

not excluded. This policy, therefore, supports efforts that must include: providing better

quality of, and access to, information, enabling informed and effective policy decisions and

engagement in the creation and reform of institutions; taking measures in contract,

memoranda and other legal and quasi-legal instruments to hold industries from reneging on

their climate commitments; providing a robust system of accountability to manage the

difference between genuine errors leading to under-delivery versus deliberate free-riding;

enhancing transparency of investment flows; and mechanisms such as the Natural Resource

Fund and in the near future, fossil fuel production subsidies.

Efforts will also be made to strengthen third party stakeholders such as NGOs through

initiatives focused on robust engagement in climate measurement, reporting, and verification

to enhance transparency and accountability of climate actions in all sectors. One such of

importance to Guyana is Enhancing the integrity of Reduced Emissions from Deforestation,

and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programmes through coordinated overarching principles on

safeguards and increasing the transparency of land use and tenure. Concerted civil society

action is essential to obtain robust core principles for social and environmental international

safeguards for REDD+ projects and programmes. Transparency of land tenure to encourage

transparent disclosure of existing land tenure, as well as the pathways to tenure. Third-party

stakeholders with technical expertise such as academics will be empowered to serve in

positions such as established scientific review processes to understand climate vulnerabilities

in communities; incorporate necessary actions into national/regional planning processes;

develop actionable risk management tools for decision-makers at the local level.

70

Action Plan for Policy Objective 6.2. Report to the people of Guyana on climate responsibility, accountability, and

transparency.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeframe

(13A) Favorable government incentives for foreign trade and investment. (Finance)

An enabling environment for trade, investment and international cooperation on national climate change objectives.

Amount of international investments.

Ministry of Business

• • •

(13B) Trade and Industry Chambers involvement as valuable stakeholders in the climate change discussions.

Trade, industry and small business associations are uniquely positioned to distribute knowledge and develop capacities related to climate change adaptation.

Percentage of trade and industry chambers using and distributing climate information

Ministry of Business

• • •

(13C) Capacity building across government business development offices and through public-private partnerships to promote business and trade development. (Finance)

Strengthened institutional capacity to attract trade and investment for climate change objectives

More foreign investment opportunities

Ministry of Business

• • •

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4.4.2

Policy Directive 7: Drive climate change decision making that is based on leading-edge scientific evidence.

Climate change effects are accelerating, making the need for appropriate actions informed

by sound climate knowledge ever more pressing. Guyana must foster a strong

climate science–policy relationship to facilitate effective integration of climate knowledge

into national policy processes, increase public responsiveness and aligns research activity to

policy needs. Scientific evidence must be more valued in order for it to be used to inform

policy. Efforts must focus on the various interfaces between those agencies and stakeholders

responsible for or holding data and information and those that it needs to flow to for their

usage. Building an effective and dynamic science-policy interface system in Guyana requires

appropriate structures, resources, legal, and institutional mandates as well as across the

board cooperation by agencies and national actors. This policy supports strategies for

investing and cultivating motivated and capable human resources able to utilize and exchange

evidence and expertise to influence decision outcomes. There must also be a concerted effort

to make the appropriate data and expertise available throughout the national institutional

structures and systems in order for them to have an influence on plans, strategies, and

initiatives. Productive bridging between climate science and policy decision making will be

achieved when an institutionalized collective network for knowledge generation and

application is built between all partners. Given that only finite resources are available for

outreach and engagement, the success of this policy requires making a careful selection of

primary agencies to lead efforts with the support of secondary and tertiary actors. There is a

fundamental need for the availability and accessibility of high-quality technical information

in the form of data and statistics.

A great potential for enhanced climate data is arising from improvements in computing

technology (generating so-called “big data”), satellite imagery, remote sensing technology,

database integration techniques, and statistical modeling. Information and Communications

Technology (ICT) can provide and receive much greater public interaction, and links to

transactional and citizen data that can result in huge improvements in both scientific

knowledge and its understanding. One form of evidence that must be improved is the

unstructured or informal knowledge acquired from local or traditional sources and indigenous

peoples (indigenous knowledge). These sources can provide alternative routes towards

solutions to climate challenges. The availability of data and information alone is not enough.

Therefore, there must be support for the application of data and information, national

potential to learn from the data and information, and for it to be applied at multi-level and

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across sectors. There has been a movement away from accumulating data to transforming,

using and applying data and information towards tangible outcomes, goals, and objectives.

Policy Objective 7.1: Strengthening the technical capacity of national

institutions to contribute to evidence-based decision-making.

A national system for coordination of climate action must be supported, strengthened and

institutionalized so that all partners agree to roles and functions and understand their

responsibilities within the system. The form of the system will be determined through

consultations and the national needs, but the system will be charged with coordinating

information held within the national system for the purpose of generating climate sensitive

national decisions. A national environmental data management system may be an option that

can support this effort. The Office for Climate Change or other relevant national coordinating

body will lead efforts of the capacity building plan for Ministries.

To build technical capacity, once the system of relevant partners is identified, some ministries

will be supported in activities for the introduction and mainstreaming of climate change

capabilities and competencies in core ministry operations. Second, where such

mainstreaming has already been fairly established, there will be activities for strengthening

and reinforcing such knowledge and skills in relevant ministry personnel. Third, in ministry

situations where strong technical competencies already exist, activities will revolve around re-

orienting ministry personnel skills and competencies to tackling climate adaptation mandates

within the jurisdiction of their roles and the respective ministry mandates. This policy supports

efforts for capacity building that increases the existing capabilities of ministries and agencies

that have direct and/or indirect climate change adaptation mandates. The training emphasis is

on increasing their own ability to make improved contributions to national efforts within their

spheres of influence. Focus training and capacity building will be on the key sensitive sectors

and cross-sector linkages between priority thematic challenges as identified in various

national strategies and action plans. Facilitating training and capacity building that will enable

and encourage constructive dialogue between government and non-government

stakeholders for mainstreaming climate change issues into development planning will also be

central.

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Action Plan for Policy Objective 7.1: Strengthening the technical capacity of national institutions to contribute to evidence-

based decision-making.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome

Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeline

(14A) Revising of existing policies to include climate change objectives. (Multi-sectoral)

All of Guyana’s current policies will be revised to align with its climate smart vision.

Number of policies that have been amended to align with Guyana’s climate smart initiatives.

Office of Climate Change

• • •

(14B) A national data management system for climate change action. (Multi-sectoral)

A full data repository with data from all organizations and government agencies.

Number of agencies that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and contributed to the sharing of data.

Office of Climate Change

• • •

(14C) Government staff capacity building and training on climate adaptation and mitigation practices. (Multi-sectoral)

Trained government staff on Guyana’s Climate Smart vision.

Number of Ministry activities that are aligned with Guyana’s Climate Smart vision

Office of Climate Change

• • •

74

Policy Objective 7.2: Invest in and support collection, management

and use of scientific data and information for implementing climate

actions.

Guyana must invest in the needed technologies (new equipment, techniques, practical

knowledge or skills) to gain a scientific understanding of climate change to meet low carbon

objectives and reduction of the vulnerability of sectors to climate change. The collection of

climate data in Guyana is up till now very difficult and resource intensive. Given that there is

little uniformity in information and data presentation, it is essential to strengthen capacity

for the purpose of environmental planning to come to standardization. Existing research

enterprises such as the University of Guyana could potentially play a much larger role in

addressing questions of interest from decision makers as they develop, evaluate, and execute

plans to respond to climate change. Scientific research can play a key role by informing

decisions and by expanding and improving the portfolio of available options. The most critical

data needs must be assessed across all economic sectors in order to prioritize and allocate

limited resources and finances.

This policy supports a comprehensive resource prioritization plan that includes equipment and

tools acquisition, training, and systems for data management to meet national goals. Efforts

supported can include data related to understanding of climate forcings, responses, feedbacks,

and thresholds; climate-related human behaviors and institutions; support effective responses

to climate change; vulnerability and adaptation analyses such as integrative management

approaches to respond effectively to the impacts of climate change on coasts, freshwater

resources, food production systems, human health, and other sectors; support strategies for

mitigation including developing new and improved technologies for reducing GHG emissions

(such as enhanced energy efficiency technologies, wind and solar); assessing alternative

methods to limit the magnitude of future impacts (such as modifying land use practices to

increase carbon storage or geoengineering approaches). Additionally, existing capacities must

be maintained and enhanced including observational capacity for critical physical, ecological,

and social variables.

75

76

Action Plan for Policy Objective 7.2: Invest in and support collection, management and use of scientific data and information

for implementing climate actions.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome

Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeframe

(15A) Capacity building and training on standard data collection and storage. (Environment)

Standardized data collection and storage methods throughout all government agencies.

Number of agencies that follow the standardized data collection and storage methods.

Ministry of Natural Resources

• • •

(15B) Allocation of funds for equipment and software for accurate analysis. (Environment)

Accurate climate modelling and weather forecasting / research.

Number of accurate reports generated from the forecasts and scientific models.

Ministry of Natural Resources

• • •

(15C) Memorandum of Understanding between agencies for storage and use of data. (Environment)

Climate data storage and access for a range of user groups

Number of groups/agencies with access to the data (public, technical institutions, schools, government agencies etc.)

Ministry of Natural Resources

• • •

77

15(D) Improve meteorological coverage of the interior using new weather stations and share data to relevant agencies under agreed protocol

Improved and more accurate climate models

Increased references to climate models in decision making

Hydromet

• • •

78

4.4.3

Policy Directive 8: Develop and access finances and resources to achieve national climate change goals.

Climate change investments are constrained by a number of challenges, particularly related to

financial resources within Guyana. These include limited scope for debt finance and restricted

fiscal space as well as declining aid flows. Increasing debt levels have placed a drag on

economic growth while constraining the allocation of resources for productive and new

investments. Advancing the climate change will require investments in infrastructure,

conservation, research and development, institutional and human capacity development, as

well as information-sharing and knowledge-building. Considering the level of investment that

will be needed, Guyana must find new and innovative ways to finance investments in climate

change. A shift is needed in the use of available financing as well as optimal use of available

resources from all sources.

The opportunities to leverage domestic resources by blending official concessional finance

with other international resources for financing investment in climate change initiatives are

promising. Opportunities also exist for increasing available public resources as well as private

sector finance and investment for climate change initiatives. Increasing the resource envelope

to finance climate change initiatives also requires new approaches to draw upon the existing

pools of development finance. It may also require the development and piloting of new

instruments. The financing for the development landscape has become more diversified and

complex with new sources of finance such as South-South Cooperation, international climate

funds, and impact investors. In parallel, a more sophisticated range of financial instruments

and tools is being deployed in support of development: from blended finance arrangements to

green bonds, social and development impact bonds, debt-for-nature swaps, and state-

contingent debt instruments.

Heightened awareness of climate risks has encouraged many investors to consider climate

risk. Climate adaptation and mitigation presents an opportunity to potentially leverage

additional resources for investments and utilize a wide variety of new and innovative

financing models, for which both the public and private sector can partner to pool finances and

share skills, expertise and approaches. Commercial investors remain cautious, in part due to

information asymmetries and risk perception, and the majority of investments targeted at

adaptation, mitigation, and resiliency to date, have relied heavily on bilateral and multilateral

development banks to assume the associated upfront risk. Many climate change interventions

will also carry higher upfront costs and returns that will not immediately accrue to investors.

79

This underscores the need to ensure that Guyana retains access to concessional public finance

from the international community and multilateral development banks.

Policy Objective 8.1: Lead efforts to increase national domestic

budget allocations for climate change programming.

An effective way to ensure that climate change strategic action plans are implemented

through actual budget policies is to develop a climate change financing framework that would

help Guyana prioritize and allocate financial resources. This policy supports a comprehensive

framework including focusing on planning and costing climate change response actions in the

medium and longer term; and employing a whole-of-government approach that broadly

engages all relevant stakeholders toward the mobilizing, managing, and targeting of domestic

climate finance resources. Efforts can be made to bringing public sources of climate change

finance (domestic and international) into the national planning and budgeting system and

aligning private sources of climate change finance with the overall fiscal policy framework.

Certain aspects to work out will include defining what actually constitutes climate change

allocations and expenditures and ensuring accountability over the use of climate change

finance.

National climate finance must build from the existing budget process and the regulatory

instruments to address climate change more effectively. To do this will require aiding

ministries in charge of finance and planning, and institutions tasked with climate policy-

making and coordination, to better translate evidence-based policies into the budget and

other policy instruments, including innovative finance tools and green fiscal schemes. Taking

the budget process as its entry point, a framework will guide the government at all levels to

better manage public spending and investments that are climate sensitive. Efforts supported

must address the main challenges to integrating climate change into national planning and

budgeting processes. These are often the lack of coherence between climate change-related

policy-making, policy coordination and policy transmission through the budget. Efforts must

address the government’s ability to coordinate and translate climate change objectives into

the budget; review relationships between different climate-related institutions; define climate

change relevant expenditures for the review; analysis of recent trends on budget allocations

and/or public expenditures that appear relevant to climate change; recommend institutional

reforms to mainstream climate change policy in the short- and medium-term; and recommend

alignment of public expenditure for mitigation and adaptation.

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Action Plan for Policy Objective 8.1: Lead efforts to increase national domestic budget allocations for climate change

programming.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency Implementation Timeframe

(16A) Providing government Incentives to the private sector for private sector funding to achieve climate change objectives. (Finance)

Private sources of climate change finance.

Number of investments.

Ministry of Natural Resources

• • •

(16B) Government’s direct funding to the Office of Climate Change in the national budget. (Finance)

Private sources of climate change finance.

Amount of finances received from the private sector per financial year.

Ministry of Finance

• • •

(16C) Capacity building and training of all government agencies to work together to achieve a climate smart vision. (Multi-sectoral)

Sufficient National Budget allocations for climate change projects.

Amount of allocations given for climate change projects with respect to other ministry projects.

Ministry of Finance

• • •

(16D) Finance allocation within the national budget. (Finance)

Collaboration at the inter-agency and inter-ministerial levels respectively to share work plans and budgets related to climate change.

Percentage of project collaborations between agencies.

Ministry of Finance

• • •

81

(16E) Capacity Building for accessing large scale financing. (Finance)

Sufficient allocation of finances and resources to achieve national climate change adaptation and mitigation objectives. Capacity to plan for, mobilize or absorb large-scale climate finance immediately.

Percentage of allocations compared to climate change project size. Number of large scale projects to be successfully handled and completed.

Ministry of Finance

• • •

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4.4.4

Policy Directive 9. Encourage and promote cooperation on climate action between the public and private sectors.

Guyana’s transition to a low carbon, climate-resilient country requires significant investment,

innovation and, most importantly a shift in the way governments and the private sector work

together. The government must better engage with the private sector to mobilize resources,

knowledge, and innovation for addressing climate change. The importance of tackling climate

change is becoming more recognized by the private sector but is still considered a distant risk

factor by many. In the financial sector, for example, climate change is now being viewed as a

business risk that potentially affects long-term returns on investment. Optimizing resource use

for example by energy efficient retrofits, also help industry reduce costs, streamline operations

and increase efficiency. Guyana must also look at climate change as an opportunity for

innovative new products, services and market solutions in mitigation and adaptation is an

opportunity for companies to develop.

The government and the multilateral community alone cannot shoulder the burden of climate

change efforts but must look to the private sector to mobilize green investment, promote

green private sector development, and harness skills and knowledge for addressing climate

change in developing countries. Efforts must include developing clean infrastructure, reducing

energy and water use, improving the climate resilience of cities and communities, and

supporting natural capital and ecosystems. But there are challenges for private sector

engagement that this policy addresses. These include the lack of local evidence on adaptation

and mitigation outcomes. This will be derived from moving beyond demonstration projects to

scale up successful approaches. Emerging good practice must span ways to communicate the

business benefits of addressing climate issues (e.g., cost savings, reduced risks) and promote

climate ready business models. In sectors where multinational corporations and foreign

investors are gaining from the country’s natural resources, it must be very clear as to how the

people of Guyana benefit from the monetization of their heritage. Also, there must be an

emphasis on corporate social and environmental responsibility and responsible business

conduct.

Policy Objective 9.1: Coordinate climate finance and assistance

commitments from international development partners and donors.

83

Guyana will need to fully tap into existing funds for climate mitigation and adaptation while

developing innovative financing mechanisms that leverage these pools of resources. Expected

to channel a significant part of the global annual target of USD 100 billion by 2020, the Green

Climate Fund (GCF) will rely on this direct access modality through the accreditation of

National and Regional Implementation Entities, alongside financial intermediaries. This policy

supports efforts to access this Fund by submitting competitive national proposals through

appropriate channels and with relevant national and international partners. The Caribbean

Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) is looking for ways to boost the region’s access to

the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The Centre is on the hunt for proposals from the private and

public sector organizations around the region that want to work with the Centre to develop

their ideas into successful projects that are in line with their country’s national priorities to

build resilience to climate change.

Types of climate finance available vary from grants and concessional loans to guarantees and

private equity. The architecture has differing structures of governance, modalities, and

objectives. A multitude of funding channels increases the options and therefore possibilities for

Guyana to access climate finance, but can also make the process more complicated. Given

these intricacies, Guyana must ramp up its ability to tap these resources through training and

partnering with external agencies and expertise that are versed in such efforts. The Global

Environment Facility (GEF) administers the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special

Climate Change Fund under the guidance of the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP). These

funds support national adaptation plan development and implementation, although largely

through smaller scale projects. Also, the UNFCCC Adaptation Fund is financed through a 2%

levy on the sale of emission credits from the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto

Protocol and developed country grant contributions. The Climate Investment Funds

administered by the World Bank in partnership with regional development banks including the

Inter-American Development Bank. The CIFs finance programmatic interventions in selected

developing countries, with the objective of improving understanding of how public finance is

best deployed at scale to assist the transformation of development trajectories. The CIFs have

a Strategic Climate Fund, the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience, the Forest Investment

Program, and the Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Program for Low-Income Countries.

Multilateral Development Banks play a prominent role in delivering multilateral climate

finance. Many have incorporated climate change considerations into their core lending and

operations, and most MDBs now also administer climate finance initiatives with a regional or

thematic scope. The World Bank has established the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility to

explore how carbon market revenues could be harnessed to reduce emissions from

deforestation and forest degradation, forest conservation, sustainable forest management and

84

the enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+). It also manages the Partnership for Market

Readiness, aimed at helping developing countries establish market-based mechanisms to

respond to climate change and the Bio Carbon Fund, which is a public-private partnership that

mobilizes finance for sequestration or conservation of carbon in the land use sector.

85

Action Plan for Policy Objective 9.1: Coordinate climate finance and assistance commitments from international development

partners and donors.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency Implementation Timeframe

(17A) Strengthening of the national capacity through one Climate Change designated organization. (Multi-sectoral)

Use of the Office of Climate Change as the Government’s designated leader on climate change.

The number of agencies that are willing to work with the Office of Climate Change.

Office of Climate Change.

• • •

(17B) Climate Change Leadership training for high level decision makers. (Multi-sectoral)

Alignment amongst high-level decision makers that climate change is a priority.

Number of high-level decision makers that place climate change objectives as a priority.

• • •

(17C) Incentive approaches to encourage private sector financing of climate change programmes. (Finance)

Sufficient public and private sector financing to achieve climate change objectives.

Percentage of allocations compared to climate change project size.

• • •

86

17(D) Support a green business framework that also addresses building institutional inertia to work with business and share information about initiatives in the pipelines.

Develop a green business plan

Number and size of joint private-public sector projects undertaken

Ministry of Business

• • •

17(E) Mobilizing non-governmental

sources of finance for climate-

resilient infrastructure and

projects. (Trade/Finance)

Increased funding from private sector and international agencies for climate resilient infrastructure and projects.

Number of funding grants received for climate-resilient infrastructure and projects.

Office of Climate Change

• • •

87

Policy Objective 9.2. Promote conditions for employment and

livelihoods in the low carbon economy.

Forwarding this policy will have a positive effect on overall employment in climate action-

oriented sectors when implemented. This policy supports efforts on the part of the

government to allocate funds towards education and training programs can be crucial in

achieving positive overall employment outcomes from green policies. Education and training

systems that prepare workers for future labor demand needs are especially important to

smooth the transition. Special attention will be paid to Hinterland regions with a high share of

workers in ‘brown’ sectors. Further research is required to quantify all employment dimensions

expected through low carbon transition so that investments and planning can be appropriately

conducted. The successful transition towards cleaner industries can create new opportunities

for workers if the associated challenges are managed well. While comprehensive empirical

evidence of the overall employment effects of low carbon transition may not have yet been

assessed, this must be prioritized if Guyana must prepare for a labor market and skill gaps.

The education, skills, and training priority can take advantage of existing educational

infrastructure at national institutions such as the University of Guyana. This policy supports

efforts to enhance, grow and deepen the university’s capabilities and resources to support low

carbon skills and education in order to build the national human resource capacity. In addition,

within a broader national plan, emphasis will be placed on technical and vocational skills as

well as entrepreneurship training for youth; and retraining efforts for those who might be

displaced from traditional industries that become less attractive in the new low carbon

marketplace. Partnerships with regional and international institutions and donors will be

forged to enhance scholarship opportunities to fill critical skills gaps as identified through

national labor and skills assessments. Programmes will not only be at the postsecondary level

but will be infused as determined by educational experts across the curriculum of primary and

secondary school levels.

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Action Plan for Policy Objective 18. Promote conditions for employment and livelihoods in the low carbon economy.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance Indicator

Responsible Agency

Implementation Timeframe

(18A) Inclusion of ‘Green” into the formal school system. (Education)

Ensuring that children are prepared for the Green Economy through the curricula they follow and career guidance in school

Number of schools that have implemented a ‘green’ course in their curriculum.

Ministry of Education

• • •

(18B) Investments from both Government and international bodies. (Multi-sectoral)

Incentives for investment in green initiatives and non-traditional economic sectors (e.g. carbon offsets from large companies)

Number of green initiatives and green investment opportunities.

Ministry of Business

• • •

(18C) Review of sector strategies for identification of green jobs growth opportunities and plans to develop them. (Multi-sectoral)

Better informed decision making by public on possible ‘green’ incomes.

Number of persons employed in the ‘green’ industry

Ministry of Business

• • •

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Policy Objective 9.3. Focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and drive

climate ready micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Small businesses in particular face several barriers in addressing climate change, including a

lack of capacity and access to tools needed to green their businesses, poor access to finance for

low carbon technologies, and inadequate awareness of the business case for increasing

efficiency and improving resilience. Emerging approaches will take a market systems approach

to promote green growth through the development of value chains and markets for

environmental products and services. Employment, for example, provides finance to support

public-private partnerships with local companies in order to generate employment in key

value chains that will contribute to a low carbon economy in areas such as water, energy, and

waste management. This policy supports vocational training and skills development so that

poorer segments of populations can engage in these value chains. Programmes also target

improved access to finance in order to encourage uptake of low carbon technologies and

improve the environmental performance of businesses. One major area of donor effort is the

use of credit lines to incentivize businesses to invest in clean technologies.

MSEs typically lack adequate resources to access information needed to guide their decision-

making under new climate conditions, but targeted weather and climate information will help

them understand particular business risks and opportunities. The government will help MSEs

through sharing information, conducting research and development, and building skills to

understand adaptation options that help their businesses become more resilient. The

government will integrate adaptation into their development planning across agencies to

conserve resources, improve productivity, and strengthen community resilience with far-

ranging impacts for MSEs across sectors. MSEs will be trained to take advantage of the

opportunity to provide products and services to meet consumer demand in a changing

climate. Finding and producing products and services that help Guyanese consumers build

resilience, plus finding ways to better access new markets in general, can greatly help MSEs

become more resilient and prosperous. Partnering with other businesses or public entities is a

cost-effective way for MSEs to overcome having limited resources to invest in adaptation.

This can enable them to pool resources and funding and to self-insure against weather-related

shocks. A lack of available financing options is the biggest barrier facing MSEs trying to invest

in adaptation. This policy, therefore, supports more options becoming available to provide

low-risk financial instruments and support MSE adaptation investment, including insurance,

loans and seed capital.

Action Plan for Policy Objective 9.3. Focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and drive climate ready micro, small, and medium

enterprises.

Strategic Action Expected Outcome Performance

Indicator

Responsible

Agency

Implementation

Timeframe

(19A) Incentives to the business

community, unions and associations to

support MSME growth and development.

Increased

diversification of

businesses into new

business niches.

Number of

MSMEs in unions

and business

associations.

Ministry of

Business

• • •

(19B) Public procurement revisions that

require government to allocate grants and

contracts to suitably qualified MSMEs.

Increased

percentage of

government

contracts to MSMEs.

Increased year to

year percentage

of government

contracts to

MSMEs.

Ministry of

Finance

• • •

(19C) Programmes of support for small

business development and

entrepreneurship skills.

Increased women,

youth and

indigenous

involvement in new

MSMEs.

Number of new

women and

indigenous owned

MSMEs

registered.

Ministry of

Labour

• • •

SECTION C: IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUTION

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5.0 POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

The ultimate goal is to implement the actions under each Policy Objective as laid out above. In

so doing, as the respective Policy Objectives are met, then in cumulation, each respective

Policy Directive becomes fulfilled. A total of 9 Policy Directives must be fulfilled, with an initial

implementation timeframe of 10 years (2020-2030). This covers a total of 19 Policy Objectives

which are in turn met, through taking action across 69 Action Items (see Tables below).

The OCC will play the lead role in coordinating all of the implementation, however, most of the

responsibility for moving the action items forward will or already do fall under the mandates

and responsibilities of respective ministries and agencies as identified earlier. In effect

therefore, the OCC’s role is to encourage, facilitate and monitor the progress being made by

these ministries and agencies on each of the action Item fronts that are identified in the Policy.

There are several Action Items that are also the sole responsibility of the OCC to lead and

achieve, in partnership with other stakeholders as needed. These are Action Items that are

either new and not on the radar of other sectors/ ministries/ agencies to take the lead on; or

where the Action Item is ‘shared’ amongst several sectors/ ministries/ agencies but none have a

lead responsibility or where leadership is unclear.

While it is the intention to pursue all of the Policy Directives over the course of the next 10

years to start with, in reality, there must be consideration of how to prioritize taking action.

This is because of several considerations including the rallying of resources and/or expertise to

take action, the readiness of the market to implement and the time it may take build societal

or industry acceptance of certain measures. There is also the real consideration of whether to

place emphasis on adaptation and mitigation of impacts that are present and short term or

those that are long term and slow onset. There are four ways that the OCC prioritize Action

Items in order to lay out the roadmaps for policy implementation.

1. Priority because OCC must lead. Priority given to Action Items that must be owned and led

by the OCC. There are 22 such Action Items. These are identified in Table xx below.

2. Priority by Timeline. Priority given to Action Items based on the Schedule for taking action.

As noted above, across the 10-year implementation cycle, there are three estimated timelines

for Action Item implementation. First, by immediate, intensive action in the near term after

which, having built momentum, the intensity of action can be reduced over the medium and

long terms; second, by some ramp up of action in the near term followed by most intensive

action in the medium term, then as momentum builds, action intensity can taper off in the long

93

term; and third, where intensity of action builds momentum over the short and medium terms

and the most intense implementation occurs in the long term. Here, prioritization is for the

first, then second then third types of timelines. These are shown in Table xx below.

3. Priority by most cross-cutting/ co-benefitting Action Items. Implementation can be

prioritized based on those action Items that cut across the most of the 16 sectors/themes

previously identified. In this way, by focusing on such action Items, more co-benefits can be

achieved across more sectors/themes with the same or similar level of effort and resource

allocation. This can be an effective way to implement Action Items and achieve the respective

Policy Objectives. The Table below groups Action Items by the number of sectors/themes they

cover.

4. Sector Prioritization. Apart from the OCC, 16 sectors/ themes have been identified within

which Action Items can be logically clustered. These are Finance, Agriculture, Coastal Zone,

Energy, Transportation, Forestry, Water Resources, Disaster Risk Reduction, Infrastructure,

Housing, Health, Education, Business, Trade/Foreign Affairs. Mining and Tourism. These

sectors/ themes can be managed by coordination of the Action Items that fall into their

purview. These can be found in the Tables below. Additionally, some sectors/themes have

more Action Items to accomplish than others. Therefore, by focusing on those sectors/themes

that cover more Action Items, then this can be a more efficient way to overall implementation.

Table 6: Summary of ADAPTATION Implementation Plan by the Sectors/Themes across which Action Items are to be implemented PD PO

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UR

ISM

1 1.1 1A ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

1B ● ● ● ● ● ●

1C ● ● ● ● ●

1D ● ● ● ●

1.2 2A ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

2B ● ● ● ● ●

2C ● ● ● ● ●

2D ● ● ● ● ●

1.3 3A ● ● ● ●

3B ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

3C ● ● ● ●

2 2.1 4A ● ● ● ● ●

4B ● ● ● ● ●

4C ● ●

2.2 5A ● ●

5B ● ●

5C ● ● ●

2.3 6A ● ●

6B ● ●

6C ● ● ●

95

Table 7: Summary of MITIGATION Implementation Plan by the Sectors/Themes across which Action Items are to be implemented PD PO

AC

TIO

N

OC

C

FIN

AN

CE

AG

RIC

.

CO

AS

TA

L

EN

ER

GY

TR

AN

SP

T

FO

RE

ST

WA

TE

R

DR

R

INF

RA

ST

HO

US

ING

HE

AL

TH

ED

UC

AT

IO

N

BU

SIN

ES

S

FO

RE

IGN

/T

R

MIN

ING

TO

UR

ISM

3 3.1 7A ● ● ●

7B ● ● ● ● ●

7C ● ●

7D ● ● ● ● ● ●

7E ● ● ●

7F ● ● ● ● ●

7G ● ●

4 4.1 8A ●

8B ●

8C ● ●

8D ● ● ●

4.2 9A ● ● ● ● ● ●

9B ● ● ● ● ● ●

9C ● ● ● ● ●

5 5.1 10A ● ●

10B ● ●

10C ● ●

5.2 11A ●

11B ● ●

11C ● ●

96

Table 8: Summary of MITIGATION Implementation Plan by the Sectors/Themes across which Action Items are to be implemented PD PO

AC

TIO

N

OC

C

FIN

AN

CE

AG

RIC

.

CO

AS

TA

L

EN

ER

GY

TR

AN

SP

T

FO

RE

ST

WA

TE

R

DR

R

INF

RA

ST

HO

US

ING

HE

AL

TH

ED

UC

AT

IO

N

BU

SIN

ES

S

FO

RE

IGN

/TR

MIN

ING

TO

UR

ISM

6 6.1 12A ● ● ● ●

12B ● ● ● ● ● ●

12C ● ● ● ● ● ●

6.2 13A ● ● ●

13B ● ● ● ●

13C ● ● ● ●

7 7.1 14A ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

14B ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

14C ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

7.2 15A ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

15B ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

15C ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

15D ● ● ● ●

8 8.1 16A ● ● ● ● ●

16B ● ●

16C ● ● ● ●

16D ● ●

16E ● ● ● ● ●

9 9.1 17A ●

17B ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

17C ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

17D ● ● ●

17E ● ● ● ●

9.2 18A ●

18B ● ●

18C ● ●

9.3 19A ● ● ● ● ●

97

19B ● ● ● ● ●

19C ● ● ● ● ● ●

5.1 Priority because OCC must lead

Priority given to Action Items that must be owned and led by the OCC. There are 22 such

Action Items. These are identified in Table xx below. As expected, most of the Action Items

that the OCC must take lead on, are Cross-cutting in nature. This means that while multiple

ministries/ agencies are involved in the efforts, there can consequently also be co-benefits

across sectors and aggregated co-benefits on the national scale.

Table 9: Actions prioritized because the OCC must take lead

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.3 3C ●

2 2.1 4C ●

4 4.1 8D ●

4 4.2 9A ●

4 4.2 9B ●

6 6.1 12B ●

6 6.1 12C ●

6 6.2 13B ●

6 6.2 13C ●

7 7.1 14A ●

7 7.1 14B ●

7 7.1 14C ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 7.2 15C ●

8 8.1 16C ●

8 8.1 16D ●

9 9.1 17A ●

9 9.1 17B ●

9 9.1 17D ●

9 9.1 17E ●

9 9.2 18C ●

9 9.3 19C ●

5.2 Priority by Timeline

99

Priority given to Action Items based on the Schedule for taking action. As noted above, across

the 10-year implementation cycle, there are three estimated timelines for Action Item

implementation. First, by immediate, intensive action in the near term after which, having built

momentum, the intensity of action can be reduced over the medium and long terms; second,

by some ramp up of action in the near term followed by most intensive action in the medium

term, then as momentum builds, action intensity can taper off in the long term; and third,

where intensity of action builds momentum over the short and medium terms and the most

intense implementation occurs in the long term. Here, prioritization is for the first, then second

then third types of timelines. These are shown in Table xx below.

Nearly 50% of the implementation effort will be required in the first 3 years (Immediate Phase)

of the Policy being launched. Note that this does not mean that the full outcomes need to be

achieved, as many of these can take longer, but it does mean that tangible action must be

initiated. In this Immediate Phase, nearly three quarters of the Action Items to tackle fall under

Mitigation, clearly alluding to the immediate need for national ramp up of mitigative efforts

whereas most past national efforts have been more Adaptive in nature; as well as the reality of

near-term fossil fuel industry operations. About 30% of the implementation effort follows the

second timeline strategy and it is in this Year 4- Year 7 timeframe that most of the ‘cross-

cutting’ Action Items (about 60% of all ‘cross-cutting actions) become the focus. In the Final

Phase of the 10 Year implementation timeframe, the remaining 20% of the Action Plans come

into earnest focus, given the ground work completed earlier.

Table 10: Action prioritized by timeframe for initiation

Immediate – Mid – Final - Phases

PD PO Action Items

• • •

1 1.1 1A, 1B, 1D

1.2 2B

1.3 3B, 3C

2 2.1 4A

2.3 6A, 6B, 6C

3 3.1 7D, 7E

4 4.1 8A, 8C

4.2 9A, 9B, 9C

100

5 5.1 10A, 10B, 10C

5.2 11B, 11C

6.1 12A, 12B

6.2 13A, 13B, 13C

7.1 14A

7.2 15A

8.1 16C, 16E

9.1 17A, 17B, 17D

• • •

1 1.2 2A, 2C

1.3 3A

2 2.2 5B, 5C

3 3.1 7A, 7G

4 4.1 8B, 8D

5 5.2 11A

6 6.1 12C

6.2 13A

7 7.1 14C

7.2 15B, 15C, 15D

8 8.1 16A

9 9.1 17C

9.2 18A, 18C

9.3 19B

• • •

1 1.1 1C

1.2 2D

2 2.1 4B, 4C

2.2 5A

101

3 3.1 7B, 7C, 7F

7 7.1 14B

8 8.1 16B, 16D

9 9.1 17E

9.2 18B

9.3 19A, 19C

5.3 Priority by most cross-cutting/ co-benefitting Action Items

Implementation can be prioritized based on those Action Items that cut across the most of the

16 sectors/themes previously identified. In this way, by focusing on such Action Items, more

co-benefits can be achieved across more sectors/themes with the same or similar level of effort

and resource allocation. This can be an effective way to implement Action Items and achieve

the respective Policy Objectives. The Table below groups Action Items by the number of

sectors/themes they cover.

Focusing implementation on groups 1 and 2 below will intersect the most sectors/ themes

simultaneously. Therefore, prioritizing these Action Items could leverage multiple stakeholder

efforts at the same time and synergies between the multiple stakeholder efforts could benefit

all the sectors involved. Action Items in Groups 1 and 2 each involve between 12- 16 of the

sectors/themes as noted in Tables xxx above. This also means that these groups of Action

Items will also require the most coordination effort from the OCC and leadership, in order to

organize implementation effectively. About 46% of Action Items fall into groups 3 and 4 where

they cross between 4-11 sectors/themes. About 8% of Action Items (group 5) only need to be

coordinated across 1-2 sectors/themes and therefore require much less coordination effort, but

may also not accrue as much cross sectoral benefit.

Table 11: Actions prioritized by number of sectors/themes they cut across

Priority Groups based on Number of Sectors/ Themes covered

PD PO Action Items

(1) Highest Potential Cross-cutting co-benefits with Most Significant Cross-Coordination Effort Required

9 9.1 17B

7 7.2 15A, 15B, 15C

102

(2) High Potential Cross-cutting co-benefits with Significant Cross-Coordination Effort Required

1 1.1 1A

1 1.2 2A

1 1.3 3B

7 7.1 14A, 14B, 14C

9 9.1 17C

(3) High Potential Cross-cutting

co-benefits with Some Cross-

Coordination Effort Required

1 1.1 1B, 1C

1 1.2 2B, 2C

2 2.1 4A, 4B

3 3.1 7B, 7D, 7F

4 4.2 9A, 9B, 9C

6 6.1 12B, 12C

8 8.1 16A, 16E

9 9.3 19A, 19B

(4) Lower Potential Cross-cutting

co-benefits with Some Cross-

Coordination Effort Required

1 1.1 1D

1 1.2 2D

1 1.3 3A, 3C

2 2.1 4C

2 2.2 5A, 5B, 5C

2 2.3 6A, 6B, 6C

3 3.1 7A, 7C, 7G, 7E

4 4.1 8C, 8D

5 5.1 10A, 10B, 10C

5 5.2 11B, 11C

6 6.1 12A

6 6.2 13A, 13B, 13C

8 8.1 16B, 16D

103

9 9.1 17D, 17E

9 9.2 18B, 18C

(5) Least Potential Cross-cutting

co-benefits with Little Cross-

Coordination Effort Required

4 4.1 8A, 8B

5 5.2 11A

9 9.1 17A

9 9.2 18A

5.4 Sector Prioritization Apart from the OCC, 16 sectors/ themes have been identified within which Action Items can be logically clustered. These are Finance, Agriculture, Coastal Zone, Energy, Transportation, Forestry, Water Resources, Disaster Risk Reduction, Infrastructure, Housing, Health, Education, Business, Trade/Foreign Affairs. Mining and Tourism. These sectors/ themes can be managed by coordination of the Action Items that fall into their purview. These can be found in the Tables below. Additionally, some sectors/themes have more Action Items to accomplish than others. Therefore, by focusing on those sectors/themes that cover more Action Items, then this can be a more efficient way to overall implementation.

Table 12: Policy Implementation Plan for the FINANCE sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.2 2A ●

1 1.3 3A ●

1 3B ●

2 2.1 4A ●

2 4B ●

2 2.2 5A ●

2 5B ●

2 5C ●

3 7B ●

3 7D ●

3 7F ●

3 7G ●

4 8C ●

104

4 8D ●

4 4.2 9A ●

4 9B ●

4 9C ●

6 6.1 12A ●

6 6.2 13A ●

6 13B ●

6 13C ●

7 14B ●

7 14C ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

8 8.1 16A ●

8 16B ●

8 16C ●

8 16D ●

8 16E ●

9 17B ●

9 17C ●

9 17D ●

9 17E ●

9 18B ●

9 9.3 19A ●

9 19B ●

9 19C ●

Table 13: Policy Implementation Plan for the AGRICULTURE sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.1 1A ●

1 2C ●

2 2.1 4A ●

2 2.3 6A ●

2 6B ●

2 6C ●

3 7D ●

4 4.2 9A ●

4 9B ●

105

6 6.1 12A ●

6 12B ●

6 12C ●

7 7.1 14A ●

7 14B ●

7 14C ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

7 15D ●

8 8.1 16A ●

9 17B ●

9 17C ●

9 9.3 19A ●

9 19B ●

9 19C ●

Table 14: Policy Implementation Plan for the COASTAL ZONE

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.1 1A ●

1 1D ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

9 17B ●

Table 15: Policy Implementation Plan for the ENERGY sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.2 2A ●

1 2C ●

1 2D ●

1 3B ●

2 2.1 4A ●

106

3 7B ●

3 7C ●

3 7D ●

3 7E ●

3 7F ●

4 4.2 9A ●

4 9B ●

5 5.1 10A ●

7 7.1 14A ●

7 14B ●

7 14C ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

8 8.1 16A ●

8 16E ●

9 17B ●

9 17C ●

9 9.3 19A ●

9 19B ●

9 19C ●

Table 16: Policy Implementation Plan for the TRANSPORTATION sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.1 1A ●

1 1B ●

1 1D ●

1 1.2 2A ●

1 2D ●

1 3B ●

2 4B ●

3 3.1 7A ●

3 7B ●

3 7F ●

7 7.1 14A ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

8 16E ●

107

9 17B ●

9 17C ●

Table 17: Policy Implementation Plan for the FORESTRY sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.1 1A ●

1 2C ●

1 3B ●

2 2.1 4A ●

2 2.3 6A ●

2 6B ●

2 6C ●

3 3.1 7A ●

3 7D ●

3 7E ●

4 8C ●

4 4.2 9A ●

4 9B ●

5 5.1 10A ●

5 10B ●

5 10C ●

5 5.2 11A ●

5 11B ●

5 11C ●

6 6.1 12A ●

6 12B ●

6 12C ●

7 7.1 14A ●

7 14B ●

7 14C ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

8 8.1 16A ●

9 17B ●

9 17C ●

9 9.3 19A ●

9 19B ●

9 19C ●

109

Table 18: Policy Implementation Plan for the WATER RESOURCES sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.1 1A ●

1 1.2 2A ●

1 2D ●

2 6C ●

3 7E ●

4 4.1 8A ●

7 7.1 14A ●

7 14B ●

7 14C ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

7 15D ●

9 17B ●

Table 19: Policy Implementation Plan for the DISASTER RISK REDUCTION sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.1 1A ●

1 1D ●

1 1.2 2A ●

1 2B ●

1 2C ●

1 2D ●

5 11B ●

7 7.1 14A ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

7 15D ●

9 17B ●

110

Table 20: Policy Implementation Plan for the INFRASTRUCTURE sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.1 1A ●

1 1B ●

1 1C ●

1 1D ●

1 1.2 2A ●

1 2B ●

1 1.3 3A ●

1 3B ●

1 3C ●

2 4B ●

3 7C ●

3 7D ●

3 7F ●

4 9C ●

7 7.1 14A ●

7 14B ●

7 14C ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

7 15D ●

8 16E ●

9 17B ●

9 17C ●

9 17E ●

Table 21: Policy Implementation Plan for the HOUSING sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.1 1A ●

1 1B ●

1 1C ●

1 1.2 2A ●

111

1 2B ●

1 2D ●

1 1.3 3A ●

1 3B ●

1 3C ●

2 4B ●

6 12B ●

6 12C ●

7 7.1 14A ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

9 17B ●

Table 22: Policy Implementation Plan for the HEALTH sector

PD PO A

CT

ION

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1B ●

1 1C ●

1 1.2 2A ●

1 2B ●

1 3B ●

6 12B ●

6 12C ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

9 17B ●

Table 23: Policy Implementation Plan for the EDUCATION sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1B ●

1 1C ●

112

1 2B ●

1 3B ●

2 4C ●

2 2.2 5A ●

2 5C ●

3 7E ●

4 9C ●

5 10B ●

6 12B ●

6 12C ●

7 14B ●

7 14C ●

7 7.2 15A ●

7 15B ●

7 15C ●

8 16C ●

9 17B ●

9 9.2 18A ●

9 18C ●

Table 24: Policy Implementation Plan for the BUSINESS sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

1 1.1 1A ●

1 1B ●

1 1C ●

1 2C ●

1 1.3 3A ●

1 3B ●

1 3C ●

2 2.1 4A ●

2 4B ●

2 5B ●

2 5C ●

3 3.1 7A ●

3 7B ●

3 7D ●

3 7F ●

3 7G ●

113

4 8D ●

4 4.2 9A ●

4 9B ●

4 9C ●

6 6.1 12A ●

6 6.2 13A ●

6 13B ●

6 13C ●

8 8.1 16A ●

17B ●

17C ●

17D ●

9.3 19A ●

19B ●

19C ●

Table 25: Policy Implementation Plan for the FOREIGN AFFAIRS/ TRADE sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

3 7B ●

6 6.2 13A ●

6 13B ●

6 13C ●

8 16B ●

8 16C ●

8 16E ●

9 17B ●

9 17C ●

9 17E ●

9 18B ●

Table 26: Policy Implementation Plan for the MINING sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

114

4 4.1 8A ●

4 8B ●

9 17B ●

Table 27: Policy Implementation Plan for the TOURISM sector

PD PO

AC

TIO

N

AD

AP

TA

TIO

N

MIT

IGA

TIO

N

CR

OS

S-

CU

TT

ING

4 9C ●

9 17B ●

115

5.5 STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY THAT SUPPORTS THE GREEN STATE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.

Policy

Directive

Policy

Objectives

Green State Development Strategy

(and other relevant plans)

Sound fiscal and monetary policy

8.3 To allow for wealth management, especially from the oil

sector for public investments that align with the United

Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals

Green jobs and inclusive economic diversification

9.1 Adaptation of greener operating practises at the work

place

9.2 The achievement of higher levels of productivity and

sustainability through adaptation of advanced

technology and management best practises in all sectors

and industry

Sustainable management of natural resources

2.1 The Strengthening of the suite of forest management

tools, measures and plans, along with the involvement of

key stakeholders and indigenous experts in joint forest

resource management, monitoring and research. Along

with the advanced certification of technical and

vocational training for effective forest management and

monitoring.

2.3 Improvement to geospatial mineral resource mapping

and quantification. In addition to, research and study

options for using financial securities to rehabilitate

mining sites.

Transition to renewable energy

3.1 Prioritised investments in energy efficiency across all

economic sectors, buildings and industry operations.

3.2 A shift towards a higher efficiency vehicular fleet through

116

a mix of incentive programmes and technologies e.g. fuel

diversification, non-motorized transport and road sharing

initiatives.

3.3 Transition to the use of renewable and clean energy

supplies with an optimized mix developed from its

natural capital e.g. oil and natural gas reserves,

renewable energy and biofuel resources.

Resilient infrastructure, green towns and urban public

spaces

1.1 Provision of high quality land and river transport

connections throughout Guyana, lowering transport costs

and environmental impacts on a per kilometre basis.

Provision of cost competitive and relatively low-carbon

shipping and air transport options for businesses and

citizens.

Provision of effective: Information and Communication

Technologies and services; Coastal Protection

Infrastructure; and Green Urban Settlement

Infrastructure.

Healthy, educated and socially cohesive population

6.1 Promotion of the population as healthy and educated

with the means to meaningfully participate in economic

activity.

Good governance and strong institutions

7.1 Cultivating the ability of Institutions to ably manage the

country’s affairs, by being accountable and actively

implementing the ‘green state’ agenda.

9.4 Promotion of the transparency of Public institutions in

decision-making by making information freely available

to the general public.

Ensuring that the Business operating environment

operates by fair and transparent rules with redress

provided by an independent and more efficient judiciary.

Trade, investment and international cooperation

8.2 The facilitation of economic growth by: opening up

access to large consumer export markets and a wider

variety of import goods and services; lowering the

transaction costs of trading with international partners;

117

and helping foreign investors identify investment

opportunities.

5.6 SUPPORTING NATIONAL REPORTING ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 13

SDG TARGET SDG INDICATOR POLICY DIRECTIVE POLICY OBJECTIVE ACTIONS

Strengthen

resilience and

adaptive capacity to

climate-related

hazards and natural

disasters in all

countries

Proportion of local

governments that

adopt and implement

local disaster risk

reduction strategies in

line with national

disaster risk reduction

strategies

Policy Directive #1: The

establishment of climate

resilient human

development.

PO1 – Policy

Objective 1

The establishment of

resilient

infrastructure, green

towns and urban

public centers, in

keeping with

Guyana’s green vision

and the national

climate change

objectives.

1. Creation of

National Land Policy

and Land Use Plans

that guide land use

in Guyana.

2. Capacity building

and training on

climate resilient

practises.

3. Development and

implementation of

climate resilient

building codes.

Number of deaths,

missing persons and

persons affected by

disaster per 100,000

Policy Directive #1: The

establishment of climate

resilient human

development.

PO3 – Policy

Objective 3

The minimization of

1. Policies and

coordination

mechanisms that

119

people

productivity and

livelihood losses, by

strengthening the

country’s capacity to

cope with the

aftermath of hazards

and disasters

support the country’s

capacity to cope with

the aftermath of

hazards and

disasters.

2. Training and

capacity building of

both the Civil

Defense and Local

Municipality staff to

respond to hazards

and disasters

effectively.

3. Education of the

population in disaster

response.

Number of countries

with national and local

disaster risk reduction

Policy Directive #1: The

establishment of climate

resilient human

PO2 – Policy

Objective 2

1. Scientific analysis

of coastal processes

120

strategies

development. Climate adaptation

across Guyana’s

geography (e.g.

coastal vs. hinterland,

cities vs. rural) as per

the national climate

change adaptation

and mitigation

objectives.

for the construction

of coastal defence

structures.

2. National early

warning system for

climate change

impacts.

3. Mobilising non-

governmental

sources of finance for

climate-resilient

infrastructure and

projects.

Integrate climate

change measures

into national

policies, strategies

and planning

Number of countries

that have

communicated the

establishment or

operationalization of an

integrated

Policy Directive #2: The

establishment of

Integrated Natural

Resource Management

Systems

PO5 – Policy

Objective 5

The promotion of the

National Climate

1. Capacity building

and training of

agency personnel in

Green House Gas

121

policy/strategy/plan

which increases their

ability to adapt to the

adverse impacts of

climate change, and

foster climate resilience

and low greenhouse gas

emissions development

in a manner that does

not threaten food

production (including a

national adaptation

plan, nationally

determined

contribution, national

communication,

biennial update report

or other)

Change Policy by

maintaining Guyana’s

forests as a major

carbon sink

emissions, reporting

etc.

2. National

awareness about the

role of forest in

climate change

mitigation and

adaptation.

3. Conservation of

forest vegetation.

Improve education,

awareness-raising

and human and

institutional

capacity on climate

change mitigation,

adaptation, impact

reduction and early

Number of countries

that have integrated

mitigation, adaptation,

impact reduction and

early warning into

primary, secondary and

tertiary curricula

Policy Directive #6.

Climate Change training

and education

PO14 – Policy

Objective 14

To generate shifts in

the behaviour of the

population towards a

1. Inclusion of

climate change and

sustainable

development

education through

the formal education

122

warning

more climate smart

lifestyle

channels and

curriculum.

2. Laws enforcing a

more climate smart

lifestyle by citizens.

3. Government

incentives for the

creation of

community and Non-

Government

organisations that

promote a climate

smart lifestyle

Number of countries

that have

communicated the

strengthening of

institutional, systemic

and individual capacity-

building to implement

Policy Directive #7.

Building the scientific

data and evidence base to

support national climate

change decision-making

systems

PO15 – Policy

Objective 15

For the creation of

good governance

and strong

1. Revising of

existing policies to

include climate

change objectives.

2. A national data

123

adaptation, mitigation

and technology

transfer, and

development actions

institutions by

strengthening the

capacity of national

institutions to

promote climate

change objectives

over the long term.

management system

for climate change

action.

3. Government staff

capacity building and

training on climate

adaptation and

mitigation practises.

Implement the

commitment

undertaken by

developed-country

parties to the

United Nations

Framework

Convention on

Climate Change to a

goal of mobilizing

jointly $100 billion

annually by 2020

from all sources to

address the needs

of developing

Mobilized amount of

United States dollars

per year starting in

2020 accountable

towards the $100 billion

commitment

Policy Directive #8.

Commitment of

resources to Climate

Change goals

PO18 – Policy

Objective 18

Improving trade,

investment and

international

corporation in

accordance with the

national climate

change objectives.

1. Favourable

government

incentives for foreign

trade and

investment.

2. Trade and industry

Chambers

involvement as

valuable stakeholders

in the climate change

124

countries in the

context of

meaningful

mitigation actions

and transparency

on implementation

and fully

operationalize the

Green Climate Fund

through its

capitalization as

soon as possible

discussions.

3. Capacity building

of Ministry of

Business and related

agencies.

Promote mechanisms

for raising capacity for

effective climate

change-related

planning and

management in least

developed countries

and small island

developing States,

including focusing on

women, youth and local

and marginalized

communities

Policy Directive #4.

Creation of Equitable

Participation

PO10 – Policy

Objective 10

To create equal

opportunity and

promote social equity

for vulnerable groups

(women, youth,

indigenous and aged)

through climate

change adaptation

1. Access to

funding/small loans.

2. Risk and

vulnerability

assessments to

identify gender-

sensitive strategies.

3. Capacity building

and training about

climate change

125

and mitigation

objectives.

impacts and

adaptations to

members within the

vulnerable groups.

Number of least

developed countries

and small island

developing States that

are receiving

specialized support, and

amount of support,

including finance,

technology and

capacity-building, for

mechanisms for raising

capacities for effective

climate change-related

planning and

management, including

focusing on women,

youth and local and

marginalized

communities

Policy Directive #8.

Commitment of

resources to Climate

Change goals

PO20– Policy

Objective 20

Coordination,

alignment and

commitment of

development

partners and donor

agencies, and

international NGO

partners aiding

Guyana to achieve

climate change

objectives.

1.Strengthening of

the national capacity

through one Climate

Change designated

organisation.

2. Climate Change

Leadership training

for high level

decision makers

3. Funding

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ANNEX I ANALYSIS OF POLICY ALIGNMENT BETWEEN POLICY DIRECTIVES AND OTHER KEY NATIONAL POLICIES

Policy Directive 1. The establishment of climate resilient human development and current national policies and frameworks

Policy Character of

131

Objective Relevant National Policies Alignments

1,2,3

TNA Report. Technology Needs Assessment. Identifying & Prioritizing Mitigation Technologies as part of Guyana’s Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) Project. 2016. Provided technology prioritization for both the Forests and Energy Sector

+++

1 ENERGY POLICY of Guyana. 1994. The National Energy Policy Committee, Guyana. The objectives are to ensure energy is used in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner.

++

1 Framework of the Guyana Green State Development Strategy and Financing Mechanisms. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. It lays out the elements to be examined and consulted upon during the course of the Green State Development Strategy’ development

+

1 Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040. 2018. Republic of Guyana. This provides a comprehensive set of strategic action lines to guide public investment over the next 20 years in achieving sustainable and inclusive development

+++

1,3 Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Technology Action Plan for Adaptation. 2018. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. “The TAP provides action plans for the prioritized adaptation technologies”.

+++

1,2 Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Technology Action Plan for Mitigation. 2018. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. actions and activities are identified (based on identified measures to overcome barriers) to support the successful transfer of the prioritized technologies in the Forest and Energy sectors

++

3 National Integrated Disaster Risk Management Plan and Implementation Strategy for Guyana. Integrated Disaster Risk Management Implementation Strategy. 2013. Evan Green, Civil Defense Commission: Guyana, IDB. The reports vision is to produce a more sustainable and safer Guyana with reduced risk and enhanced resilience to impacts and consequences of the key hazards.

++

1,2,3 Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation. Final Report. +++

132

Identification and Prioritization of Adaptation Technologies for Guyana. 2016. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. Provides the technological assessment for the agriculture sector, water sector, and coastal low-lying areas

1,2,3 Technology Needs Assessment Report II. Barrier Analysis and Enabling Framework for Adaption. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. Shows the identification and analysis of barriers hindering the acquisition of technologies for the agriculture sector, water sector, and coastal low lying areas

+++

3 The Effects of El Nino in the Rupununi (Region 9) – Guyana. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. Presents the: effects of the El Nino on food security and the priority needs for agriculture resumption and enhancing resilience in the agriculture sector

++

1,2,3 TNA Project. Technology Needs Assessment. Barrier Analysis and Enabling Framework Report for Mitigation. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana.

+++

1,2,3 TNA Report. Technology Needs Assessment. Identifying & Prioritizing Mitigation Technologies as part of Guyana’s Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) Project. 2016. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana.

+++

2 Preparation of a costed sea and river defense sector policy. Republic of Guyana. Integrated Sea and River Defense Sector Strategy. February 2016. European Commission. Prepared by M. Sturm, H. Bosch, N. Palmvang. “This policy is formulated around the four general policy principles of 1) Coastal zone as one complex system, 2) Safety for people and assets, 3) Dynamic hold-the-line-and-extend policy and 4) Institutional and legislative reform.”

+

Character of Alignment: +++ = Very Strong; ++ = Strong; + = Moderate

Policy Directive 2. The establishment of Integrated Natural Resource Management Systems and current national policies and frameworks.

Policy Objective

Relevant National Policies

Character of Alignments

133

1,2,3

ACT No. 6 of 2009. FORESTS ACT 2009. Guyana. This Act involves: the sustainable management of state forests; Permits, Forest Conservation, Conveyance of Forest Produce and Fees and Charges and Levies.

+++

1,3 ACT No. 14 of 2011. PROTECTED AREAS ACT 2011. “Part III: The national protected areas system, Part IV: Establishment of the National Protected areas, Part Vi: Protected areas management, Part X: Enforcement and offences in national protected areas.”

++

1 BILL NO 14 OF 2016. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT BILL 2016. Guyana. The Act provides “for the protection, conservation, management, sustainable use, internal and external trade of Guyana’s wildlife.”

2 Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040. 2018. Republic of Guyana. This provides a comprehensive set of strategic action lines to guide public investment over the next 20 years in achieving sustainable and inclusive development

+++

1,2,3 Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Technology Action Plan for Mitigation. 2018. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. actions and activities are identified (based on identified measures to overcome barriers) to support the successful transfer of the prioritized technologies in the Forest and Energy sectors

+++

1 Guyana’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2012-2020). 2014. Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Guyana.

++

1,3 GUYANA NATIONAL FOREST POLICY STATEMENT. 1997. Guyana.

++

2 Low Carbon Development Strategy. Transforming Guyana’s Economy while Combating Climate Change. Office of the President, Guyana. Low Carbon Development Strategy Update. Transforming Guyana’s Economy While Combating Climate Change. 2013. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. “LCDS aims to achieve two goals: achieve greater economic

+++

134

and social development by following a low carbon development path; provide a model for the world of how climate change can be addressed through low carbon development in developing countries This update to the LCDS provides a summary of progress against both of these goals

2 National Forest Plan (Draft). 2001. Guyana Forestry Commission. Sustainable management of the Forest Sector

++

3 National Mineral Sector Policy Framework and Actions, 2019-2029. Ministry of Natural Resources Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Prepared by S. Lowe, W. Woolford, and K.Uvan. This paper presents “ background briefs, visions, principles, policies and main strategies and actions for developing the mineral sector, inclusive of policy implementation.”

+++

1,2,3 The Little REDD+ Book. An updated guide to governmental and non-governmental proposals for reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation. 2009. Charlie Parker, Andrew Mitchell, Mandar Trivedi, and Niki Mardas, Global Canopy Programme. “Purpose is to give a better understanding about reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation

+++

Character of Alignment: +++ = Very Strong; ++ = Strong; + = Moderate

Policy Directive 3. The implementation and use of green technology and current national policies and frameworks.

Policy Objective

Relevant National Policies

Character of Alignments

1,2,3

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation. Final Report. Identification and Prioritization of Adaptation Technologies for Guyana. 2016. It aims “at prioritizing technologies for adaptation in Guyana.”

+++

TNA Report. Technology Needs Assessment. Identifying &

135

2,3

Prioritizing Mitigation Technologies as part of Guyana’s Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) Project. 2016. Provided technology prioritization for both the Forests and Energy Sector

+++

3 Draft National Energy Policy of Guyana – Report 2 – Green paper. Roland Clarke, IDB. This policy is intended to move Guyana towards a goal of 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2025.

+++

1,2,3 Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Technology Action Plan for Adaptation. 2018. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. “The TAP provides action plans for the prioritized adaptation technologies”.

+++

1,2 Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation. Final Report. Identification and Prioritization of Adaptation Technologies for Guyana. 2016. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. Provides the technological assessment for the agriculture sector, water sector, and coastal low-lying areas.

+++

1,2 Technology Needs Assessment Report II. Barrier Analysis and Enabling Framework for Adaption. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. Shows the identification and analysis of barriers hindering the acquisition of technologies for the agriculture sector, water sector, and coastal low-lying areas

+++

1,2,3 TNA Project. Technology Needs Assessment. Barrier Analysis and Enabling Framework Report for Mitigation. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana.

+++

1,2,3 TNA Report. Technology Needs Assessment. Identifying & Prioritizing Mitigation Technologies as part of Guyana’s Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) Project. 2016. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana.

+++

Character of Alignment: +++ = Very Strong; ++ = Strong; + = Moderate

Policy Directive 4. Creation of Equitable Participation and current national policies and frameworks.

136

Policy Objective

Relevant National Policies

Character of Alignments

1

ACT No. 6 of 2006. AMERINDIAN ACT 2006. Section 48. (1) on Mining

++

1

Climate Landscape Analysis for Children. An Assessment of the impact of climate, energy, and environment on children in Guyana. 2018. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This research presents the “Knowledge and data gaps and issues for further research; Strategic entry points for the CO (mainstreaming and stand-alone); Strategic partnerships; Opportunities for leveraging climate finance for improved results for children; What UNICEF can bring to the table in potential joint proposals and partnerships.”

+++

1

CHAPTER 20:05. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT.1996. Guyana. Sees to the sustainable use of natural resources, the management, conservation and protection of the environment.

++

1 Guyana Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper 2011-2015. 2011. Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Provides: a poverty analysis, a review of governance, regulatory reforms and economic policies and infrastructure to support growth.

++

1 Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, Forests and Climate Policies in Guyana. A special report. May 2014. Amerindian Peoples Association. Forest Peoples Programme. A comprehensive review of laws, policies, issues facing indigenous people and the progress of Guyana’s LCDS and REDD as it related to indigenous people.

+++

1 National Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy for Guyana. 2018. Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Ministry of Social Protection. This includes the National Context of gender inequality and social exclusion; national gender equality and social inclusion policy framework; and the institutional and national action plan for implementation.

+++

137

Character of Alignment: +++ = Very Strong; ++ = Strong; + = Moderate

Policy Directive 5. Maintenance of Guyana’s diverse economy in the face of potentially large socio-economic shifts and current national policies and frameworks.

Policy Objective

Relevant National Policies

Character of Alignments

1 Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040. 2018. Republic of Guyana. This provides a comprehensive set of strategic action lines to guide public investment over the next 20 years in achieving sustainable and inclusive development

+++

1 Draft Climate Resilience Strategy and Action Plan for Guyana. 2015. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. “This report presents: a summary of the most significant climate risks and required resilience actions across 15 key sectors; a set of capacity building actions that enhance Guyana’s capacity for national adaptation planning and becoming climate resilient and a strategy for financing.”

+++

2 Food and Nutrition Security Strategy for Guyana. July 2011. Government of Guyana. Ministry of Agriculture.

++

1 Framework of the Guyana Green State Development Strategy and Financing Mechanisms. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. It lays out the elements to be examined and consulted upon during the course of the Green State Development Strategy’ development

++

1 Guyana’s National Science and Technology Policy. 2014. Harnesses Science & Technology for social, economic and climate change issues

+

2 Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation. Final Report. Identification and Prioritisation of Adaptation Technologies for Guyana. 2016. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. Provides the technological assessment for the agriculture sector, water

+++

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sector, and coastal low-lying areas.

2 Technology Needs Assessment Report II. Barrier Analysis and Enabling Framework for Adaption. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. Shows the identification and analysis of barriers hindering the acquisition of technologies for the agriculture sector, water sector, and coastal low-lying areas.

+++

2 The Effects of El Nino in the Rupununi (Region 9) – Guyana. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. Presents the: effects of the El Nino on food security and the priority needs for agriculture resumption and enhancing resilience in the agriculture sector

++

Character of Alignment: +++ = Very Strong; ++ = Strong; + = Moderate

Policy Directive 6. Climate Change training and education and current national policies and frameworks.

Policy Objective

Relevant National Policies

Character of Alignments

1,2

1. Addressing Climate Change. 2. The Impacts of Climate Change. Office of the President, Guyana. “Brochures for education on climate change, mitigation/adaption and Guyana’s commitment to international treaties.”

++

1,2 Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040. 2018. Republic of Guyana. This provides a comprehensive set of strategic action lines to guide public investment over the next 20 years in achieving sustainable and inclusive development

++

1 Guyana’s National Science and Technology Policy. 2014. Harnesses Science & Technology for social, economic and climate change issues

+

Character of Alignment: +++ = Very Strong; ++ = Strong; + = Moderate

139

Policy Directive 7. Building the scientific data and evidence base to support national climate change decision-making systems and current national policies and frameworks.

Policy Objective

Relevant National Policies

Character of Alignments

2

Analysis of Drainage System in Georgetown, Guyana. 2016. Delft University of Technology. “Analysis of Georgetown’s drainage system for more informed decision making.”

+++

2

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation. Final Report. Identification and Prioritization of Adaptation Technologies for Guyana. 2016. It aims “at prioritizing technologies for adaptation in Guyana.”

+++

2

Building Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood: Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management and Reduction in the Agriculture Sector in Guyana. Baseline Needs Assessment Report. Climate Information and Community-based Early Warning Systems. 2016. UNDP. This is a “ baseline needs assessment on climate information and early warning systems for farmers in Guyana.”

+++

1 CCORAL Caribbean Climate Online Risk & Adaptation Tool. Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre. A risk assessment tool to aid in better decision making for climate change

+

1,2 Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Technology Action Plan for Adaptation. 2018. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. “The TAP provides action plans for the prioritized adaptation technologies”.

+++

2 Guyana: Initial National Communication in Response to its commitments to the UNFCC. 2002. National Task Force, Guyana. Consists mainly of baseline data, mitigation, and adaptation analysis

+++

140

1,2 Guyana: Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2012. Government of Guyana. Consists of: greenhouse gas inventory; mitigation and abatement analysis; vulnerability and adaptation assessment; public education initiatives and gaps and constraints

+++

1,2 Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation. Final Report. Identification and Prioritization of Adaptation Technologies for Guyana. 2016. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. Provides the technological assessment for the agriculture sector, water sector, and coastal low lying areas

+++

1,2 Technology Needs Assessment Report II. Barrier Analysis and Enabling Framework for Adaption. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. Shows the identification and analysis of barriers hindering the acquisition of technologies for the agriculture sector, water sector, and coastal low-lying areas.

+++

1,2 TNA Project. Technology Needs Assessment. Barrier Analysis and Enabling Framework Report for Mitigation. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana.

+++

1,2 TNA Report. Technology Needs Assessment. Identifying & Prioritizing Mitigation Technologies as part of Guyana’s Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) Project. 2016. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana.

+++

1 United Nations Development Programme. Country: Guyana. PROJECT DOCUMENT. Strengthening technical capacities to mainstream and monitor Rio Convention Implementation through policy coordination. United Nations Development Programme. This project strengthens technical capacity by connecting all existing databases for better decision making

++

Character of Alignment: +++ = Very Strong; ++ = Strong; + = Moderate

Policy Directive 8. Commitment of resources to Climate Change goals and current national policies and frameworks.

141

Policy Objective

Relevant National Policies

Character of Alignments

4

Climate Landscape Analysis for Children. An Assessment of the impact of climate, energy, and environment on children in Guyana. 2018. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This research presents the “Knowledge and data gaps and issues for further research; Strategic entry points for the CO (mainstreaming and stand-alone); Strategic partnerships; Opportunities for leveraging climate finance for improved results for children; What UNICEF can bring to the table in potential joint proposals and partnerships.”

++

4 Draft Climate Resilience Strategy and Action Plan for Guyana. 2015. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. “This report presents: a summary of the most significant climate risks and required resilience actions across 15 key sectors; a set of capacity building actions that enhance Guyana’s capacity for national adaptation planning and becoming climate resilient and a strategy for financing.”

++

3 Draft Policy Paper Version II. Enhancing National Competitiveness. A National Competitiveness Strategy for Guyana. 2006. Government of Guyana. The essential components of the strategy are: Improvements in competitiveness; sector strategies to address obstacles and opportunities and strategic sub-sector policies.

++

1,2,3,4 Framework of the Guyana Green State Development Strategy and Financing Mechanisms. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. It lays out the elements to be examined and consulted upon during the course of the Green State Development Strategy’ development

+++

1,2,3,4 Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040. 2018. Republic of Guyana. This provides a comprehensive set of strategic action lines to guide public investment over the next 20 years in achieving sustainable and inclusive development

+++

3 RIO + 20 National Report. A Green Economy and Institutional +

142

Framework for Sustainable Development: The Guyana Context. 2012. Paulette Bynoe, UN DESA, RIO +20, UNDP. Paper shows the initiatives for achieving sustainable development inclusive of opportunities, gaps, political commitment, and challenges.

Character of Alignment: +++ = Very Strong; ++ = Strong; + = Moderate

Policy Directive 9. To encourage and promote cooperation of both the public and private sectors to achieve climate change policy objectives and national policies and frameworks.

Policy Objective

Relevant National Policies

Character of Alignments

3 Draft Policy Paper Version II. Enhancing National Competitiveness. A National Competitiveness Strategy for Guyana. 2006. Government of Guyana. The essential components of the strategy are: Improvements of competitiveness; sector strategies to address obstacles and opportunities and strategic sub-sector policies.

++

1,2,3,4 Framework of the Guyana Green State Development Strategy and Financing Mechanisms. 2017. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. It lays out the elements to be examined and consulted upon during the course of the Green State Development Strategy’ development.

+++

1,2,3,4 Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040. 2018. Republic of Guyana. This provides a comprehensive set of strategic action lines to guide public investment over the next 20 years in achieving sustainable and inclusive development

+++

Character of Alignment: +++ = Very Strong; ++ = Strong; + = Moderate

143

ANNEX II SWOT ANALYSIS FOR INFORMING CLIMATE CHANGE

ADAPTATION POLICIES

Policy Objective 1.1: Build and retrofit green towns, settlements, urban and, rural centers and critical infrastructure.

STRENGTHS

•

• National Land Use Plan that guide land use in Guyana. (GLSC)

• Long experience with coastal infrastructure building and maintenance.

• Several agencies share coastal

WEAKNESS

• Lack of a National Land Use Policy

• Overlapping legislation and functions of stakeholder agencies. (GLSC).

• Lack of high-quality information and data and ability to access that Data for use.

• Spatial planning practice in Guyana is

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infrastructure mandates therefore can pool resources.

• Existing building standards

• Existing draft Geospatial Policy

in its infancy and therefore lacks: expertise and technological resources.

• There are few fiscal incentives from the government for the private sector in the form of: loans, tax breaks, grants and other assistance.

• Limited enforcement of existing laws/regulations to prevent informal occupation in vulnerable / zero-tolerance areas.

OPPORTUNITIES • New and planned critical

infrastructure (including schools,

hospitals, police and fire stations) can

be designed using modern best

practices from the onset.

• There is interest in green technologies

such as LED public lighting that is

being supported by multilateral

partners.

• Update & enact building standards as

building codes

• Mainstreaming CC into the National Housing Strategy (developing) • Establish & Operationalise National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) for collecting, processing, disseminating CC related data & information

THREATS

• Lack of continuity due to national priorities.

Policy Objective 1.2: Promote Balanced and equitable investments in climate resilience across coastal/Hinterland and urban/rural geographies.

STRENGTHS

• Mainstreaming of the Rio Conventions Project. (GLSC)

• This continues to be good for establishing relationships with foreign aid agencies.

• All of these agencies have environmental social climate change requirements of

WEAKNESS

• Inadequate scientific research and

modelling (GLSC)

• Limited human capacity. (GLSC)

• Lack of integrated approach to

planning

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project proposals which will improve future infrastructure

• Fragmented mandates between

agencies, their budgets and

resource allocations are often not

coordinated and hence leads to

inefficiencies across the system.

OPPORTUNITIES • Several recent cost-benefit analyses have

provided evidence that investments in

coastal defenses and related infrastructure

make economic sense in the long term.

• Government currently screens major capital investment projects with environmental and social criteria but this is limited and can be expanded especially on climate change related criteria.

THREATS • There continues to be planning

and development for concentrated

building and economic activity in

coastal regions but relatively less

public infrastructure function in

the interior.

Policy Objective 1.3: Reduce disaster and hazard risks that jeopardize productivity and livelihoods.

STRENGTHS

• Currently there is a National Multi-

Hazard Disaster Preparedness and

Response Plan for Guyana and a National

Integrated Disaster Risk Management

Plan and Implementation Strategy for

Guyana.

• Proposals for capital expenditure on new

infrastructure projects undergoes basic

environmental and social screening for

approvals but this can be deepened and

expanded to more climate change

related criteria.

• Government is committed to

strengthening public procurement

therefore providing an opportunity to set

WEAKNESS

• Lack of funding

• Severe lack of physical, financial,

technical and human resources

for regular monitoring,

assessment and maintenance.

• There is a lack of systems for risk

identification and quantification

and little or no capacity for

numerical modelling to aid in

decision-making.

• Lack of enforcement

• Accessing funds in cases of

emergencies

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up systems for acquisition and preference

for green materials and services, climate

resistant materials and services.

• Disaster Risk Management (DRM)

Platform

• CDC Volunteers (VERT)

• Community-based early warning systems

• Regional DRM plans

OPPORTUNITIES • Elements of disaster risk reduction are

closely aligned with climate change

adaptation and mitigation and these links

can be deepened especially with the

current emphasis on financing disaster

mitigation.

• Build on current early warning system by

adding and expanding to the system,

modernization of practices and the

incorporation of new advanced

technologies

• Government can provide more incentives

to expand the risk insurance markets and

seek out risk insurance for critical

infrastructure projects

• Share the administrative burden with international and local non-profit organizations and the private sector especially in terms of disaster preparedness, disaster assistance and social protection.

• Draft DRM Bill • Agriculture DRM work

THREATS

• Adherence to plans and policies • Ineffective communication network

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Policy Objective 1.4: Implement ‘climate proofing’ adaptation and resilience building technologies across all sectors.

STRENGTHS • Regional Energy Efficiency Building

Code (with plans to adopt a national

code)

• Advocacy Agency (GEA) on Energy

Efficiency and Renewable Energy

• Public awareness campaigns across

Guyana on Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy

• Implementation of Energy Efficiency

project at Public and Government

buildings (installation of occupancy

sensors, LED lights and solar PV

panels)

• The use of grid connected solar PV

system

• Energy Efficiency Component of the

Government’s Green Public Sector

Programme

• Import Duty and VAT exemption for

CFLs and LEDs

• Legislative restriction on the

importation of Motor Vehicles eight

(8) years and older (from the date of

manufacture to the date of

importation)

• Broad public support for low-carbon

technologies and broad acceptance

by officials and decision makers on

cost-benefit assessments for certain

technologies such as Energy efficient

lightbulbs and flood resistant building

practices.

• Tax Exemptions on electric vehicle

WEAKNESS

• Limited availability of low cost financing

• Lengthy process of adapting to advanced technology

• Lack of available technical experts with knowledge on technology and practices in some sectors such as commercial trade retail, hospitality, some manufacturing and others.

• A lack of medium scale pilots at the private sector level locally

• Limited available incentives for investment in the Energy sector

• Habit of Financial Institutions to fund conventional projects and opposed to modern RE & EE Projects. To date only GBTI offers Green Loans to investors.

• Limited availability of Energy Managers

• Inadequate enabling environment for energy supply services

•

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

148

• Implementing product standards

and/or performance standards for

certain sectors can be easier because

of more awareness such as in the

building sector and in the

transportation sector.

• Foster public private partnership

• Local business development for

green enterprises

• Improvements in the public

transportation systems

• International interest to invest/

Foreign Direct investment

• Energy integration – export power to

neighbouring countries

• Mapping of energy needs individuals

in remote areas

•

• Limited available support for risk

assessment approaches and hence

decision-makers do not see the need

for technology fixes, therefore

becoming less relevant and less high-

priority.

• High front cost for technology even if

supported by public for example,

energy efficient appliances could be

made available but are still

considered luxury items especially.

Problematic if the market is awash

with cheap options.

• Increased disposable income can lead

to increase in energy consumption

• Declining energy prices for

conventional fuel may act as a

disincentive for energy conservation.

•

Policy Objective 2.1: Promote a safe, healthy, socially secure climate resilient population.

STRENGTH • Building resilient infrastructure • Deployment of doctors into the Interior • Health care facilities in all regions • Environmental health programmes at UG

WEAKNESSESS • Insufficient and poorly network

healthcare facilities that make

accessibility difficult for many

communities.

• There is a lack of coordination

between the many emergency

services and local health services.

• Lack of emergency equipment and

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transportation assets in case of

emergency.

• Healthcare service providers not

always trained in emergency

medicine.

• Lack of social safety nets and

insurance that will cover sickness,

illness and injury that can be

attributed to climate impacts.

• The current number of environmental health inspectors are insufficient to service the entire country

OPPORTUNITY • Develop Health National Adaptation

Plans tailored for vulnerable groups

such as the aged, those isolated by

geography and those that transient.

• Incorporate indigenous and traditional local knowledge in combating factors of disease, resurgence diseases, illnesses and causes of illnesses in disaster preparedness and post disaster recoveries.

• Possible decentralisation of emergency response

THREATS

• Can be expensive & time consuming, can result in limited cooperation from vulnerable groups • Inadequate information sharing

Policy Objective 2.2: Use Education to generate shifts in the behaviors towards more climate-smart livelihoods and lifestyles

STRENGTHS

• GSDS Green Conversations • OCC Comprehensive Strategy • MOE Curriculum Reform • NGO work

WEAKNESSES • There is too much focus on information

dissemination but not behavioral change. This

means that different approaches to education

and training have to be considered.

• Not enough platforms for cross-fertilization of

formal and informal learning education

150

including local indigenous knowledge.

• Career space in the climate arena has not yet

opened enough for it to be attractive to best

academically equipped candidates so this has

to be encouraged if to build well trained

future cadre of professionals.

• Continued overt dependence and habit of

taking directions from foreign donors to the

detriment of building national confidence in

own experts and human resources.

• Mismatch of skills and organisations

OPPORTUNITIES • Expand capacity of local

institutions of higher learning

and technical institutions to

undertake relevant climate

research at a deeper level that is

tailored to provide evidence

data and information local

solutions rather than rely on

adoption of foreign

extrapolations.

• Opportunity to reframe the

education system vertically from

elementary to secondary with an

infusion of entrepreneurship and

environmental justice.

• Utilize technology to generate

new ways of learning,

knowledge generation and

dissemination.

• Technology transfer

enhancement

THREATS • loss of investments made in the education

system resources through brain-drain.

• Loss of institutional knowledge

Policy Objective 1.5: Build agricultural resilience for national food and nutrition security

STRENGTH WEAKNESSES

151

• Continued intensive investments by

government into the agricultural

sector over many years has not

yielded larger benefits or return on

investment. Either such investments

have to be smarter or re-directed

elsewhere.

• Supportive infrastructure in geographies that need it most including into Hinterland is lacking including drainage, irrigation, roads, bridges, facilities for cold storage.

OPPORTUNITIES • Off grid power generation from

renewables and potential purchasing

agreements to lower costs of

production and supplement farm

income.

• High value, less intensive, value

added agricultural products can be

marketed successfully in export

markets if there was additional

government and downstream private

sector support for such endeavors.

• Agricultural materials inclusive of

seeds have been provided by the Civil

Defence Commission to disaster

areas. (NAREI)

THREATS • Future market shifts could move jobs

out of agricultural sector to lucrative

oil and gas related jobs.

• Severe lack of social safety nets for

agricultural based communities

means that any disasters including

severe flooding can lead to farmers

being completely out of business and

leaving the sector permanently.

• Private Insurance and risk insurance

schemes are few and far between and

available at significant financial

burden on farmers and agricultural

producers if they consider them at all.

SWOT ANALYSIS FOR INFORMING CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION POLICIES

Policy Objective 3.1: Transition to renewable energy technologies and practices to reduce climate risk and carbon emissions.

152

STRENGHTS

• Guyana Energy Agency’s public

awareness programme for renewable

technologies (GEA)

o Regional Energy Efficiency Building

Code (with plans to adopt a national

code) (GEA)

o Energy Efficiency Component of

Government’s Green Public Sector

Programme (GEA)

o Import Duty and VAT exemption for

CFLs and LEDs (GEA)

▪ Renewable Energy

Component of Government’s

Green Public Sector

Programme (GEA)

▪ Import Duty and VAT

exemptions for renewable

energy equipment and

machinery (GEA)

o Tax exemptions on electric vehicles

(GEA)

o Increasing ability to attract investors.

These can be catalysts to increase

investor confidence and promote

larger projects.

o Current RE projects in Guyana.

WEAKNESS

• Lack of funding (GEA)

• Human resources constraints (GEA)

• Limited Access to advanced

technology (GEA

• Human resource constraints (GEA)

• Limited Access to advanced

technology (GEA)

• A lengthy process in order to alter

current legislation (GEA)

• There have been continuing

controversies of a social, economic

and political nature on several high-

profile renewable projects such as

hydro.

• The publics still considers electric

vehicles as high cost. The

government has not converted its

fleets of vehicles or public

transportation systems to electric

even though they promote them to

the public. This does not help public

confidence.

• There is a lack of trained and certified

service providers on the local level

able to advise on the installation of

dryers, boilers and other applications.

OPPORTUNITIES • A concentrated focus on just power

generation and transportation

sectors will make a massive national

reduction in GHGs.

• Incentives for RE grid connectivity e.g.

tax breaks, avoided costs.

THREATS • Limited financing, technology,

expertise and the political will to

modernize the electric grid.

• The prediction of massive inflows of

investment for the development of

the fossil fuels Industry will eventually

pull the labor force, increase wages,

153

and possibly lower cost of gasoline in

the country, possibly making

attractiveness of conversion electric

vehicles or public transport will

decrease.

Policy Objective 4.1: Mainstream climate change sensitivity across energy and extractive industries.

STRENGTH

• The implementation of the National

Mineral Sector Policy Framework and

Actions, 2019 – 2029.

• There is some accessibility to markets

that require only sustainably forested

timber (CIG)

• Active and well-established energy

agency that has been able to proactively

attractive financing small renewable

projects especially solar from diverse

actors

• Leverage multinationals since such

projects can act as demonstrations for

larger investments.

WEAKNESS • Limited capacities and resources

• Uncertainties over cause effect

relationships

• Inadequate data and information

• A weak results-oriented and

implementation culture.

• Significant inefficiencies in grid

infrastructure creates unreliability

in the system, inability to expand

into new power generation

sources such as renewables and

lack of capacity at connect to such

sources.

•

OPPORTUNITIES • The stock of large industrial facilities and

industrial assets is relatively small in the economy and can be provided with incentives to transition to cleaner technologies or grandfathered out.

• New Department of Environment has the opportunity to put systems in place for approvals of new facilities, clean technologies and engineering design from onset.

• Public declarations that they are willing

THREATS

• The newly emerging oil and gas industry, can derail the country from low carbon trajectory if measured are not take from the onset.

• Inability to push business community towards initial investments in technologies for carbon reduction technology.

154

to Retrofit domestically and

commercially for carbon reduction and

energy efficiency but can’t take

advantage of incentive programs

Policy Objective 4.2: Commit to large scale transition to cleaner production and service industries

STRENGTHS • There has been some

expansion of the stakeholder

consultation base

WEAKNESS • The investment climate is weak because of

high levels of uncertainty derived from

shifting political climate and long-standing

issues around land tenure.

• Uptake is slow, with limited of enthusiasm

and/or government support and/or market

for transition to value-added manufactured

products.

• There is some historic apprehension about

public private partnerships due to alleged

legacy of lack of transparency in such

dealings in the past between governments

and multinational investors.

• The high cost of implementing and

adopting climate smart technologies

(GLDA)

• Ineffective monitoring and evaluation

systems to ensure compliance (GLDA)

• Lack of knowledge, skills and motivation by

farmers (GLDA)

• Lack of funding (NAREI)

OPPORTUNITIES

• Significant market space for

the expansion of financial

services through microcredit

arrangements for SMEs.

• Tapping into the Natural Resource Fund for clean production and service industry

THREATS • The massive potential of the tourism

market especially destination and

ecotourism markets need and nature

tourism markets can be handicapped by

climatic change which can destroy tourism

product quality and compromise tourism

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development. There is ample market space

in the CARICOM market which is clamoring for more agricultural and forestry products.

experience.

• The development of the oil and gas industry can threaten Guyana’s commitment to the development of new, cleaner sectors to drive the economy.

Policy Objective 5.1: Maintain Guyana’s forests as a major carbon sink.

STRENGTHS

• The Guyana Forest Commission has already

initiated efforts to utilize the MRVS data for forest

management and wider natural resources

management and planning (GFC)

• The Guyana Forest Commission continues to

support MRV initiatives (GFC)

• The Guyana Forest Commission is responsible for

implementation of technical aspects of REDD+

and has been doing so for the past 10 years, hence

the REDD+ mainstreamed into the Guyana Forest

Commission’s mandate. (GFC)

• Implementation of the National Forest Policy

Statement 2018 and National Forest Plan 2018

(GFC)

• The Guyana Forest Commission has a Code of

Practice for Forest Operations and the

Environmental Protection Agency demands that

most enterprises in the natural resources sector

prepare and implement environmental

management plans (GFC).

• Guyana is a signatory for the Paris Agreement, the

three Rio Conventions, the 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development, and the UN Rio

Declaration on Environment and Development,

among others. These international agreements

encourage HFLD countries like Guyana to

maintain standing forests and conserve natural

WEAKNESS

• There is little to no

consideration currently in

Guyana for blue carbon from

mangroves forests (CIG)

• The lack of alignment amongst

high-level decision makers (CIG)

• Policy makers’ lack of

understanding of the

importance to include

mangroves in national

documents (CIG)

• Lack of inclusion of mangroves

into national decision-making

acts negatively for international

financing for mangrove

conservation (CIG)

• Lack of public and private sector

financing (CIG)

• Lack of political drive for

seeking

partnerships/agreements for

“selling” eco-systems services

(CIG)

• There exist overlapping

mandates for Ministries and

agencies with no clear

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habitats (CIG).

• The Guyana-Norway agreement provided a

framework/model to address matters relating to:

reducing emissions from deforestation and forest

degradation in developing countries (REDD+); and

the protection of biodiversity and the

enhancement of sustainable, low carbon

development (CIG).

• There are continuous activities from various

entities (public and private) to inform stakeholders

about the importance of the forests and

biodiversity conservation. (CIG)

responsibility for climate

change actions, forestry and

biodiversity conservations (CIG)

• Lack of resources: Limited

capacity to monitor field

operations, therefore there is a

need for strengthened skills and

capacities (GFC)

• Need for strengthened

collaboration amongst forest

users (GFC)

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

• Private sector may not be cooperative (FPA)

Policy Objective 5.2: Responsible management of watersheds and freshwater resources for human and ecological benefits.

STRENGTH

• selective logging for harvesting (OCC)

• training courses (OCC)

• promotion of Lesser Used Species

(OCC)

• increase in Protected areas in Guyana.

(OCC)

• Development of National REDD+

Strategy and Strategic Environmental

and Social Assessment (OCC)

• A fully functioning internationally

recognised MRVS (CIG, OCC)

• Sustainable forest management

through the National Forest Policy

Statement and the National Forest

Plan (GFC, OCC)

• Well experienced human resources and

an institutionalized system in the

WEAKNESS • There are some initiatives in re-

forestation but minimal. (FPA)

• There is some enforcement, but it is

not enough (CIG)

• Stakeholder disinterest in proper

management of watersheds (GFC)

• disconnect between population and

issues surrounding the forests

(GFC)

• Need for improved cross sectoral

collaboration (GFC)

• Lack of financing (FPA, CIG, OCC)

• Lack of human resource to monitor

this activity (FPA, CIG, OCC)

• Lack of political drive. (CIG)

• Lack of incentives. (CIG)

• Technology needs to be improved.

157

forestry sector that can be built upon

expanded, deepened.

• Consideration of carbon credits and

offset payments.

(FPA)

• There is a severe lack of clarity

about REDD+ approaches,

standards, guidelines, benefits and

benefactors.

• There are no comprehensive

disaster management plans for this

sector including a lack of regional

and local plans that could help in

times of disaster and crisis.

OPPORTUNITIES • With most forests intact, strategies can

be more preventative than restorative

and resources and finances can be

allocated.

• The REDD+ mechanisms already being

assessed, studied and implemented

provide opportunities for forest

protection, management and economic

benefits as well as creating a launching

pad to attract more international

funding and support.

THREATS

• Lack of data, technology and expertise

handicaps ability to predict the high

uncertainty of drought events, fires,

flooding, hampering ability to allocate

resources for preparedness.

• Lack of legal clarity about land right especially regarding indigenous peoples.

SWOT ANALYSIS FOR INFORMING CROSS CUTTING CLIMATE

CHANGE POLICIES

Policy Objective 6.1: Drive social equity for vulnerable groups (women, youth, indigenous and aged) in national climate change processes.

STRENGTHS • There is reasonably good representation

of indigenous groups which are well-known to most decision-makers and decision-making processes including external foreign interested parties.

• There are a number of regional and international resources for leaders and

WEAKNESSES • The national network of womens’

groups is relatively weak. Representation is largely centralized and not as institutionalized and needed.

• There is a poor presence of vulnerable groups on social media

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representatives of indigenous groups to become involved in.

• Youth representation – opportunity for engagement • Establish legislative framework for citizen engagement • Informal mechanism for youth • Desire to protect sovereignty • Diversity • Political will to engage in REDD+

•

that is constructive and able to influence national debates and discussions.

• There is a lack of communication in the wider community about differential vulnerabilities of woman, youth and aged.

• Geographical constraints • Limited citizen participation / lack of awareness • Securing land tenure • Social constructs • Apathy on the part of the electorate • Migration – both legal and illegal •

OPPORTUNITIES • Increase in access to education,

knowledge and skills training through formal school systems and online systems as well as informal meetings. This can assist vulnerable groups to acquire knowledge for more informed decisions.

• As climate change rises on the national agenda and new platforms launched, vulnerable groups can disseminate their messages across multiple platforms if they have access.

• Climate vulnerability studies including gender sensitivity as a basis for action.

• In transitioning to cleaner industries, women can be included in non-traditional opportunities for employment including ecotourism and hence pursue financial independence.

THREATS • Intra-group coordination within

vulnerable group coalitions may be weak. This can fragment the position of vulnerable groups when negotiating and resolving disputes with decision-makers, government and business.

• Political upheaval •

Policy Objective 6.2. Report to the people of Guyana on corporate climate responsibility, accountability, and transparency.

STRENGTH WEAKNESS

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• Lack of formal mandates,

requirements and agreements on

corporate disclosures of

environmental and climate

information of investors.

• Lack of organized power and

knowledgeable neutral third parties

on instituted committees that can

review assess and judge on corporate

transparency and accountability

issues without political interference.

• There is an infancy in the regulatory

regime (greenhouse gas emissions

and regulated the implementation

and use of technology-based

standards) within the Environmental

Protection Agency and the new

Department of Energy.

• Low capacity of food bodies and civil

society such as NGOs question

transparency accountability and

environmental performance.

OPPORTUNITY • Convincing citizens and increased

support and buy in from the public for

climate actions.

THREAT • The inability for Government or the

public to force disclosures and the lack of ability to verify the veracity of disclosures if and when they are released.

Policy Objective 7.1: Strengthening the technical capacity of national institutions to contribute to evidence-based decision-making.

STRENGTHS • Support through 5Cs • Existence of OCC • Existence of a MRVS in the Forestry Sector

WEAKNESSES • Absence of international information

and detail coordinating network and

a management system.

• Lack of institutionalized and stable

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• Existence of a data node. GLSC database, etc

mandated collaborative platforms that deal with climate change in a cross sector

• Inadequate approach / system for staff development • Absence of a dedicated personnel within agencies (CC)

OPPORTUNITIES

• Accelerate the mainstreaming of

climate change thinking into the

ministry’s plans and budgets.

• Funds and resources to building

competencies across public-sector

stakeholders and civil society

partners to share the burden of data

and information management.

• Build specialist expertise in technical

areas within the ministries and

agencies where it is aligned with their

existing mandates but intersect with

climate change objectives.

• Integrate, enhance and/or update existing databases into National Data System • Establishment of a Caribbean Cooperative MRV Hub (CCMRVH)

STRENGTHS

• The inability of ministries and

agencies to negotiate amongst

themselves about their climate

change mandates and a system in

which they can collaborate on data

information and analytical issues.

• Resource limitations of over the long-

term create data information gaps in

the timeline therefore reducing the

ability to use longitudinal data for

predictive analysis.

• Major government restructuring of

ministries and agencies that see

mandates fragmented or shifted

around and thereby eroding

institutional knowledge and creates

inefficiencies.

• Not able to achieve use of detail information and evidence in policy making processes thereby diminishing the importance of the efforts to continue investing in building that body of evidence

Policy Objective 7.2: Invest in and support collection, management and use of scientific data and information for implementing climate actions.

STRENGTHS • Investing in technologies

WEAKNESS

• There has been no comprehensive

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and equipment to increase

scientific understanding of

climate phenomena. • National Forest Inventory (on-going) • Existence of a Technology Needs Assessment • Forest Policy & Action Plan (updated) • Mineral Policy & Action Plan (sent to cabinet)

•

national needs assessment.

• Most emphasis has been on

acquisition of technical data but

there is little or no information and

data on the social behavioral cultural

dimensions of climate change.

• Verification and quality of data and

information is problematic and this

will be more problematic when

seeking to work with international

agencies and confirm progress

reports (eg. greenhouse gas

emissions).

• More emphasis on climate change

adaptation aligned with

responsibilities under international

accords but balanced with more

emphasis on climate change

mitigation especially given growing

importance of the oil and gas

industry and renewables. • Lack of political will

OPPORTUNITIES • Rationalize new data sets

and information and build

it from there

• Strengthening sustained financing efforts through National Budget Allocation • CARIWIG through 5Cs

THREATS

Policy Objective 8.1: Lead efforts to increase national domestic budget allocations for climate change programming.

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STRENGTH WEAKNESS • The inability to procure

international and regional

funding .

• Lack of involvement by the

private sector as a climate

financing instrument.

• Ill informed decision making by

finance professionals with

respect to acquiring climate

financing.

• Mis-conceptions that general

environmental funding also

targets climate adaptation and

mitigation.

OPPPORTUNITIES • A financial framework for

climate change

THREATS • Inability to convince

government decision-makers of

the intercept between climate

change and traditional

budgetary priorities such as

poverty alleviation, social

services and employment.

• Inabilities of financial architects

to properly integrate climate

change into tangible and

fundable projects and programs

that can be justified in a budget.

Policy Objective 9.1: Coordinate climate finance and assistance commitments from international development partners and donors.

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STRENGTH • Good relationships have

been built with donors and

multilateral agencies over

the years that allow

reasonable good will and

trust.

• GRIF experience in MRVS • Experience in demonstration livelihood projects through GRIF

WEAKNESS • Some lack of strategic coordination of funding

efforts across multilateral agencies and donor

partners given their individual strategic

objectives and priorities.

• Inefficiency by government body to prioritize

development needs when negotiating with

multilaterals and donors.

• A lack of resources, expertise and experience in

joint proposal collaborations especially for

highly technical and as those involving different

or new partnerships such as in the private

sector.

• Lack of understanding on how to navigate the

process, administration and bureaucracy

needed to develop competitive proposals that

qualify for international funds.

• Ability to align local needs with global priorities • Scope of green job opportunities unknown

OPPORTUNITY • Standing as a CARICOM

member allows Guyana to tap into regional resources and participate in regional level projects that can benefit the country but for which a country level application might be difficult to achieve.

• A number of competing bilateral and multilateral finance sources exist to choose from • High number of young entrepreneurs seeking opportunities in this sector

THREAT • Shorter term, more easily accessible fossil based

revenues to drive entrepreneurship / investments

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Policy Objective 9.2. Promote conditions for employment and livelihoods in the low carbon economy.

STRENGTH • International interest / attention to greening of an economy • Revitalising the new education systems • Development of new careers

WEAKNESS • The existing educational

infrastructure needs a retooling

for the new skills development.

• Youth must see viable career

pathways and job opportunities

locally.

• Support to invest in new skills

development programs that are

aligned with new product and

service lines oriented towards a

low carbon pathway.

OPPORTUNITY • Formation of new markets in the green sectors. Opportunities/potential will vary based on geographical area e.g. Linden using waste products from mining to make clay bricks and sand bricks. • Diversifying the economy • New careers

THREATS

• Shifting of available labor to the

oil and gas sector and away

from other sectors of economic

importance.

• If the pace of expansion of new

clean Green sectors is not fast

enough or intense enough then

enthusiasm will fall.

Policy Objective 9.3. Focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and drive climate ready micro, small, and medium enterprises.

STRENGTH • Tax incentives on solar equipment, etc. • Green financing loan offered

WEAKNESS

• Not enough national focus on specific

opportunities that align with regional and

international market trends.

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by GBTI (Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry)

• Traditional reliance agriculture and mining

sectors mean there has been less emphasis

on developing unique national competitive

advantages in other products and services.

• Education sector must shift into higher level

of technology orientation.

• Banks and financial sector need risk

assurance and backing for instruments to be

made available to small and medium

businesses seeking to take risks in low

carbon ventures.

• Increase in the availability of seed capital at

low rates for new low carb on benches.

• Technical, trade and vocational skills

development.

• Increase different avenues for accessing

finance such as credit lines for small

businesses that have difference criteria that

prioritizes Innovation.

OPPORTUNITY • To develop value chains and

less carbon intensive high-

value products for regional

and international niche

markets.

THREAT

• Lack of readiness of the government in supporting laws and regulations that will hinder MSME development in more clean technologies, sectors, etc. e.g. no tie-in grid connection.

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ANNEX III SECTOR BACKGROUND SUMMARIES Agriculture Risk Assessment

In Guyana, agriculture is divided into 5 sub-sectors: rice, sugar, livestock, fisheries and fruit and

vegetables, with both rice and sugar being Guyana’s major export crops. Agriculture is the

major economic activity in Guyana, accounting for 50% of employment and 25% of the

country’s Gross Domestic Product. It also holds responsibility as a source of approximately 39%

of the national GHG emissions in Guyana2. Most of the country’s agriculture occurs in regions

2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on the low-lying coastal plains. Even though there are many small-scale farmers

and a thriving marine fishing industry, some of the technologies currently being practiced are:

• Experimentation of new crop varieties

• ‘Shade Cultivation’

• Aquaculture

• Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation

Since Guyana is almost agriculturally self-sufficient, the country prides itself in being food

secure. The climatic impacts of extreme rainfall, flooding and drought will affect agriculture on

the coastal plain. Increases in temperature would result in stressed plants and livestock that

would ultimately lead to a decrease in quantity and quality of the plant and animal products.

Given the country’s huge dependence on agriculture for revenue and food security,

maintaining and improving the agriculture sector is of utmost importance. It is approximated

2 Second National Communication on climate change to the UNFCCC

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that 70% of Guyana’s population are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood both directly

and indirectly3.

It is projected that inundation caused by minimum storm surge (2m) may inundate more than

25,000 ha of rice lands and 11,000 ha of residential areas, whereas maximum storm surge (5m)

may affect over 29,000 ha of rice lands and an upper limit of 22,361 ha of residential lands for

the periods 2031 to 20714. It is predicted that hinterland regions will also experience droughts

and increased salinity. Decreasing yields and the decreasing quality of export crops like rice

and sugar will negatively affect Guyana’s economy. The yield and quality of major export

crops, rice and sugar will be affected. Additionally, mixed farming, cash crop production and

animal grazing pastures will fall prey to the climatic changes that are predicted. Drought and

water deficit situations will need to be addressed with adaptation technologies such as

irrigation, which will in turn increase the cost of production. Research has shown that a change

in the climate causes an increase in the spread of existing vector-borne (e.g. malaria and

cholera) and water-borne (e.g. dengue) diseases and macro parasites of animals. In some

instances, there is the introduction of new diseases to the environment.

Guyana has a thriving marine fishing industry, changes in temperature however, may cause a

shift in the range of fish species and a disruption to fish reproductive patterns. Salt water

intrusion and inundations will also negatively affect fresh water fisheries and shrimp farms.

Guyana aims at supporting farmers to ensure available mitigation and adaptation options are

effective and sustainable. Initiatives for mitigation and adaptation in the agriculture sector are

as follows:

• Limiting emissions of GHG from rice production and post-harvest management practice e.g. effective management of rice husks.

• Installation of biogas collection and combustion systems to reduce emission from agriculture.

• Research and development of fertiliser application and new cultivars.

• Effective livestock nutritional management

• Change in cultivation practises

• Crop rotation

• Agricultural Diversification

• Introduction of new crop varieties

3 Draft Climate Resilience Strategy and Action Plan for Guyana. 2015. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. 4 National Integrated Disaster Risk Management Plan and Implementation Strategy for Guyana. Integrated Disaster Risk Management Implementation Strategy. 2013. Evan Green, Civil Defence Commission: Guyana, IDB.

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• Investment into low carbon agricultural sub-sectors such as: fruit, vegetables and aquaculture

• Development of inland agriculture

• Varietal development of saline tolerant crops

• Freshwater harvesting for inland regions

• Composting of agricultural solid waste (crop & livestock)

• Agro-meteorological system for forecasting and early warning

• Development of a land use plan or land zoning strategy to identify the most suitable areas for sustainable agriculture.

Coastal Zone Risk Assessment

Shell beaches, mangroves and coastal defence structures define Guyana’s coastline. These

coastal defence structures run along the coastline for approximately 180 km while the natural

coastline of mangroves and sandy beaches spans a distance of almost 185 km. Guyana’s

coastline is also comprised of a series of drainage and irrigation canals that assist in flood

prevention. A recent study done of the drainage system in Georgetown found that pollution

affected the system negatively and should be prevented or mitigated. The study also found

that improper management of the drainage system was due to the different stakeholders

involved and the misuse of available data and information. Current maintenance of the system

is more reaction-based instead of prevention based. The main threats to the coastline include:

sea level rise, increased storm surges and changes in rainfall patterns. Currently, 45% of

Guyana’s coastline is subject to erosion, therefore, sea level rise and increases wave energy

would result in exacerbated erosion rates and damage to the foundation of coastal homes.

Two vulnerable zones within the coastal region have been identified. One zone comprises the

western Essequibo areas where there is a lack of coastal defence structures. The second zone

comprises the eastern region of Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara which is densely populated.

Both zones have poor drainage systems. Vulnerability assessments reported scenarios of

extensive coastal flooding, with likely impacts to rice cultivation, residential areas, sugar cane,

mixed farming and cash crops. The potential threat of sea level rise, increased rainfall intensity

and variations in annual rainfall levels can hamper Guyana’s East Demerara Water Conservancy

system and drainage infrastructure. These threats can also affect future agriculture production

and urban living in low-lying coastal zone areas. Proposed adaptation technologies involve the

following:

• Mapping and modelling of coastal processes for the construction of seawalls and groynes

• Energy efficient mobile pumps for flood control

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• National early warning system for flood and drought

• GIS technology to operationalise land use plan.

Energy and Transportation Sectors Risk Assessment

Guyana’s major source of energy is through fossil fuel importation. The country imported an

estimated 4.9 million barrels of petroleum-based products in 2012 (13,320 barrels per day),

with and increase to approximately 5,001,497 barrels in 2015 (13,575 barrels per day), the

highest volume imported to date. Petroleum based importations include: diesel, fuel oil,

gasoline, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Approximately 70% of Guyana’s energy consumption is derived from fossil fuels, with 25.67%

from bagasse, 4.35% from rice husk, 1% from solar photovoltaic and 0.40% from fuel wood5.

With a recent consumption estimate of 38%, the transportation sector has emerged as the

biggest consumer of total petroleum products, with the electricity power generating sub

sector at 33%. The major petroleum-based products used in transportation are gasoline and

diesel for vehicular use in the country. The electricity generation sector comprises electricity

generation mainly from Guyana’s national electric utility, the GPL, and several small

generation facilities (including self-generation) across the country. Electricity generation in

2012 was estimated at 944.325 GWh: 96.28% from fossil fuels, 3.52%12 from bagasse-based

cogeneration, and the remaining 0.2% from solar PVs and wind-powered sources6.

Droughts experienced due to changes in precipitation patterns and warmer temperature could

severely affect the generation of energy, since the country is promoting the use of

hydropower. Intense rains and flooding can cause possible damage to energy infrastructure for

generation and transmission. In Guyana’s Upper Essequibo region, heavy rainfalls and

landslides have already damaged the Moco Moco hydropower plant. Proper analysis and

feasibility studies should be conducted before investment in energy opportunities. For

5 Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Technology Action Plan for Mitigation. 2018. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana. 6 Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Technology Action Plan for Mitigation. 2018. Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana.

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example, the installation of power stations and transmission lines in the coastal zone areas,

may be subject to damage from sea level rise and other climatic impacts.

Guyana’s geographic characteristics are ideal for exploring renewable energy opportunities

and as such, its renewable energy project listing entails the use of hydropower, wind, solar and

biofuels. Work towards more sustainable energy opportunities have already began with the

provision of solar units to over 11,000 Hinterland homes. In the transport industry, the

following adaptations initiatives were made:

• introduction of unleaded gasoline

• consumer education on energy efficiency techniques for vehicles

• Production of a National Vehicle Emission Standards and the National Transportation

Strategy

Other initiatives implemented on various scales throughout Guyana include:

• Renewable Energy: Hydropower (Amaila Falls), Small scale solar farms, Wind Power

• Waste to Energy : Cogeneration, Gasification and Methane Recovery

• Grid Distribution Efficiency: Distribution efficiency in the national power, smart grids

• Transport: Electric vehicles (not yet implemented).

According to the SNC, pertinent recommendations for renewable energy projects include:

• Implementation of feasibility projects

• Improvement of transmission losses

• Improvement of power plants for maximum efficiency

In the construction sector however, there still seems to be a need for energy efficient practices

and policies.

Forestry

Risk Assessment

Guyana’s mostly untouched tropical forests spans 18.48 million hectares. Forest conservation

in Guyana, goes back almost 7000 years with the indigenous peoples as its stewards and

conservators. These native Amerindians legally hold 13.9 percent of Guyana’s land. Guyana

established Kaieteur National Park in 1929 as a protected area, a first in Amazonia. The

country’s relatively low deforestation rates range between 0.1% and 0.3%. It has maintained

one of the lowest deforestation rates on Earth, peaking at 0.079% in 2012 and 0.065 % in 201433.

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Guyana has collaborated on many international initiatives to capitalize on its rainforests. In

1989, Guyana invited the international community to share the responsibility in maintaining

the Iwokrama Rainforest, a million acres of pristine Amazonia rainforest. It also became one of

the first 14 countries to participate in the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility.

Between 2009 and 2015, Guyana partnered with Norway on a ‘payment for performance forest

conservation agreement’. This agreement provided funding for Guyana’s Low Carbon

Development Strategy (LCDS). The ‘Economic Value to the Nation’ of Guyana’s forest (using

logging, mining and other activities) was estimated in the LCDS to be approximately US$580

million annually.

“Guyana is offering to defer the pursuit of our historic natural resource exploitation-based

economy, and offer our huge carbon stocks to the world if, in return, our sustainable human

development needs and the cost of deferring business as usual are met by financial support from

the international community in a predictable, just and equitable manner”7.

Drier than usual dry seasons may hinder forest growth. The Holdridge classification system

showed that forests in southern Guyana, under a ‘doubling and tripling CO2 concentration’

scenario may cause the spatial spread of savannah shrub towards the south of Guyana. This

spread will most likely replace tall evergreen forest. Additionally, in the tripling CO2 scenario,

northwest forests will also be affected by the shrub savannah types. Salt water intrusion will

affect the soil and ultimately cause the rotting of trees and lumber.

Mangrove forest are scientifically known to protect a country’s coastal and inland areas against the effects of sea level rise, while evergreen forests are natural carbon sinks, therefore, Guyana’s forest are natural adaptations to climatic impacts. Guyana sustains this natural adaptation through continued conservation efforts, sustainable management and low deforestation. According to the SNC, mitigation activities that are additional to those already planned under the LCDS and REDD+ result in carbon savings of 1.5 million tonnes under a baseline scenario in which incentives from REDD+ outweigh the incentives to log, and savings of 1.67 million tonnes under a baseline scenario where the rate of deforestation continues at existing levels. The cost of saving each additional unit of carbon is estimated to be around US$2, which is consistent with estimates provided in the LCDS. Under the LCDS, Amerindian subsistence, traditional forest and other forest related activities will not be required to stop. However, all involved in the Forestry sector will be required to comply with existing laws, regulations and guidelines. Guyana Forestry Commission will ensure

7 Institutional Strengthening in Support of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). GY-G1002. Grant Proposal. Inter-American Development Bank.

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compliance with the various Codes of Practice that govern the timber industry using local resources and committing 50% of its staff to field monitoring from its 54 forest monitoring stations countrywide . The Emissions Reduction Program (ERP) will conserve ‘an additional 2 million hectares through Guyana’s National Protected Area System and other effective area-based conservation measures. The ERP will implement Reduced Impact Logging thereby reducing the incidental and collateral damage during tree felling by about 10% and the damage from skid trails by about 35% (avoiding mid-size trees during skidding), could reduce the annual emissions by 13.5% . This action will reduce the annual emissions in the timber sub sector by 11%.

Water Resources

Risk Assessment

Despite the limited access to potable water in Guyana, the country has the second highest renewable freshwater resource per capita in the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), this figure was 315,695 m3 as of 2014. Guyana has a series of streams, rivers and waterfalls. Guyana experiences an average rainfall of 1500 to 3000mm per year. The southern highlands and the forested regions are subject to higher amounts of rain, while the southeast and inland areas experiences lower levels of rainfall. Residents in Georgetown utilise ground and surface water, while other areas on the coast use groundwater. For domestic and commercial purposes, ground water is extracted from three main aquifers. Water for industry and agriculture is primarily derived from surface sources. Hinterland communities however, mainly use surface water supplied by a dense network of watersheds. An FAO study concluded that overall, Guyana had 178 groundwater wells and 8 surface water sources. Since there is limited knowledge of the aquifer systems within the coastal zone area, concerns are raised about the possibility of water mining and salt-water intrusion. The main existing technologies found in the water sector are: o Rainwater Harvesting; o Conservancy Management; and o Drainage and Irrigation. The availability and quality of water resources are determined by two climate-induced threats: extreme precipitation and flooding. Agriculture, fisheries, forestry, mining, manufacturing and human settlements are all important sectors in Guyana that are highly dependent on uncontaminated water resources. A decrease in rainfall levels along with increasing evaporation could lower water levels in rivers while persistent rain events can cause severe flooding. Salt-water intrusions due to sea level rise will contaminate ground water. Increasing global temperatures would increase the populations demand for water. Water deficits can

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contribute to saline intrusion into aquifers and soils, and as a result, introduce salt water further upstream of rivers. In the interior of Guyana, soil erosion would have a negative effect on surface water bodies. Projections relating to future changes in the spatial changes of rainfall, show that generally, annual and seasonal rainfall would decrease slightly and that these decreases in rainfall would mainly affect the northern half of Guyana, including the critical coastal53 projections for Guyana indicate that Temporal changes may cause water deficits in October and November. The Government of Guyana remains committed to continuing basic work on integrated water management infrastructure while making considerations for climate change. This includes the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of conservancies and canals, sea defences, water supply and sanitation, as well as the introduction of new agricultural techniques such as hydroponics and fertigation33. Major government agencies and ministries such as: Hydrometeorological Service, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority and the Civil Defence Commission, work together to: observe, archive, and ensure all measures are taken to mitigate climatic effects. Through the LCDS, priority projects on adaptation are outlined, one such project is drainage relief to reduce overtopping and flooding on the East Coast Demerara. Specifically, the LCDS Update, identified the project area ‘Climate Resilience, Adaptation and Water Management Initiatives’ for which up to USD 100 million will be allocated to improve Guyana’s capacity to address climate change. The following technologies have been identified in the ‘Technology Needs Assessment (2018)’ to assist with mitigation include:

• Rainwater harvesting

• Ground water mapping and modelling

• Surface water mapping and modelling

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and modelling for water catchment protection.

Disaster Risk Reduction

Risk Assessment A review of the literature concluded that Guyana is vulnerable to the following hazards/threats:

• flooding as a result of excessive rainfall

• coastal flooding as a result of breached levees and over-topping of the sea-wall

• drought from reduced rainfall over an extended period

• intense storms and high wind-speeds affecting people and property

• risks of wild fires due to excessive dry periods

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These threats were noted as being either, ongoing and rapid onset (e.g. flooding) or slow onset

(e.g. drought). In terms of the average annual loss to natural hazards, floods represent by far the

greatest threat. Guyana is classified as a high flood risk country with the greatest vulnerability

experienced within the coastal zone. The IDB disaster index identifies Guyana as the fourth most

exposed country to natural disasters within Latin America and the Caribbean region. Guyana, has

already begun to experience the impacts of climate change. These events were recorded as

follows:

• Flooding: Intense flooding was experienced as a result of extreme weather events. In 2005,

the most severe flooded in Guyana’s history was recorded after the country experienced

the highest recorded rainfall since 1888. In 2011, continuous heavy rainfall resulted in

overflow of the Rio Branco, Ireng and Takutu rivers and flooding in certain areas of Lethem

and Region 9.

• Rainfall: Since 1960 to present, rainfall has been below normal levels.

• Temperature: Guyana has experienced a 10C increase in mean annual temperature over the

last century. Additionally, the SNC, has indicated that the temperature in Guyana has

increased by 0.3°C since the 1960s.

• Drought: during a major drought in 2015, water had to be trucked to Regions 1 and 9.

In order to reduce the risk to disaster, Guyana has begun to implement measures to build

climate resilience. Some of which include activities such as: implementation of new

technologies, restoration of existing infrastructure, strengthening institutional capacity and

securing technical and financial support to implement mitigation and adaptation measures.

Along the coastline, the implementation of new and upgraded sea defence would assist in the

flooding and coastal inundation. The coastal plain has a network of irrigation and drainage

systems to assist with runoff from rainfall, however heavy continuous showers has still resulted

in extreme flooding. Upgrading of the currents systems may allow for proper action to this

problem, but there is also need for additional research into the aquifer system within the

coastal areas. It is further stated that drought and fire resistant crop varieties should be

introduced.

Infrastructure and Housing Risk Assessment

Ninety percent of Guyana’s population is concentrated on the coastal belt, with a population

density of greater than 115 persons per square kilometre. Guyana’s urban population is on the

decline, while the rural population being in the majority. Urban population was reported as

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209,992 in 2002 and in 2012 stood at 191,810 urban dwellers. In comparison, 528,323 and 535,193

persons were reported to reside in rural areas in 2002 and 2012 respectively. In spite of the

declining population, Guyana is still to meet its housing target. Improving the housing sector in

Guyana, can possibly create new wealth for an emerging working class and small businesses. It

would improve productivity, provide access to financial markets, and fosters asset accumulation in

general. Housing is an important economic sector which contributes to GDP through: 1) private

residential investment and 2) personal consumption expenditure. Over the past decade, about

12% of the total annual investment was directed into this sector which generated over 8% of

GDP. The challenges facing the housing sector however, include:

• providing sites with services such as water, electricity, septic tanks (which is mostly done by

home owners, particularly in new housing areas), and road access

• introducing pilots for improved access to housing opportunities through a self-build

process

• supporting specific priority housing demands, including workforce housing for people who

meet priority community needs, such as teachers and nurses.

The housing industry may be severely affected by climate related hazards. Since the majority

of the population lives on Guyana’s coastline, houses and associated utility infrastructure are

susceptible to hazards such as sea level rise, storm surge, and flooding. Using projected storm

surge scenarios, at least 139,000 hectares of land may be inundated by the 2030s, and at least

140,000 hectares by the 2070s, therefore, houses closest to the coastline will become

inundated. The heavy rainfall of 2011, caused massive destruction to critical infrastructure such

as roads, bridges and electricity plants. Lower income housing may be the most vulnerable,

since they may not have the resources to relocate or improve the current location to withstand

flooding scenarios. Sea level rise may lead to salt-water intrusion into the coastal aquifers that

provides water for domestic use. Water supply may potentially become contaminated by

flooded waste water systems, leading to possible disease outbreaks (e.g. cholera). An increase

in temperatures and a decrease in rainfall, may lead to overheating in houses and heat strokes,

which in severe cases can be fatal.

The following addresses the response to the impacts of climate change on this sector:

• Improving knowledge on social vulnerability to climate change to make better decisions

that are more informed.

• Promoting land use planning and housing developments to consider the impacts of

climate change

• Promotion of adaptation good practice and developing innovative solutions

• Improvement of drainage within housing areas

• Improvement to waste management systems at a household and community level

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• Development, implementation and enforcement of housing-related laws, policies,

regulations and national strategies for climate resilience

• Promotion of institutional synergies in the housing sector

• Increasing access to funding/financial resources for ‘climate smart’ buildings

• Expansion of energy efficient technologies in buildings and implementation of building

codes

• Energy assessments and audits of various public buildings to reduce energy

consumption and improve energy awareness. This will be done through the

replacement of inefficient lighting and appliances.

• Promotion of energy efficient building designs inclusive of: occupancy sensors, cool

roof, natural lighting and energy efficient lighting

• Upgrade and maintenance of sea defences

• Upgrade of drainage and irrigation system in tandem with the sea defences

Health

Risk Assessment

An efficient and effective health sector is in keeping with Guyana’s Health Vision

2020. This sector aims at the improvement of the physical, mental and social

wellbeing of all Guyana’s citizens. A healthy population equates to great productivity

in the workforce and a decrease in deaths. A strong health sector becomes a

priority in the face of climate change, since it provides necessary services in times of

climate related disasters. Climate change is usually associated with a series of health

issues including: heat stress, respiratory illnesses, vector borne diseases and water

borne diseases.

With most of Guyana’s health care facilities being located in the coastal region, there

is increased exposure of the facilities to the climate change impacts like flooding. In

2005, there was direct damage and losses to healthcare infrastructure due to intense

flooding. Sea level rise and changes in rainfall patterns may exacerbate the flooding

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situation in these coastal regions and in so doing, cause greater stress to the Health

Sector.

A lack of resources may also pose a threat in the health sector. A deficiency of

health professionals to adequately respond in the event of disaster, or the

insufficiency of infrastructure would severely limit the ability of the Guyanese

government to respond to situations of adverse climate change impacts.

Water resources are abundant in Guyana however, water supply systems are

characterised by poor water quality and unreliable service. Therefore poor sanitation

adds to the plight of the Health Sector in the face of addressing Climate Change

impacts. Even the quality of the water becomes affected during periods of extreme

temperatures (drought) and extreme rainfall (flooding). These water woes can have

severe impacts on the health of the population. Limited budget allocations and

policy implementation can also be responsible for the poor performance of the

health sector due in addressing climate change impacts.

There is also need for extensive research on the implications of the change in

climatic and weather patterns on the population of Guyana. This calls for enhanced

monitoring and evaluation of climatic impacts on health. Further research is needed

on climatic vulnerability of the Health sector with a focus on climate related

diseases, its prevention and treatment. National early warning systems for the health

sector should be developed, based on climate forecasts. While capacity building is

needed to effectively respond to climate-related risks in the Health sector, there is a

need for the development of ‘climate smart’ health facilities. These facilities should

incorporate renewable energy sources etc. and should ensure effective functioning

during times of climate-induced stress.

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Education

Risk Assessment

The priority that Guyana has placed on education is evidenced by its mention in the

Second National Communication (2012), as one of the country’s five pillars of

climate change adaptation. Pillar 2 covers capacity building and education to

address the impacts of climate change. Public education and awareness for building

both the technical and human resource is also mentioned.

One of Guyana’s major natural disasters, flooding, has caused damage to the

Education sector. In the floods of 2005, many schools and other related

infrastructure were debilitated. The academic lives and educational activities of many

students were disrupted for several days during and after the event, especially since

the low lying coastal plains is home to the country’s major schools and only

university.

In order to effectively address climate change and climate resilience in many sectors,

both formal and informal education is needed. This policy proposes that training

and education should be paramount to develop the technical expertise needed for

climatological monitoring and forecasting. Additionally, this training of technical

personal would assist with the downscaling of global and regional climate models to

specific regions and sectors in Guyana. Courses should be developed at all levels of

education for adaptation and conservation measures. The policy supports the

training of new professionals especially in the energy research and development,

with a specific focus on technical education for alternative technologies. Tertiary

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level programmes should be revised to reflect: Climate Change Leadership

Management; Climate Smart Agriculture and Climate resilient construction.

Since the REDD is such an important aspect of Guyana’s economy, forestry issues

must be integrated into the education system, with the Forestry Training Centre

Incorporated (FTCI) conducting training sessions for both technical professional and

forest stakeholders.

This policy supports the improvement to the quality of life through community

awareness and the inclusion of vulnerable groups such as: youth, women,

indigenous persons and the elderly. Greater efforts should be made for groups

whose access to educational opportunities are limited. These include the: elderly,

hinterland indigenous communities, and some womenfolk. Community involvement

programmes should be used to address the complex issues of climate resilience in

villages and settlements. Especially for cases of drought, water conservation and

flooding.

Climate Change Policy should not only be limited to vulnerable groups and

communities, but to Guyana’s private sector actors since they affect both the carbon

output and Guyana’s economy. It is recommended that the Office of Climate Change

should continue to spearhead, develop and disseminate multimedia public education

and awareness materials.

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