A Norwegian team was expected in Guyana yesterday as Oslo presses Georgetown to work on several aspects of the forests partnership between the two countries including a move to renewable energy.
In a statement last week, the Ministry of Natural Resources announced that government is preparing to host a technical team from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, and Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative, from April 26 to May 4. The focus of the visit is to work with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Office of Climate Change, the Project Management Office, the Guyana Forestry Commission and other stakeholders to improve capacity in executing the Joint Concept Note and taking advantage of REDD+ opportunities, the ministry said.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which was signed in 2009, Guyana could earn up to US$250 million in performance-based payments up to last year, based on an independent verification of Guyana’s deforestation and forest degradation rates and progress on REDD+ enabling activities. REDD+ is a global initiative that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Guyana has so far earned US$190 million under the partnership and a final payment for the last year of the partnership is due.
The partnership has not formally been extended but both parties have signaled their intention to do so.
The statement said that since taking office in May 2015, the David Granger administration has been making steady progress towards creating a stronger agreement and better outcomes for Guyana’s green growth. To date, the Government has facilitated several meetings and discussions with Norwegian officials, the statement said. Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, who has responsibility for the Guyana/Norway agreement is encouraged by the progress to date and looks forward to the visit, which will continue to advance the partnership in a way that is supportive of Guyana’s “green growth” vision, the statement said.
Actions
Norway’s new Minister for Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen, in a letter to Trotman recently said that he will stay closely involved in all issues concerning the forests partnership and urged the fulfillment of several actions under the Joint Concept Note of the MOU.
“My predecessor, Tine Sundtoft, reported that she had granted a no-cost extension of our partnership so that the remaining deliverables can be achieved within the framework of our agreement. In my view, it makes sense that we for the time being focus on the fulfillment of the governance indicators and strengthen the implementation of GRIF projects that are already in the pipeline,” he wrote.
He made several suggestions on how the partnership can move forward in the near future. “I understand you would like to rephrase the Low Carbon Development Strategy to a green economy plan, and I assume the plan would have to be approved by Parliament. I am very much looking forward to seeing the plan and if it suits you, I would like to welcome you to present it at the Oslo REDD Exchange conference which takes place 14-15 June,” Helgesen wrote.
He pointed out that Oslo has invested US$70 million in the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF). “From what the Norwegian delegation reports, the units responsible for the design and management of the GRIF funded projects are not directly under your authority and oversight. I understand that you presently experience capacity constraints. Hopefully these can be remedied in the near future to enable the government to undertake the demanding tasks our partnership require, including capacity to deliver on the forest governance indicators and implement strategic projects through GRIF,” he said.
The Norwegian minister also noted that Guyana’s Amerindian peoples have traditionally been stewards of the forests. “I am encouraged to hear that Guyanese government officials have announced an intent to review of the Amerindian Act, in close consultation with affected stakeholders. I believe such a review could help solve conflicts between Amerindians and extractive industries, and potentially ensure that large forest areas are titled and managed sustainably. I also hope that the Opt-in mechanism for Indigenous Peoples will soon be operational and become an effective tool in keeping Guyana’s forest standing,” he said.
Government earlier this year advertised for consultants to assist in implementing a pilot of the Opt-in mechanism.
Helgesen also congratulated Trotman on his pledge to review and make public all information on logging concessions. “I hope this initiative will result in an institutionalized system for full transparency and disclosure. May I also suggest that a robust multi-stakeholder process for spatial planning could add strength to your green economy plan and have other good governance benefits as well,” he added.
He also pointed out that the agreement between Norway and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) amounting to US$80 million earmarked to cover Guyana’s equity share in the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project runs until June. “I am very pleased that we have agreed to undertake a review as to how the Amaila Falls project could be restructured to fulfill your government‘s requirements. According to the Norwegian delegation‘s report, you committed to 100 percent transition to renewable energy in your meetings with them. This is of course very encouraging and a keystone of our partnership,” he said.
Helgesen stated that he hoped Trotman’s appointment as Minister of Natural Resources along with his position as the ministerial focal point for the Guyana- Norway agreement strengthens the partnership.
