Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 PDF

FACULTY OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Environment and Development in Guyana & the Caribbean Course code: ENV 1102 November 15, 2024 Ronn Sullivan Department of Environmental Studies 1  NATIONAL AND...

FACULTY OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Environment and Development in Guyana & the Caribbean Course code: ENV 1102 November 15, 2024 Ronn Sullivan Department of Environmental Studies 1  NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES Objectives Rationale for Action plans and sustainable development strategies, Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. ENV1102: NATIONAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL ENVIRONMENT 11/27/2022 STRATEGIES 2  RECAP Defined Agriculture Industries Urbanisation theories and the and the and the and Environment environment environment concepts Climate WEF Environme Change and security ntal environment Nexus Developme nt Strategies 3  Rational for the Sustainable development strategies and Actions Plans Sustainable development strategy vs an action plan a sustainable development strategy provides the overarching vision and policy framework for achieving sustainability over the long term, while an action plan offers the detailed, task-specific steps to implement aspects of the strategy in the short to medium term. Together, they form a comprehensive approach to sustainable development, with the strategy guiding the direction and the action plan driving the on- the-ground implementation (UN, 2018). 4  Rational for the Sustainable development strategies and Actions The Plans development of sustainable development strategies and action plans by governments is rooted in the global commitment to address pressing challenges and promote sustainable development. While there is no single treaty specifically mandating the development of sustainable development strategies, several international agreements contribute to the global commitment to sustainable development, and they influence the actions of individual nations. The primary and most comprehensive of these is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. The 2030 Agenda includes 17 SDGs with 169 targets covering a wide range of economic, social, and environmental dimensions( UN, 2018). 5  Rational for the Sustainable development strategies and Actions The Plans 2030 Agenda emphasizes the importance of national ownership and the role of each country in adapting the global goals to its own context through the development of national sustainable development strategies. Member States are encouraged to integrate the SDGs into their national planning processes and policies Additionally, the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) outlines the commitment of nations to limit global temperature rise and enhance adaptive capacity. The Paris Agreement encourages countries to develop and communicate long- term low-emission development strategies (LT-LEDS), which align with and contribute to sustainable development objectives. 6 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 What is Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030? “The LCDS is a framework intended to map the path of a new growth trajectory in a non- polluting way. Tropical forest countries have long called for the ecosystem services provided by the world’s standing tropical forests to be properly valued, through both public and private finance. This will enable people who live in forests and forest countries to create jobs and economic opportunity from an economy that works with nature, instead of today’s reality where forests are often worth more dead than alive.” — Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana (2009). The LCDS 2030 sets out four inter-linked objectives for Guyana, the first three of which were the basic objectives of the LCDS since 2009 and the fourth of which was added to reflect new local and global realities: Value Ecosystem Services Invest in Clean Energy and Stimulate Low Carbon Growth Protect Against Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss Align with Global Climate and Biodiversity Goals (https://lcds.gov.gy/) 7 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Overarching objectives of the LCDS 2030: 8 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 LCDS 2030 This LCDS 2030 has been produced after a seven month national consultation on an initial draft, and sets out how Guyana can stay true to the vision set out in 2009. The country can create a model for avoiding deforestation and maintaining forests, while at the same time growing the economy five-fold over 10 years and keeping energy emissions flat; investing in urban, rural and Amerindian development; protecting the coast and hinterland from climate change; creating jobs in a suite of low carbon sectors; aligning the education and health sectors with low carbon development, and integrating Guyana’s economy with its neighbors (https://lcds.gov.gy/). The document comprises eight chapters: 9 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: Chapter 1: Towards 2030- A New ecosystem services economy This LCDS 2030 outlines the country’s plans to continue advancing Guyana’s payment for forest climate services model and investing new revenues in its low carbon economy - while at the same expanding the vision to include Guyana’s other globally significant ecosystem services. As with the original vision, the expanded vision seeks to combine sustainable and equitable development in Guyana with enabling the country to play a vitalrole in protecting globally vital ecosystems. Guyana will advance: low-impact mining and forestry to enhance employment and income generation opportunities; forest climate services through which the value provided by Guyana’s forests to the world is recognized; Guyana’s next generation of ecosystem services such as water management, and biodiversity protection are also highlighted. 10 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: Chapter 1: Towards 2030- A New ecosystem services economy Further, as part of this vision, Guyana’s Protected Areas will be expanded, partners will be sought for the International Centre for Biodiversity Research, and a sustainable Ocean Economy will be nurtured to ensure high-quality, long-term management of the country’s rich ocean resources. 11 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: Chapter 1: Towards 2030- A New ecosystem services economy 12 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: Chapter 1: Towards 2030- A New ecosystem services economy THE OCEAN ECONOMY : Guyana recognizes that if its resources are collectively harnessed, the ocean offers a new frontier for economic development for the benefit of the citizens. Equally, it also provides many intangible services that are vital to human wellbeing. Therefore, the development of a Blue or Ocean Economy is a priority, from which some elements offer an opportunity to bridge the land- ocean nexus via low-carbon growth. 13 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER TWO: Moving to a Market Mechanism for Forest Climate Services Guyana intends to integrate with emerging international markets that value the country’s globally significant ecosystem services.  Carbon markets are the immediate priority because they are the most mature ecosystem services market. Carbon markets are a mechanism by which emitters of greenhouse gas emissions (for example, individuals or companies) compensate for their emissions by buying certified carbon credits to pay either for emissions reductions or sequestration (storage). 14 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER TWO: Moving to a Market Mechanism for Forest Climate Services While the use of carbon credits is a wide and complex field, the two main areas where carbon markets are increasingly used as a policy tool are to create incentives to: (i) start fixing the market failure where the world’s tropical forests are not valued for the climate services they provide; (ii) accelerate the deployment of renewable energy. Guyana will pursue progressive integration with global markets that address these and other areas. This includes relevant voluntary markets (where companies choose to pay for carbon credits to deliver on their corporate strategies to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions reductions and sequestration) and compliance markets (where companies and governments are required by law or regulation to pay for reductions and sequestration) 15 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER TWO: Moving to a Market Mechanism for Forest Climate Services For many years, Guyana, along with most countries, has advocated for the inclusion of forest climate services in carbon markets. This is now part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), through a mechanism known as REDD+. The 2009 LCDS outlined how Guyana intended to start building a mechanism for REDD+, through a three-phase process:  Phase I - a bilateral agreement with a partner which shared Guyana’s vision Phase II – available market-based mechanisms Phase III - a fully-fledged UNFCCC REDD+ mechanism 16 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER TWO: Moving to a Market Mechanism for Forest Climate Services As the payment mechanism evolved through the phases, revenues would be invested in the LCDS – as outlined in Figure 3.1. 17 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. Guyana faces high electricity rates and heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels, primarily Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and diesel. To address this, the country plans a transition to renewable energy sources, starting with natural gas as a bridge, followed by the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, and an expansion of solar, wind, and biomass energy. The goal is to achieve a significant increase in renewable energy by 2030, allowing a five-fold growth in energy use while keeping greenhouse gas emissions relatively flat. The Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), the largest public grid, is central to this transition, with a peak load expected to rise from 135.7 MW in 2021 to an estimated 407 MW by 2025. The DBIS requires new firm capacity to meet this demand, retire aged generators, and improve grid reliability. Without this transition, both greenhouse gas emissions and consumer costs are expected to remain high due to the reliance on imported fossil fuels. 18 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, initially planned for completion before 2020, is a key component of the transition strategy but faced delays from 2015 to 2020. The current government aims to decouple economic growth from fossil fuels by investing in low-carbon energy resources such as solar, hydro, wind, biomass, and natural gas. This involves significant investments in transformative energy infrastructure, fiscal incentives, government policies supporting renewable energy at various levels, and initiatives to enhance overall energy efficiency. 19 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. Natural Gas in DBIS To use natural gas for power generation: a pipeline to bring the natural gas to shore, a processing plant to separate the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and the natural gas, and a gas-fired power plant. Studies confirmed that the natural gas option would significantly reduce the cost of generation. A 300MW gas-fired power plant will be constructed and in operation by 2025. Besides the natural gas-fired power plant, and to provide the necessary firm capacity, new reciprocating 46MW dual fuel (HFO/NG) engines were added to the DBIS grid in 2021. By 2025, with the addition of 300MW of new firm capacity provided with Natural Gas, the reliability of the DBIS grid will increase while the Green House Gas (GHG) emissions associated with electricity generation will be reduced by half. As part of the Natural Gas Programme, the LPG consumed in the country would be provided by the new separation plant and LPG production facility, avoiding the current importation. The planned offshore pipeline is designed to provide larger amounts of gas. In case new discoveries are made, the natural gas could be used for other industrial activities. 20 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. Utility Scale Hydropower in DBIS Hydropower has the potential to provide Guyana with both utility-scale and small- scale capacity. Guyana has a potential for 8.5 Gigawatt (GW) of hydropower on 33 hydropower plants (including storage capacity and run-of-river). It is anticipated that Guyana will build two hydro plants over the next 20 years: Amaila Falls and another which is still to be identified. Of the potential 33 sites, many were assessed in the 70s and 80s, when environmental and social standards were lower. It is anticipated that the new site will be identified by 2025, with the goal of providing 350MW of capacity by 2030 and a further 250MW of capacity by 2035. In the meantime, Amaila Falls will be the focus of the hydropower programme. 21 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) – DBIS  Solar photovoltaic (PV) is close to being established as a mature technology in the country. Local prices are in-line with developed countries and local technology providers have the capacity to supply, install and operate on-grid and off-grid. The Government has secured US$97 million in funding – including US$85 million in payments for forest climate services earned under the Guyana- Norway partnership. This will see the implementation of a 33MWp capacity of solar PV farms at eight different locations. 22 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. By 2024, GPL will have its first solar on-grid PV farm in Berbice with a total capacity of 10 megawatts-peak (MWp) financed by the Guyana-Norway Partnership. The current distributed generation capacity is about 6.5 MWp of rooftop Solar PV. The Government will promote its expansion by implementing a net billing scheme and improving the distribution network to accommodate larger amounts of distributed generation without compromising the grid stability. GPL will update its grid model regularly with the actual and forecasted demand growth, the actual generation capacity and the latest generation technologies, and costs to assess the amount of utility-scale solar that are technical and economically feasible. In the current DBIS model with the base demand forecast, it is estimated that 100MWp of Solar PV capacity would be in operation by 2030. That capacity would be for Distributed Generation solar rooftops and Utility-scale solar farms. 23 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. Wind – DBIS Wind measurements have been conducted in different locations across Guyana to assess the country’s wind energy potential. A favourable wind regime was observed along the Coastland, which is exposed to the steady Northeast trade winds, with speeds averaging 7 metres per second.  A private developer has concluded measures and studies, including the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, for a 25MW wind farm at Hope Beach.  The development of wind farms on Guyana’s shores will mitigate GHG emissions, reduce the energy generation cost, create green jobs, and in some cases can also support adaptation to climate change by fortifying the sea defence infrastructure. In the current DBIS model with the base demand forecast, it is estimated that 105MW of wind capacity would be in operation by 2030. 24 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. Biomass – DBIS There is some practical experience in the use of biomass as an energy resource for self consumption like rice husk in the rice mills, the use of the distillate waste to produce biomethane at Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), or the use of bagasse for co-generation at Skeldon and Albion Sugar Estates.  The Skeldon co-generation plan for 30MW of electricity generation using bagasse from the sugar process was designed to produce excess power that would be exported to the grid. The plant is no longer working as a co-generation system due to the closure of the sugar factory. Albion co-generation plant is still in operation for self-consumption. The Government will continue to research and encourage the utilization of waste biomass resources for energy generation when demonstrated to reduce GHG emissions. 25 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. Isolated Grids Solar PV – Isolated Grids By 2024, revenues earned under the Guyana-Norway partnership and other funding will see investment at 8 different sites. By then, Essequibo Coast, Linden, Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia, Leguan and Wakenaam grids will have an average of 30 percent of their electricity consumed generated by solar PV. In the second and third phases of the programme for the Isolated Grids, there is a planned increase of the Renewable Energy share to an average of 50 percent by 2027 and 70 percent by 2030. Solar PV with battery storage will be the main renewable energy resource on the regional grids. 26 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. Small Hydro – Isolated Grids Guyana is currently implementing three small hydropower projects: a 150kW in Kato, the rehabilitation of Moco-Moco hydropower site, which would increase the capacity up to 0.7MW and a new 1.5MW hydropower plant in Kumu. Moco-Moco and Kumu hydropower projects will provide energy to Lethem grid. It is expected those two projects, in combination with an ongoing solar PV project, will provide the Lethem grid with 100% renewable energy in 2024. Other small hydro projects will be pursued to provide energy to the regional grids as well as Hinterland villages. 27 Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. POLICIES AND INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE CONSUMER CHOICE  Along with investments in transformational infrastructure, Government policy is to encourage individual consumers and businesses to invest in, and use, renewable energy, through fiscal incentives and policies including:  Self-Generation: Self-generation is allowed as per Guyana’s legislation. Any consumer who wishes to interconnect their solar PV system into the public grids to eliminate the need for battery storage (solar PV on-grid) must submit an interconnection request and comply with the Interim Interconnection Requirements set by GPL. 28  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER THREE: Stimulating Future Growth – Clean Energy. POLICIES AND INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE CONSUMER CHOICE  As part of the roof-top solar PV for Government buildings programme, about five megawatts were installed at 291 buildings across the ten Administrative Regions during the period 2012-2020.  Grid Feed-In Mechanism: A grid feed-in mechanism is being advanced by GPL to establish the regulatory framework for consumers to supply excess energy to the grid, from renewable energy sources.  Fiscal Incentives: Machinery and equipment imported for the purposes of generating and utilising renewable energy are eligible for Customs duty and Value-Added Tax Exemptions under existing laws. This includes solar panels, solar lamps, deep-cycle batteries, solar generators, solar water heaters, solar cookers, direct current (DC) solar refrigerators, direct current (DC) solar freezers, direct current (DC) solar air-conditioners, wind turbines, water turbines, and power inverters; and energy-efficient lighting, including compact fluorescent lamps and light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. There is also a one-off tax holiday of two years for corporation tax to importers of items for wind and solar. 29  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FOUR: Stimulating Growth – Low Carbon Development Preventing and Managing Waste: Creating a Circular Economy In a circular economy, resources are kept in use for as long as possible, the maximum value is extracted from them and then, at the end of their life cycle, they are recovered to regenerate new products and materials. Some progress has been made towards better waste management in Guyana in recent years. In 2021, US$5 million was invested to improve solid waste management across the country while US$7 million is being invested in 2022 for the upgrade of existing disposal facilities. 30  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FOUR: Stimulating Growth – Low Carbon Development Preventing and Managing Waste: Creating a Circular Economy However, much more work needs to be done if Guyana is to achieve a circular economy by 2030. This will require significant government and private sector investment over many years, but also behavioural change by citizens and businesses so that waste is prevented, and not just better managed. 31  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FOUR: Stimulating Growth – Low Carbon Development Preventing and Managing Waste: Creating a Circular Economy From 2023, work began to create a circular economy in Guyana, with the conclusion of a strategy in 2023 and implementation to take place over many years, beginning in 2023. This will cover:  Roll out of a national recycling system. New measures to minimise, and where possible eliminate, single-use plastic, batteries, and other specific sources of pollution. Incentives for improved design of products and services to prevent waste Identification of support measures for more efficient and sustainable use of steel and cement. Enabling the public sector to act as a leader in pursuing and demonstrating circular economy practices. Promotion of education measures on avoiding littering and maximising recycling. Incentives for use of Guyana’s timber products in building, construction and manufacturing, recognising that these materials come from sustainably managed forest. 32  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FOUR: Stimulating Growth – Low Carbon Development Preventing and Managing Waste: Creating a Circular Economy In time, all households, businesses and public institutions should have access to segregated waste services (as in many countries, this will likely involve different bins for recycling, food and other compostable substances, and waste).  Improved measures will be in place to tackle illegal dumping. Individuals, businesses, and communities will have a greater understanding of the circular economy and pursue specific measures to prevent waste where possible. 33  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FOUR: Stimulating Growth – Low Carbon Development Sustainable Homes and Communities There are many commonalities between sustainable homes and communities in rural areas, towns and cities, for example, some principles around “green buildings” are universal However, there are also significant differences. As a result, work will be organised around (i) sustainable homes in the hinterland, with a priority focus on village sustainability planning and Amerindian Land Titling; (ii) improved urban planning in cities and towns. 34  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FOUR: Stimulating Growth – Low Carbon Development Expanded Sustainable Economic Sectors Priority Sectors for expansion include: Agriculture and Fisheries Sustainable Forestry Low Impact Mining Tourism Manufacturing and Services 35  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FOUR: Stimulating Growth – Low Carbon Development Low Carbon Infrastructure Transport Infrastructure By 2030, Guyana aims to have made significant progress on the transition from a transportation system largely built around petroleum and diesel vehicles, to one which introduces other affordable and competitive transportation options including electric and lower-carbon public and private transportation. This goal includes land, water, and air-based travel. 36  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FOUR: Stimulating Growth – Low Carbon Development Digital Infrastructure The 2013 version of the LCDS highlighted the importance of digital infrastructure to Guyana’s overall development as well as to the low-carbon vision that gave rise to the LCDS. Several initiatives were set out then, which have since been completed including the expansion of Guyana’s fibre optic capability, targeted support for call centres and Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs), and the completion of telecommunications liberalisation. Other initiatives are in progress, including through the 200 Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hubs in the Hinterland digital access project 37  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FOUR: Stimulating Growth – Low Carbon Development Financial Infrastructure For many Guyanese citizens and small-to-medium businesses (SMEs), access to finance remains a hurdle, whether seeking financial capital to invest in start-ups, to sustain a business through an unexpected external shock, expand in light of opportunities, or increase efficiency through different technologies or processes. 38  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FOUR: Stimulating Growth – Low Carbon Development Climate-Compatible Health and Education Services 39  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FIVE: Protecting Against Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss. With resources from the Guyana-Norway Partnership, Guyana developed a Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy (CRSAP) to set out a comprehensive and overarching framework for adapting and building resilience to climate change impacts. The CRSAP built on the work that had been undertaken in Guyana over previous years and identified key climate risks and priority resilience actions. The most important elements of the CRSAP are being brought up to date. A strategy to finance the remainder of the CRSAP - from ecosystem services payments and other sources - will be put in place and launched in 2023. 40  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER FIVE: Protecting Against Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss. Some of the key elements of the CRSAP include: Sea Defense Enhancement and Maintenance Strengthening Drainage and Irrigation Systems Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture Systems Public Health Adaptation to Climate Change Emergency and Extreme Events/Flood Control and Management 41  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER SIX ALIGNING WITH GLOBAL CLIMATE GOALS: OIL AND GAS Within a Low Carbon Framework Since the first LCDS was published, oil and gas have been discovered off Guyana’s coast, creating new opportunities to transform Guyana’s development prospects. Oil and gas revenues will be managed strategically and responsibly At the same time, the Government recognises that Guyana will need to align development of its oil and gas sector with global trends towards decarbonisation. It will do this through two strategic objectives: Ensuring a domestic low-carbon transition Participating in a global low-carbon transition 42  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER SIX ALIGNING WITH GLOBAL CLIMATE GOALS: OIL AND GAS Within a Low Carbon Framework Guyana’s Policy Position Guyana supports the achievement of Net Zero by the 2050 target, including the more short- term target of a 28% reduction in global oil demand by 2030. Since 2009, Guyana has supported two main global policies: A global price on carbon, whether through a global carbon tax regime or a global carbon market The removal of subsidies for fossil fuel production Tax on Flaring Support for New Technology 43  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER SEVEN :Aligning with Global Climate and Biodiversity Goals Implementing LCDS 2030 will advance progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and Guyana’s multilateral, regional and bilateral agreements within the thematic areas of each programme. In fact, the LCDS is aligned to all SDGs to varying degrees. This alignment will feed into sector level planning and will be integrated within institutional programming at Governmental level. Where existing sector plans already exist, and in instances of new requirements stemming from global, bilateral and regional agreements/ conventions, these will be aligned with LCDS programme areas and future revisions of the LCDS will also take these developments on board.  Implementation will be advanced, where relevant, in collaboration with NGO and development partners. As outlined throughout this LCDS 2030, Guyana is following a development pathway that aims to simultaneously progress national and global solutions around development, climate change and ecosystem services. While national policies and plans are set through national processes, at the same time, Guyana is committed to a wide array of international treaties, conventions on pledges on climate, biodiversity and other broader sustainability 44  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER SEVEN :Aligning with Global Climate and Biodiversity Goals Implementing LCDS 2030 will advance progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and Guyana’s multilateral, regional and bilateral agreements within the thematic areas of each programme. In fact, the LCDS is aligned to all SDGs to varying degrees. This alignment will feed into sector level planning and will be integrated within institutional programming at Governmental level. Where existing sector plans already exist, and in instances of new requirements stemming from global, bilateral and regional agreements/ conventions, these will be aligned with LCDS programme areas and future revisions of the LCDS will also take these developments on board.  Implementation will be advanced, where relevant, in collaboration with NGO and development partners. As outlined throughout this LCDS 2030, Guyana is following a development pathway that aims to simultaneously progress national and global solutions around development, climate change and ecosystem services. While national policies and plans are set through national processes, at the same time, Guyana is committed to a wide array of international treaties, conventions on pledges on climate, biodiversity and other broader sustainability 45 46 47 48 49  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER EIGHT: Involving all Guyanese in the Low Carbon Development Ongoing engagement of all Guyanese is essential to successfully create a new low carbon economy in Guyana. This is being done through (i) a national consultative process; (ii) ongoing input from the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee; (iii) the national budgeting process; (iv) ongoing communication and awareness-raising. In line with this approach, this LCDS 2030 was produced after a seven month national consultation from October 2021 to June 2022. The National Consultation consisted of (i) national level engagements; (ii) thematic engagements; (iii) community based consultations; (iv) receipt of written feedback; (v) feedback via a website; (vi) an active public engagement programme; (vii) oversight by a Multi Stakeholder Steering Committee (MSSC). 50  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER EIGHT: Involving all Guyanese in the Low Carbon Development Ongoing engagement of all Guyanese is essential to successfully create a new low carbon economy in Guyana. This is being done through (i) a national consultative process; (ii) ongoing input from the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee; (iii) the national budgeting process; (iv) ongoing communication and awareness-raising. In line with this approach, this LCDS 2030 was produced after a seven month national consultation from October 2021 to June 2022. The National Consultation consisted of (i) national level engagements; (ii) thematic engagements; (iii) community based consultations; (iv) receipt of written feedback; (v) feedback via a website; (vi) an active public engagement programme; (vii) oversight by a Multi Stakeholder Steering Committee (MSSC). 51  Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 Key highlights: CHAPTER EIGHT: Involving all Guyanese in the Low Carbon Development Ongoing engagement of all Guyanese is essential to successfully create a new low carbon economy in Guyana. This is being done through (i) a national consultative process; (ii) ongoing input from the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee; (iii) the national budgeting process; (iv) ongoing communication and awareness-raising. In line with this approach, this LCDS 2030 was produced after a seven month national consultation from October 2021 to June 2022. The National Consultation consisted of (i) national level engagements; (ii) thematic engagements; (iii) community based consultations; (iv) receipt of written feedback; (v) feedback via a website; (vi) an active public engagement programme; (vii) oversight by a Multi Stakeholder Steering Committee (MSSC). 52 Green State Development Strategy Collaborative effort by the Government of Guyana and the United Nations (UN) Country Team to guide the country’s economic and socio- cultural development by diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on traditional sectors and creating new sustainable income and investment opportunities. The establishment of a Green Economy is fundamental to the development of a Green State and achieving the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040 is Guyana’s twenty-year, national development policy that reflects the guiding vision and principles of the ‘green agenda’: “An inclusive and prosperous Guyana that provides a good quality of life for all its citizens based on sound education and social protection, low-carbon and resilient development, providing new economic 53 Green State Development Strategy Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040 provides a comprehensive set of strategic action lines to guide public investment. The Strategy therefore promotes 3 key messages: · Manage natural resource wealth; · Support economic resilience; and · Build human capital and institutional capacity. Development objectives therefore seek to improve the health, education and overall well-being of Guyanese citizens, to lift people out of poverty through an economy that generates decent jobs and that provides opportunities for sustaining livelihoods over the long term. Simply put, the GSDS is Guyana’s roadmap to becoming a ‘green state’. It provides a framework for ending poverty, prioritizing public education and public health, protecting the environment and promoting renewable energy, inter alia. 54 Sustainable Development Goals Voluntary Review Report Voluntary national reviews (VNRs), are an important innovation as a United Nations process for follow up to the adoption of development agendas. The approach is to be voluntary, transparent and participatory as well as based on robust evidence. The process is intended to facilitate learning from national experiences and to promote accountability to citizens. ▪Link: 55  SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEW REPORTS “The Review highlights the progress made in implementing the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 70/1 entitled: Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its predecessor, the United Nations Millennium Declaration. The Review traces the progress and explains the challenges faced in expanding prosperity, preserving and protecting the environment and in promoting human development and social cohesion. Notable achievements include achieving food security and reducing hunger, increasing access to 11/27/2022 clean water and sanitation, expanding climate 56 change mitigation measures and improving