Framework of the Guyana Green State Development Strategy and Financing Mechanisms.

The Vision 2030 for Guyana Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) is as follows: “A Green, Inclusive and Prosperous Guyana that provides a good quality of life for all its citizens based on a sound education and social protection, low-carbon resilient development, green and decent jobs, economic opportunities, individual equality, justice, and political empowerment. Guyana serves as a model of sustainable development and environmental security worldwide, demonstrating the transition to a decarbonised and resource efficient economy that values and integrates the multi-ethnicity of our country and enhances the quality of life for all Guyanese.” The strategy considers and puts emphasis on the balance between the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental to ensure comprehensive implementation of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. 1) Social cohesion and inclusion: human rights, multi-ethnicity and gender equality, nondiscrimination and protection of vulnerable and marginalized population groups. 2) Well-being, education and quality of life and of the environment. 3) Sustainable use of biodiversity and resource efficiency. 4) Decarbonisation and climate resilience. 5) Sustainable finance. 6) Good governance, decentralisation and participatory processes.
The principles of the Framework are the values and objectives that support the Vision 2030 and serve as social and environmental safeguards to ensure an integrated human approach for the transition to an inclusive green growth and better quality of life for all Guyanese. These principles are cross-cutting elements in all themes of the GSDS. The strategy considers and puts emphasis on the balance between the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental to ensure comprehensive implementation of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. Seven central themes are identified to contribute to the transition to a Green State: 1. Green and Inclusive Structural Transformation: Diversifying the economic base, accessing new markets and creating decent jobs for all; 2. Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Expansion of Environmental Services: stewardship of natural patrimony; 3. Energy – Transition to Renewable Energy and Greater Energy Independence; 4. Resilient Infrastructure and Spatial Development; 5. Human Development and Well-being; 6. Governance and Institutional Pillars; 7. International Cooperation, Trade and Investment.
These themes will be comprehensively developed and implemented in the Green State Development Strategy, responding to the country’s human and economic development, and addressing both the “Energy Transition Plan” and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the national level. The strategy will identify and prioritise public interventions to diversify agricultural production, increase productivity and reduce negative environmental impacts. The sustainability of logging practices can contribute to increasing forest biomass and carbon stocks, whether directly or indirectly. This strategic area relates closely to the previous area of agricultural diversification and productivity improvements, and the two need to be planned and implemented in unison.
The strategic approach which will be adopted to address the structural transformation of Guyana’s economy into a green and inclusive one will recognise the economic value of the extractive sectors, instituting measures to ensure their environmental sustainability while facilitating new economic growth from a more diverse set of inclusive, green and high value-adding sectors. Emphasis will be placed on a number of areas which will contribute to facilitating a shift from a heavy reliance on a commodities-dependent productive base to one that is more diversified, value-adding, inclusive and green: 3.1.1 Resource extraction for sustainable development; 3.1.2 Sustainable, productive, climate-resilient and diversified agriculture; 3.1.3 Green, inclusive, high value-adding industrial development; 3.1.4 Enabling business environment. Focus will be placed on conducting a long-term resource management plan for the non-renewable extractive sectors (mining and oil) with the explicit goal of optimising generated wealth to support stable and balanced economic growth.
Guyana’s non-urban infrastructure including coastal protection and road and rail transport connections to the hinterland and between coastal towns is a vital cornerstone of the green transition. To ensure that Guyana can continue its green transition and achieve economic prosperity, well-functioning and reliable infrastructure that can support trade flows and travel, and protect economic assets and human settlements from natural catastrophes, is paramount. The Government of Guyana has set a number of national goals and targets related to the protection and sustainable use of natural resources – in particular forest and biodiversity, as well as a set of international goals and targets, including, inter alia, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Governance considerations and adequate supporting mechanisms/institutions are important to ensure social inclusion, poverty alleviation and equity in a country with several layers of inequality (geographic, ethnic, gender, generational, social, etc.).