Indigenous Organisation Congratulates Guyana on first Carbon Credits sale

Dec 06, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

As President of the National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF and on behalf of the supporters of NADF, I wish to extend heartiest congratulations to the Government of Guyana for achieving this historic milestone of signing the first sale agreement of carbon credits between Guyana and Hess Corp. at State House, Main Street, Georgetown. I shall not attempt to repeat the sterling presentations by our President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo and Mr. Hess.

In retrospect COP 15, which was held at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark during December 2009, proved to be a motivational, empowering and energizing tool for the Indigenous Peoples in Guyana. The Government of Guyana on that Occasion had a battery of Indigenous NGO’s waving to the world the flag of the Low Carbon Development Strategy and the fight against Climate Change. On return to Guyana, the National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF), Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP) and The Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (TAAMOG) worked assiduously with the Government in its collaboration and interaction with the Indigenous population on climate change awareness.

Vice President at the signing of the Carbon credits sale agreement sadly reported that COP 15 did not foster much positive results as some developed countries failed to accept climate change as real and some failed to honour their commitments to mitigating Climate Change. However, that did not deter Guyana’s position as we are recognized for our Global leadership on climate and forests. Those who echoed the opinion of misguidance and non-realistic evidence to support the fact that climate change is happening are silenced today through the historic signing of agreement of ‘sale of carbon credits’ between Guyana and Hess Corp. To curtail the prolonged chronology of a masterful vision of garnering benefits from preservation of Forests, I now shelve this grand accomplishment in the archives of Climate change.

The National Amerindian Development Foundation, applauds the Government of Guyana for its committed strong leadership, strategic planning and astute ability to propel the fight against climate change. The success story of sales of carbon credits did not evolve without its challenges. As mentioned, COP 15 motivated, empowered and energized the Amerindians, as at that forum the road to mitigating climate change was never visualized to be a walk through the park. Forest preservation and dwelling within the forest is a way of life for the Amerindians and so supported and stood steadfast with the Government while negotiations on the carbon storage capacity of Guyana’s 18 million hectares and the service it can offer to the world was being negotiated.

Today, the sale of carbon credits to Hess Corp. has created one of the most robust intervention platforms for the Indigenous peoples in Guyana. These platforms include economic development, governance, land security, health, education, social, food security and infrastructure development. This great achievement follows closely behind the heels of one of the most successful National Toshaos Council Conferences where a clear commitment to make life better for the Indigenous peoples was demonstrated.

Finally, this manifestation came from Governments hard work, strong leadership, clear vision, commitment and astute planning which clearly validates the Government’s commitment to Guyana and its Indigenous Peoples. NADF now join the Government in charging the Indigenous peoples to be visionary, projective, and crafty in planning, develop community “think tanks” and be supportive of Government’s efforts to spread benefits that will enhance communities’ development throughout Guyana. Lastly, establish a financial mechanism to manage, monitor and control the expected wave of activities and expenditures towards Amerindian development.

Ashton Simon

President – NADF