Norway commits to help Guyana’s clean energy transition

President David Granger and Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen, Thursday met on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Convention in Marrakesh, Morocco, on the way forward for their forest and climate partnership.

“The cornerstones of the Guyana-Norway partnership are to safeguard Guyana’s rainforest, improve forest governance and support Guyana’s holistic green development, including the transition to green and renewable energy,” a joint statement of the two countries said. Norway had entered a groundbreaking deal with Guyana a few years ago for US$250M that would have seen this country receiving cash to ensure that forest remains standing. The deal expired last year with the new Government announcing intentions to seek a renewal. However, the previous arrangement is not over yet with monies stilled owed by Norway. Guyana is still to complete a number of requirements before a new deal is signed. Norway has granted Guyana an extension to complete its side of the arrangements. According to the statement, Granger used the opportunity to outline a holistic vision for Guyana’s green development. He detailed, as part of this vision, Guyana’s ambitions in the areas of climate mitigation, coastal zone management, conservation, renewable energy, biodiversity management and eco-systems management.

“My administration is committed to the establishment of the ‘green’ state and creating the institutions and the governance structures to ensure that we achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the shortest possible time. I am pleased that the dialogue with Norway is advancing,” he said. The meeting confirmed that Guyana has kept its deforestation rate low since the start of the partnership, and is making good progress on agreed forest governance reforms and is pursuing a mix of clean energy solutions. (Kaieteurnews.com)