WWF-Guianas holds biodiversity engagement on reducing gold mining, agriculture threats

Under the BIODEV2030 initiative, WWFGuianas held a Biodiversity Engagement Consolidation event linking two key economic sectors, agriculture and gold mining, to mainstreaming biodiversity with a discussion on how to reduce pressures and threats on the environment created by activities within those sectors.

A press release from WWF Guianas said that the event saw participation from several government agencies, private sector organisations, civil society organisations, academia, and Indigenous Groups, all of whom were presented with the results and outcomes of the BioDev 2030 project. The consolidation event is considered to be the crossroads for the Biodev2030 Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Economic Sectors Project, where an overall assessment of the accomplishments is made, and what the next steps are for Guyana.

The release said that WWF-Governance coordinator Dr. Devon Dublin highlighted the importance of developing a framework for the various actors to work together. “… What is needed in Guyana is a more consolidated approach governed by a legislative policy framework that allows all stakeholders within the respective sectors to work together to reach their environmental sustainability goals”.

High on the agenda was the reduction and regulation of use of harmful chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides) used in agriculture, and the promotion of the use of biopesticides, biofertilizers and integrated pest management (IPM) in farming. Whilst for the gold mining sector, representatives of the various agencies discussed techniques to reduce environmental impacts through measures such as the reduction and recycling of the use of cyanide and mercury and the adoption of mercury-free techniques in mining operations.

Aiesha Williams, country manager of WWF-Guianas, Guyana office, remarked that, “The majority of our communities’ livelihood activities are intertwined with the rich natural resources, as well as most of the economic sectors. With Guyana aiming to advance its low-carbon economy by 2030, and with commitments to progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Convention on Biological Diversity and Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework, we at WWF believe that biodiversity conservation is an important prerequisite to achieving low carbon and sustainable development… ”.

The WWF Guianas release said that the Biodiversity Engagement Consolidation event collated feedback and explored