Specialists from the Energy and Research Institute (TERI) in India have completed the technical studies on priority projects under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), and will compile and present a report to the Office of Climate Change (OCC), complete with recommendations and interventions where necessary, to guide the government’s plan of action. The two-month endeavour, which is in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Guyana and TERI, has its origins in a visit to India earlier this year by former President Bharrat Jagdeo and Head of the Climate Change Unit, Shyam Nokta.

The MSSC has observed with dismay the reduction by the combined Opposition of the 2012 budget for green projects under Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy from approximately 18 billion dollars (GY$) to one dollar ( GY$1).

From the inception of the LCDS several years ago, we the members of the MSSC have been integrally involved in the entire process. It is especially shocking that these cuts were made to LCDS projects which were subject to a nationwide consultation process and for which the people of Guyana expressed their support.

Much hard work and dedication have been invested to bring us to this stage where we are implementing the LCDS. It is disheartening that these cuts have halted our work and put at risk LCDS projects that would benefit all Guyanese. Moreover, it could jeopardise our mutual agreement with the Government of Norway from which Guyana is expected to receive up to US$250M by 2015. It could also result in the turning away of hundreds of millions of US dollars in foreign direct investment for our country.

The projects that will be affected are:

• The Amaila Falls Hydro project which will see the removal of Guyana’s energy related emissions and bring on-line a cheaper and more reliable source of energy that will thereby reduce end-user tariffs in Guyana.;
• The Amerindian Development Fund intended to channel funds directly to Amerindian communities to support economic development through community-identified priority projects that are identified in Community Development Plans which were put together by dozens of communities over recent years;
• Amerindian Land Titling intended to fast track the titling and demarcation process for all eligible villages and communities and ultimately strengthen land-tenure rights and improve long-term community development;
• Micro and Small Enterprise Development program which seeks to address the major bottlenecks in the development of a robust entrepreneurial and small business sector in Guyana;
• The Cunha Canal rehabilitation, which is the first adaptation project under the LCDS, to enable a significant increase in the canal’s discharge capacity and contribute to reducing the risks of the embankment overtopping and the flooding of areas along the East Bank of the Demerara River, and thereby protect the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, as well as reducing the threat to hundreds of thousands of people.
• The Centre for Biodiversity Studies to be based at the University of Guyana, which would allow for investment in infrastructure, personnel, facilities and equipment to develop a self-sustaining
• world-class scientific research centre.
• The Institutional Strengthening program that will enhance national institutional capacity for Guyana to address climate change and implement the LCDS;
• The hinterland electrification project which will see the installation of 11,000 solar home systems in 150 communities;
• The One Laptop Per Family project which seeks to engender the building of a knowledge based society through the free distribution of 90,000 Laptop computers to low income earners, as Guyana charts an ambitious new development frontier path with Information Communication Technologies (ICT); and
• E-Governance Fiber Optic Cable project which will serve as the backbone of a larger ICT strategy as the Government seeks to improve and lower the cost of access to information and essential government services.

We believe that these actions by the combined opposition in the National Assembly are not in the national interest, are not reflective of the collective views and desires of the majority of the people of Guyana, and do not augur well for the developmental aspirations of our country.

We therefore urge the combined opposition to rethink its strategy so as to allow continuity of the LCDS initiative.

The Office of Climate Change is pleased to introduce its news letter "Focus on the LCDS". We invite you to become acquainted with the progress of Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy through this newsletter.

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Focus on the LCDS - Volume 1

The Office of Climate Change (OCC) notes the proposed budget cuts to most of the LCDS, and to GRIF-funded projects by the joint opposition in the National Assembly.This proposal risks creating a complete reversal of significant gains made in modernizing Guyana as our country prepares for the future. The proposal should be stated for what it is: a plan to cut beneficial programmes which will affect every section of our society: rich and poor, young and old, on the coast and in the hinterland.