Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has successfully piloted a $31 Billion Supplementary Appropriation Bill which the National Assembly endorsed on Thursday.
The Ministry of Finance, in a statement, said the Bill, comprising Financial Papers Number 1 and 2 of 2023, was first presented on April 24. It allocates US$150 million in revenues from carbon credits towards two critical priorities under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
According to the statement, the recent payment of US$37.5 million from the Hess Corporation for carbon credits brings the total payments received to date to US$150 million, the highest revenue stream of its kind in the world.
As outlined in the bill, the allocated revenues will be directed towards two major priorities of the LCDS.
PRIORITY ONE: EMPOWERING VILLAGES THROUGH INVESTMENTS
In line with the LCDS objectives, 15 per cent of the revenues are being dedicated to bottom-up investments through community plans outlined in village sustainability plans.
Villages have the autonomy to choose whether or not to participate in the benefit-sharing mechanism, and thus far, 200 out of Guyana’s 242 villages have produced their village plans.
The strategic investment empowers villages across Guyana by providing the necessary resources and support to enhance their social, economic, and environmental well-being.
By involving villages in the planning and decision-making process, this allocation promotes community ownership and ensures effective utilisation of funds to address their specific needs, the Finance Ministry said.
The village plans designed by community members include infrastructure development, education and healthcare initiatives, entrepreneurship support, cultural preservation, and other projects that foster sustainable community development.
PRIORITY TWO: PROMOTING CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE
Recognising the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change, the government is prioritising one of the largest investments in climate adaptation in Guyana’s history.
A substantial portion of the allocated funds, approximately US$127.5 million, will be dedicated to implementing comprehensive climate adaptation measures throughout the country.
Guyana, with its extensive coastal areas and diverse ecosystems, is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and shifting rainfall patterns.
By investing in climate adaptation, Guyana will enhance its ability to mitigate these risks and build resilience, ensuring the protection of its people, infrastructure, and natural resources.
This considerable investment will support various climate adaptation initiatives, including the construction of two major canals in Regions 5 and 6, the rehabilitation of 20 sluices in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, as well as the procurement of pumps and excavators for use across multiple regions.
