BVI to model Guyana in leveraging ocean for sustainable funds
The BVI is expected to explore a sustainability model — patterned after a programme that has been successfully executed by the Guyana government — for the territory’s ocean life.
Deputy Premier, Lorna Smith, explained recently that she spoke with Vice President of Guyana, Dr Bharat Jagdeo, during a recent trade mission there, about that country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
The programme, Smith said, allowed Guyana to earn carbon credits to the tune of $750 million for retaining portions of its vast forests.
“We discussed with him how best we might follow that kind of of journey – we’re not gonna get $750 million – but that was an area, in terms of the low carbon development strategy, that we pursued with him,” Smith said.
Smith explained that efforts are already underway for the BVI to benefit from the model as technical persons have had extensive discussions with her and a team to get a better understanding of how a similar programme could be implemented.
“We don’t have Guyanese forests – the millions of hectares, but we have all our sea, we have our water, and we have our reefs, and that’s what we are going to be using, in terms of developing, you know, our blue finance,” Smith said.
Guyana started its LCDS in 2009 – embarking on a journey to protect its rainforests and fight climate change while helping to grow its economy. The programme meant a reduction in forestry in order to help stop the release of harmful carbons into the atmosphere.
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Somehow i feel this whole Guyana mission have some kind of personal agenda attached to it.
I do not trust this woman. Anybody who could campaign against one thing yesterday and then join that same thing today because they see an opening for a position for themselves is a fraud and cannot be trusted.
Lorna your first priority as far as the people are concerned is not about foreign interest. They elected you to first stabilize this economy. The Banks and insurance companies are digging the people’s eyes out of their heads. It first started with the hurricanes where many businesses and persons were financially destroyed.
And some of these same insurance and bank owners bought up their homes after they could not survive their cruel and inhumane not to mention unethical policies allegedly.
The people saw you as a savior with the knowledge and experience but they forgot that you too serve on the board of a bank whom I’m sure your first order of business is to protect them and others in the industry. Rather than making the banks pay the insurance for commercial loans you all going to Guyana in a pipe dream and going to build an airport.
We have a bank here that was allowed to come in, a bank that seems only interested in sucking the life of the people in this country allegedly. And as for the Peoples Bank, allegedly it is run by two of the most heartless and conniving women on this island. The people are disappointed and some even say by the end of this year we need to go back to the polls.
Is she in our corner or Guyana’s corner?
There has to be some personal interest here. Once Delila in it something got to be up. I wonder if she asked the President of Guyana to join his government and to put her in charge of the oil. LOL.
We can’t think for ourselves? We already have laws for the sea/ocean….what we need is to come up with a plan to execute them and punish the people who think they can do what ever they want.
The news article provides details on how the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is looking to adopt a sustainability model inspired by Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). BVI’s focus will be on the protection and conservation of its marine environment. Here’s a suggested course of action for BVI based on the article and Guyana’s LCDS:
1. Understanding the Guyana Model: Before any action is taken, it’s essential to thoroughly understand the Guyana model. This involves:
• Researching Guyana’s LCDS in detail.
• Determining how they sold their carbon credits.
• Recognizing the regulations, incentives, and controls Guyana put in place to reduce deforestation.
2. Tailoring to BVI’s Unique Assets: Guyana’s model centers around their vast forests. BVI must adapt this model to protect its own resources, namely the sea, water, and reefs.
• Consider initiatives that protect and restore coral reefs.
• Develop sustainable fishing practices that ensure marine biodiversity.
• Look into seagrass and mangrove conservation, both of which can serve as carbon sinks.
3. Blue Carbon Credits: As forests act as carbon sinks on land, the oceans play a similar role by absorbing large amounts of CO2. BVI can:
• Measure the carbon sequestration potential of its marine ecosystems.
• Offer ‘blue carbon’ credits for the preservation of marine life, similar to how Guyana earned credits for forest conservation.
4. Engage Stakeholders: Ensure all stakeholders, from the local fishing community to international environmental organizations, are involved. Their buy-in is crucial for the success of such an initiative.
5. Legislation and Policies: Draft and implement laws and regulations that protect the marine environment. These could include:
• Regulations against harmful fishing practices.
• Zoning laws that restrict certain activities in critical marine areas.
• Incentives for businesses that practice sustainable marine activities.
6. Public Awareness: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate the population about the importance of conserving the marine environment. When the public is informed, they are more likely to support and participate in such initiatives.
7. Economic Opportunities: Like Guyana, BVI should look for ways to balance environmental conservation with economic growth. This could involve:
• Promoting eco-tourism, where tourists visit marine protected areas and contribute to their preservation.
• Encouraging sustainable marine businesses, such as aquaculture, that don’t harm the environment.
8. Monitoring & Evaluation: Regularly evaluate the success of the program. Use data and metrics to determine if marine life is thriving, if the carbon sequestration goals are being met, and if economic benefits are accruing to the territory.
9. Seek Partnerships: Form alliances with international environmental organizations, governments, and other stakeholders that can offer technical and financial support.
10. Continuous Learning: The environment is dynamic, and new challenges will arise. BVI should always be open to adapting its strategies based on new information or changing circumstances.
In conclusion, while BVI’s environment is very different from Guyana’s, the principles of the LCDS can still be applied. The key is tailoring the approach to the unique challenges and opportunities BVI faces.
It sure did! How much was the premier … paid to do PR on this mission trip to guyana when the government has an entire information service department? So no one from GIS could have attended this trip instead of using outside services with a conflict of interest? Smh this whole mission trip seemed a total waste of time and nothing substantial resulted from it besides a free trip.
I’m sick of hearing of the wonders of Guyana.
I mean zero disrespect to its citizens, but please, enough already.
Stop with the brainwashing.
good thing tis a guayanese in her ear and not a african like them dat have da pastor like a moomoo building schools in africa and he aint build none weh he from, cause we woulda get worse than what the duck and dog does get. selling out the country to anybody and helping everybody and aint taking care of their own. she should be shame
you sound impressive some thought that ( OIL EXPLORATION ) would of been one of their agenda for going there / they have competent people here that can do what you mentioned , but they lack the integrity / they are only interested in POWER for themselves , family and friends ( while the white lady is slowly taking over / who ain’t enjoying the benefits even though
it’s short lived are hooked on it
We can preserve sage mountain area.
When is Delila going to show interest in the Bvi?
Her family from Guyana ?