EMC has been directly involved in climate change through its management of the Saxacalli Rainforest Centre, and the work of its Managing Director as Chairman of Guyana’s National Climate Committee.

The Saxacalli Rainforest Centre

EMC recognizes the important contribution of tropical forests to climate change mitigation and is taking the initiative to conserve 25 acres of pristine tropical forest on the left bank of Guyana’s Essequibo River. As an environmental consultancy, EMC has adopted a carbon-neutral policy and is managing the Saxacalli Rainforest Centre as a Carbon-Offset Project.

The Centre, one of Guyana’s first private protected area, covers an area rich in biodiversity, including economically viable timber species such as the reknown greenheart and crabwood; as well as a unique mix of epiphytes including many orchids and other non-timber forest products such as cufa and mucru as well as palms such as the ite, courru and kokerite. The faunal diversity of the area includes such species as the agouti, deer, armadillo, yellow-footed turtles, jaguars, squirrel monkeys, capuchin and howler monkeys while the bird diversity of the Saxacalli area is one of its unique features and the abundance includes many species of vultures, hawks, falcon, currasows, hummingbirds, kingfishers, jacamar, woodpeckers, toucans, macaws and parrots.

The Saxacalli Rainforest Centre has been open to students and nature lovers, providing an opportunity for research, awareness and relaxation

Guyana’s National Climate Committee

In March 2007, EMC’s Managing Director, Mr. Shyam Nokta, was appointed Chairman of the National Climate Committee of Guyana. The Committee is responsible for providing technical advise to the Government of Guyana on climate issues and to coordinate national efforts.

Mr. Nokta has been representing Guyana at a number of national and international fora on climate change including:
  • Being a Team Member to the delegation of President of Guyana, His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo to the United Nations High Level Summit on Climate Change, convened by the UN Secretary General held on September 24th 2007, United Nations, New York.

  • Heading Guyana’s Technical Team to the 13th Conference of Parties Meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held from December 1st to 14th 2007, Bali, Indonesia

  • Representing Guyana at the 16th Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Latin America and the Caribbean held from January 29th to February 1st 2008, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.