EMC aligns with International Day of Forests Message: “Forests and Biodiversity, Too Precious to Lose”
International Day of Forests is celebrated on March 21st and this year the theme is “Forests and Biodiversity, Too Precious to Lose.”
Guyana’s forests cover more than 18 million hectares, approximately 85% of the total land area, and is situated in both the Amazon and Guiana Shield eco-regions. Guyana’s forests are rich in biodiversity, with many rare, endangered, and threatened species and many more still to be discovered.
Guyana has consistently demonstrated its commitment to sustainably manage its forests for the benefit of people and biodiversity and to contribute to the fight against global climate change. Indeed, Guyana is one of the few countries in the world to be highly forested with low rates of deforestation. In 2009, Guyana entered into a landmark partnership with Norway which recognised the value of forests and established one of the first mechanisms of payment for forest climate services. The implementation of the model has allowed Guyana to earn up to US$250 Million and the lessons learned have helped shape the REDD+ component of the Paris Agreement and served as a useful guide for other forest countries pursuing REDD+. Guyana’s initiatives to protect biodiversity goes as far back as the early 1900’s when the Kaieteur National Park was established by the then colonial Government. Guyana’s partnership with the Commonwealth of Nations in 1989 to establish the Iwokrama International Centre has provided a unique opportunity to demonstrate sustainable forest management and forest conservation.
Environmental Management Consultants (EMC) wishes to align with the United Nations to observe International Day of Forests 2020 under the theme “Forests and Biodiversity, Too Precious to Lose.” We also support the UN Secretary General’s call that 2020 will be the year that the world turns the tide on deforestation and forests loss. Personnel from EMC have been critically involved in several of Guyana’s national initiatives. EMC will continue to play our part to promote sustainable management of Guyana’s forests so as to support livelihoods and communities, protect biodiversity and ecosystems, and combat global climate change.