The reduction of green house gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation,
especially in tropical countries, is a necessary action for the mitigation of global climate
change. Guyana is one of few countries which maintain a high forest cover (85%) and a
low rate of deforestation (<0.1%). Guyana has articulated a Low Carbon Development
Strategy (LCDS) by which it intends to maintain the climate regulation services
provided by its forest and receive REDD+ payments. Increased deforestation, primarily
form alluvial gold mining, however threatens success of the LCDS.
This master’s project reviews the regulatory and policy environment for forest
management in Guyana and utilizes experiences of the management of a conservation
concession in the upper Essequibo River. The study analyzes benefits and costs of
management of the conservation concession under the conditions of its establishment
and three alternative scenarios. Recommendations are provided for the enabling of
conservation concessions in the context of the LCDS.
The study recommends enacting regulatory conditions to limit deforestation,
establishing means to mitigate and offset deforestation, and enabling optimal value
flows for conservation concession management