Guyana

Guyana's National Institutional Arrangements for the Issuance of Correspondingly Adjusted Carbon Credits

Guyana's national institutional arrangements for the issuance of correspondingly adjusted carbon credits are designed to align with UNFCCC standards and ensure transparency, accountability, and effectiveness. They are also designed to facilitate ongoing sales within the voluntary and compliance carbon markets.

Submission of Document under Article 6

The Government of Guyana is providing an update on the signing authority for the submission of Initial and Annual Reports under Article 6.

Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) Program The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) Validation Report

Aster Global Environmental Solutions, Inc., (Aster Global) prepared this validation report in accordance with the outlined requirements of the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), specifically for The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), version 2.0, August 2021. Aster Global presents validation findings for the ART/TREES Programme of the Guyana Forestry Commission TREES Registration Document prepared by Guyana Forestry Commission. The Program validation was conducted as part of ART’s requirements for the systematic, independent, and documented evaluation of a TREES Registration Document against applicable requirements of TREES.

Trees Verification Opinion 2021

Aster Global confirms all verification activities, including objectives; scope and criteria; level of assurance; and the Monitoring Report’s adherence to TREES and validated Registration Document, as documented in this report, are complete. Aster Global concludes without any qualifications or limiting conditions that the Program meets the requirements of ART/TREES. Aster Global applied a positive opinion that the Program meets the requirements of ART.

Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) Program The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) Verification Report Calendar Year 1 (2021) for the Second 5-year Crediting Period

Aster Global Environmental Solutions, Inc., (Aster Global) prepared this verification report in accordance with the outlined requirements of the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), specifically for The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), version 2.0, August 2021. Aster Global presents verification findings for the ART/TREES Programme of the Guyana Forestry Commission TREES Monitoring Report prepared by Guyana Forestry Commission. The Program verification was conducted as part of ART’s requirements for the quantification, monitoring, and reporting of GHG emissions; demonstration of implementation of the Cancún Safeguards; and verification, registration, and issuance of TREES credits.

Guyana Forestry Commission Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS) Year 5 Interim Measures Report

This Report describes the satellite imagery and GIS datasets, and processing of these data. It also provides a summary of the Interim Measures; that report on Guyana's progress towards implementation of REDD+.

Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS) MRVS Report – Assessment Year 2019 Version 2

Version 1 of the Report was released for a 6-week period. Following the period of public review, Version 2 of the report is produced and addresses all comments made under the public review process and feedback to each comment, including corresponding revisions to the report to address these comments where these apply. This Version is subject to independent third-party verification. The final version of the Report (Version 3) includes all elements of Version 2, and additionally, integrates the findings of the verification process, and is made public via the GFC website.

Government of Guyana, Submission for UN REDD Info Hub Lima Hub

The table contains: Country, Year, Results (tCO2/year), Assessed Forest Reference Level (tCO2/year), Quantities for Which Payments were received (tCO2/year), Entity paying for results and Links to Documentation.

A low-carbon development strategy, Transforming Guyana’s Economy While Combating Climate Change

This document is the third draft of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). It reflects the outcome of almost a year of review and consultation within Guyana, coupled with input from climate change negotiations at the United Nations, and other international climate change initiatives. The document sets out Guyana’s strategy to forge a new low carbon economy over the coming decade. It identifies the eight priorities that will be the initial focus of LCDS implementation in 2010 and 2011, gives an outline of the priorities for the period 2012-2015, and sets out the framework for further consultation and strategy development on Guyana’s long-term low carbon development.

Letter of Approval and Authorization 2021

Host Country Letter of Assurance and Authorisation related to REDD+ and Guyana’s Jurisdictional ART TREES Programme – Guyana ART Programme ID: 102.

Explanatory Note 1, Submission for UN REDD Info Hub, Government of Guyana

Norway’s payments to Guyana for reduced emissions from deforestation were based on the methodology agreed between both parties and set out in the Joint Concept Note (JCN). The payments covered performance in the period 2009 to 2015 – and while most payments were performance based, there were some elements that were not. Only the performance-based payments are shown in this table.

Article 6, Paragraph 2 Initial Report (AIR) Referred to in Decision 2/CMA.3, Annex, Chapter IV.A (Initial Report) in Respect of Authorisation of ITMOs

Article 6, Paragraph 2 Initial Report for the cooperative approach "Emissions Reductions from Sustainable Management of Forests".

Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS), MRVS Report – Assessment Year 2021

In 2020, the Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) moved into its third phase in line with tasks set out in the MRVS Road Map. This document outlines the stepwise progression and development of the MRVS for the next five years 2020 – 2024.

Guyana First Biennial Update Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

This publication has been prepared by the Government of Guyana with support from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and Gauss International Consulting.

Annual Report to the UNFCCC on Agreed Electronic Format Referred to in Decision 2/CMA.3, Annex IV.B

This report contains the following: Submission, Elements of Authorization, Actions and Holdings.

Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS) MRVS Report – Assessment Year 2020

In 2020 the Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) moved into its third phase in line with tasks set out in the MRVS Road Map. This document outlines the stepwise progression and development of the MRVS for the next five years 2020 – 2024.

Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System MRVS, Year 8 MRVS Report

In 2017 the Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) moved into its second phase in line with tasks set out in the MRVS Road Map. This document outlines the stepwise progression and development of the MRVS for the next four years 2017 to 2020.

Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS), Year 7 MRVS Report

In 2017 the Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) moved into its second phase in line with tasks set out in the MRVS Road Map. This document outlines the stepwise progression and development of the MRVS for the next four years 2017 to 2020.

Accuracy Assessment Report, Year 7 Guyana REDD+ MRVS

This report was commissioned by Indufor Asia Pacific Ltd for the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) in support of a system to Monitor, Report and Verify (MRVS) for forest resources and carbon stock changes as part of Guyana’s engagement in the UN Collaborative Programme on REDD+. The scope of the work was to conduct an independent assessment of deforestation, forest degradation and forest area change estimates for the period January–December 2017. Specifically, the terms of reference asked that confidence limits be attached to forest area estimates.

Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS), Year 6 Interim Measures Report, 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2016, Version 3

In 2017 the Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) moved into its second phase in line with tasks set out in the MRVS Road Map. This Road Map establishes the stepwise progression and development of the MRVS for the next four years 2017 to 2020. The framework for reporting continues to be the REDD+ Interim Indicators, as well as the reporting requirements as had been outlined in the 2009, 2011, and 2012 and 2015 versions of the Joint Concept Note (JCN).

Verification of Interim REDD+ Performance indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ partnership (Year 6)

DNV GL AS (DNV GL) has been commissioned by the Ministry of Environment– Government of Norway to perform a verification of the Interim Performance Indicators reported for the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2016 - Year 6 as described in the Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) - Interim Measures Report, Version 3 produced by the Guyana Forestry Commission –Government of Guyana. This report provides the verification methodology, results and statement.

Trees Verification Opinion 2016-2020

The criteria followed by Aster Global included ISO 14064-3, ISO 14065, and documents provided by ART located at https://www.artredd.org. These documents included: The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) v2.0, August 2021; TREES Validation and Verification Standard v2.0, December 2021; and TREES Environmental Social and Governance Safeguards Guidance Document, August 2021.

Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) Program, The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), Verification Report – Final v2

Aster Global Environmental Solutions, Inc., (Aster Global) prepared this verification report in accordance with the outlined requirements of the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), specifically for The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), version 2.0, August 2021. Aster Global presents verification findings for the ART/TREES Programme of the GuyanaForestry Commission (hereafter, referred to as “Program” or “program”) TREES Monitoring Report prepared by Guyana Forestry Commission (hereafter referred to as “Participant”). The Program verification was conducted as part of ART’s requirements for the quantification, monitoring, and reporting of GHG emissions; demonstration of implementation of the Cancún Safeguards; and verification, registration, and issuance of TREES credits.

Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) Program, The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), Validation Report – Final v1

Aster Global Environmental Solutions, Inc., (Aster Global) prepared this validation report in accordance with the outlined requirements of the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), specifically for The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES), version 2.0, August 2021. Aster Global presents validation findings for the ART/TREES Programme of the Guyana Forestry Commission (hereafter, referred to as “Program” or “program”) TREES Registration Document prepared by Guyana Forestry Commission (hereafter referred to as “Participant”). The Program validation was conducted as part of ART’s requirements for the systematic, independent, and documented evaluation of a TREES Registration Document against applicable requirements of TREES.

Verification of Interim REDD+ Performance indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ partnership (Year 5)

DNV GL AS (DNV GL) has been commissioned by the Ministry of Environment– Government of Norway to perform a verification of the Interim Performance Indicators reported for the period 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014 - Year 5 as described in the Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) - Interim Measures Report, Version 3 dated 30 November 2015 produced by the Guyana Forestry Commission – Government of Guyana. This report provides the verification methodology, results and statement.

Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting, Verification System (MRVS), Year 4 Interim Measures Report, 1 January 2013 – 31 December 2013

This Report describes the satellite imagery and GIS datasets, and processing of these data. It also provides a summary of the Interim Measures that report on Guyana's progress towards implementation of its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Verification of Interim REDD+ Performance indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ partnership (Year 4)

DNV GL AS (DNV GL) has been contracted by the Ministry of Environment– Government of Norway to perform a non-accredited verification of Interim REDD+ Performance indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ partnership. According to the Joint Concept Note (JCN) signed between both parties, these indicators will serve to evaluate Guyana’s performance regarding REDD+ until a MRV system is in place which will serve to accurately monitor the emissions from deforestation.

Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS), Year 3 Interim Measures Report, 01 January 2012 – 31 December 2012, Version 3

This report aims to fulfil in part, the deliverables of Specific Activity Areas 1-3 of the forest area assessment initiative of Guyana‘s MRVS, as provided by Indufor and the GFC. The programme of work under Year 3 of the MRVS Roadmap in forest area assessment, extends to February 2013. At the completion of this all specific activities identified in the Terms of Reference will be completed, specifically item 4 (an independent Accuracy Assessment) as well as the associated capacity building activities.

Verification of Interim REDD+ Performance indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ partnership, Monitoring Period: 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 – Year 3

DNV Climate Change Services AS (DNV) has been commissioned by the Ministry of Environment– Government of Norway to perform a verification of the Interim Performance Indicators reported for the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 – Year 3 as described in the Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) -Interim Measures Report, Version 3 dated 6 December 2013 produced by the Guyana Forestry Commission – Government of Guyana. This report provides the verification methodology, results and statement.

Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting & Verification System (MRVS), Interim Measures Report, 01 October 2010 – 31 December 2011, Version 3

This report aims to fulfil in part, the deliverables of Specific Activity Areas 1-3 of the forest area assessment initiative of Guyana‘s MRVS, as provided by Induforand the GFC. The contract for this work under Year 2 of the MRVS Roadmap, extends to July 2012. At the completion of this contract all specific activities identified in the Terms of Reference will be completed, specifically item 4 (an independent Accuracy Assessment) as well as the associated capacity building activities.

Verification of Interim Performance Indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ Partnership, Monitoring Period: 1 October 2010 to 31 December 2011 – Year 2

DNV KEMA Energy and Sustainability AS (DNV) has been commissioned by the Ministry of Environment – Government of Norway to perform a non-accredited verification of the Interim Performance Indicators reported for the period 1 October 2010 to 31 December 2011 – Year 2 as described in the Guyana REDD+ Monitoring and Verification System (MRVS) - Interim Measures Report, Version 26 July 2012 produced by the Guyana Forestry Commission – Government of Guyana. This report provides the verification methodology, results and statement.

Guyana Forestry Commission Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS), Interim Measures Report Final

This report aims to fulfil in part, the deliverables of Specific Activity Areas 1-3 of the first bid issued for the development of Guyana's MRVS as provided by the Remote Sensing and GIS consultant. Noteworthy is the fact that the contract for this work under year 1 of the MRVS Roadmap, extends to March 2011. At the completion of this contract, all specific activities identified in the Terms of Reference will be completed, specifically item 4 (the independent Accuracy Assessment) as well as the associated capacity building activities.

Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) Accuracy Assessment Final Report

This report was commissioned by the Guyana Forestry Commission in support of a system to MRV for forest resources and carbon stock changes as part of Guyana’s engagement in the UN Collaborative Programme on REDD+. The scope of the work was to conduct an independent assessment of forest area and forest area change estimates for the period 1990 to 2010. Specifically, the terms of reference asked that confidence limits be attached to forest area estimates.

Verification of Interim Performance Indicators under the Guyana-Norway REDD+ Partnership, Monitoring Period: 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2010 – Year 1

Det Norske Veritas Certification AS (DNV) has been commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Environment to perform a non-accredited verification of Interim Performance Indicators reported for the period 1 October 2009 to 30 September – Year 1 as described in the Guyana REDD+ Monitoring Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) – Interim Measures Report, Version 16 March 2011 produced by Guyana Forestry Commission – Government of Guyana. This report provides the verification methodology, results and statement.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway regarding Cooperation on Issues related to the Fight against Climate Change, the Protection of Biodiversity and the Enhancement of Sustainable Development

The objective of this MoU is to foster partnership between Guyana and Norway on issues of climate change, biodiversity and sustainable, low carbon development. Of particular importance is the establishment of a comprehensive political and policy dialogue on these issues, and close cooperation regarding Guyana's REDD-plus efforts, including the establishment of a framework for result-based Norwegian financial support to Guyana's REDD-plus efforts.

Joint Concept Note on REDD+ cooperation between Guyana and Norway

On November 9th, 2009, Guyana and Norway signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding cooperation on issues related to the fight against climate change, in particular those concerning reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD-plus1), the protection of biodiversity, and enhancement of sustainable, low carbon development. This Joint Concept Note constitutes the framework for taking this cooperation forward. Specifically, this concept note addresses Paragraphs 2 (c), 3 and 4 of the MoU signed between Guyana and Norway, to enable the acceleration of Guyana’s REDD-plus efforts, based on the results of which Norway will start providing financial support. Being aware that REDD-plus is a new concept, and that this partnership is in the forefront of developments, Guyana and Norway – while considering that this Joint Concept Note clearly lays out their agreed positions as of November 2009 – will also be open to revising and further developing its content to reflect increased insights as the Partnership, and other related efforts, moves forward and lessons are learned.

Terms of Reference for Developing Capacities for a National Monitoring, Reporting and Verification System to support REDD+ participation of Guyana

The Government of Guyana has embarked on a national programme that aims to protect and maintain its forests in an effort to reduce global carbon emissions and at the same time attract resources to foster growth and development along a low carbon emissions path. The cooperation between the Governments of Norway and Guyana expresses a willingness to work together to provide the world with a relevant, replicable model for how REDD+ can align the development objectives of forest countries with the world's need to combat climate change. The initiative will require the development of capacities for MRV of forest carbon stocks and changes. As an initial step to the implementation of a MRV system for Guyana, a road map for the development of a MRV system for REDD+ participation for Guyana was designed, following a stakeholder participation session. The development of such a road map considered several aspects that were elaborated in a facilitation process and used in the preparation of Terms of Reference for developing a REDD MRV system.

Report and Summary of a Workshop and Consultation held on "Preparing Guyana's REDD+ participation: Developing capacities for monitoring, reporting and verification"

The Government of Guyana has embarked on a national programme that aims to protect and maintain its forests in an effort to reduce global carbon emissions and at the same time attract resources to foster growth and development along a low carbon emissions path. The cooperation between the Governments of Norway and Guyana expresses a willingness to work together to provide the world with a relevant, replicable model for how REDD+ can align the development objectives of forest countries with the world\'s need to combat climate change. The initiative will require the development of capacities for MRV of forest carbon stocks and changes. A workshop of 90 national experts and stakeholders, and a series of consultations with relevant agencies were conducted during 27–29 October 2009 in efforts to prepare Guyana\'s participation in REDD+ mechanisms. The workshop and the consultations produced significant progress to provide the foundations for developing the capacities for a REDD MRV system for Guyana. The results of this progress are contained in the following report.