Forest Carbon Partnership Facility Participants Committee Meeting (FCPF PC3) Montreux, Switzerland, June 16-18, 2009 Guyana’s REDD Readiness-Plan Technical Advisory Panel Review

Large tracts of intact and unexploited forests Forest is a key land use on the soils of the Guyana shield Strong forest management agency (GFC) and high political support (Presidency) Willingness to manage forests for REDD High Potential for REDD

Forests cover in Guyana Total Area21.5 million ha Population765, 283 inhabitants Population growth 0.1%/yr. Forested Area18.6 million ha Def. Rate: % Forest Cover87% State Forest13.8 million ha (74 % of forested area) Contribution of Forest sector to GDP 4.5% as a primary product Direct Employment >25,000 persons

R-Plan Preparation A lot of efforts and positive responses to the TAP’s first assessment  submission of a revised R-Plan (in a very short time period)  addressed some of the issues raised by TAP  led to changes in the TAP’s appreciation in various items, though it did not fundamentally change the TAP review outcome (which were based on the required criteria and standards)

R-Plan Strengths Full ownership within Government (and GFC) (invested time, commitment, interest) REDD is treated as an integral part of FM (and proposed to be part of the recently launched LCDS) Points to key governance issues Intends to have full inclusion of all relevant stakeholders Understandings of key issues on MRV and carbon accounting Links Forest Management with biodiversity conservation and carbon management

Issues – 1 -  Forestry centric approach (instead of a forest centric approach) (instead of a forest centric approach) Need to fully recognize and define deforestation and degradation drivers that are outside the forest sector Improved forest management is important, but there are limitations in its use for REDD More clear targeting of REDD interventions needed (broader ownership)  cross-cutting issues

Issues –2-  Integration of local stakeholders  Integration of local stakeholders A fully capacitated REDD-Secretariat is proposed that will support and facilitate stakeholder participation Inclusive and informed consultations of all stakeholders, and particularly Indigenous Peoples, will be key. Clear mechanisms need to be identified for benefit sharing.

Issues –3-  Future Reference Level Projections  Future Reference Level Projections Projected deforestation rates can be challenged, considering the low fertility of Guyana’s soil and its limited use for economic activities other than forestry The methodological issues involved and their compliance with IPCC guidelines is critical More specific reference scenarios considering infra-structural development and uncontrolled mining Clearly indicate the capacity needs to establish a reference level scenario and future monitoring of emission reductions

Issues –4-  Economics of major land uses causing DD  Economics of major land uses causing DD The economics of competing land uses causing deforestation and forest degradation need to be understood and described Need to address main land tenure and natural resources rights Carbon ownership across tenure and management options and more clarity on benefit sharing arrangements for financial REDD incentives

Recommendations -1-  Consider both types of recommendations, “cross-cutting criteria” and “standards to be met” Identify the magnitude, location, and direct and underlying causes of changes in forest cover and quality Design a REDD strategy that is specifically focused on addressing those direct and underlying causes of deforestation and degradation

Recommendations -2- Pay attention to policies from outside that affect the forest sector Strengthen cross-sectoral work by fully involving the Government agencies dealing with mining and agriculture and the national development policy frameworks Integrate a full consultation process with all stakeholders, based on the Bank’s safeguards in the REDD-Strategy development Address remaining issues of land tenure and territorial rights.

What really needs to be delivered at an R-Plan stage for Guyana?  PC to decide upon  Need to have a clear understanding of the strategy to be developed and the technical issues involved (e.g. on how to produce a reference scenario, information need for MRV, etc)  Develop further the R-Plan/ REDD-Strategy with considerable FCPF support and continuous exchange  Stepwise approach with techni- cal and financial support of FCPF.