Energy & Environment

Energy and Environment are essential for sustainable development. The poor are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and lack of access to clean affordable energy services. These issues are also global as climate change, loss of biodiversity and ozone layer depletion cannot be addressed by countries acting alone. UNDP helps countries strengthen their capacity to address these challenges at global, national and community levels, seeking out and sharing best practices, providing innovative policy advice and linking partners through pilot projects that help poor people build sustainable livelihoods.

1500W PV Lighting system installed at the Multi-purpose Hall, Paruima, Region 7.

UNDP Guyana collaborates to varying degrees with most of the key environmental agencies in the country. These include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , the Office of the Prime Minister (for energy related matters), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (IWOKRAMA) , Conservation International (CI) , the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation , and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.

The programmatic priorities and expected outcomes in environment have been agreed in a joint Government of Guyana/UNDP document: Capacity Building for the Management of Natural Resources and the Environment (2002 -2005).

1500W PV lighting system installed at the Hopital in Kato, Region 8. This system provides lighting and power for the operation of medical equipment and services.

This project has as its objective the enhancement of human and institutional capacity to undertake information management , policy making and planning , organization and regulative development , and implementation and enforcement , to enhance the effectiveness of biodiversity and natural resources management with specific focus on the sustainable use of biodiversity and pollution prevention and control.

This objective is in keeping with UNDP Strategic Objective for the period 2006-2010 which is "...to factor the value of biodiversity into national planning and to empower Government and local communities to better manage biodiversity and ecosystems," and particularly the Country Programme Output, "...building capacity in twelve (12) communities, relevant Ministries, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the other natural resources agencies so that the management of the environment and natural resources can be improved."

Nearly 90% of Guyana 's 760,000 citizens live along the coastline, leaving the vast interior in a relatively pristine state. This hinterland area is home to approximately 134 Amerindian communities of which 80 have been granted legal titles. Although the titled lands represent about 11% of Guyana 's land area, the actual social and ecological "footprint" of these communities frequently extends far beyond their range.

Based upon a combination of local knowledge and international experiences and models, a workplan was developed. Meetings were held with national stakeholders, including the Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Wildlife Division, Guyana Water Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture, key NGO's, and representatives of several communities. The purpose of these initial "scoping" meetings was to identify challenges, on-going activity, and possible approaches to natural resources management on indigenous community lands.

Once the main areas for capacity building were identified at the national workshop, the project team met with the individual communities of the North Rupununi to ensure that these areas were also the areas recognized by these local stakeholders.

Five–Year Strategic Plan for EnvironmentalProtection Agency