Guyana’s environmental model, nature & value equation

As global leaders and environmental advocates continue to search for sustainable solutions to the climate crisis, the example set by Guyana stands out as a practical and effective model of green development. It is a model rooted in balance, pursuing economic advancement while prioritising environmental preservation. This equilibrium is no longer aspirational rhetoric but a working reality that is receiving growing international recognition, including from prominent voices such as former Colombian President Iván Duque.
Duque’s recent remarks underscore the value of Guyana’s strategic environmental approach. He aptly described investments in the country as “greener dollars”, not merely in symbolic terms, but based on measurable outcomes. With over 95 per cent of its tropical forests intact, Guyana continues to serve as one of the world’s most important carbon sinks. This makes every dollar invested in the country contribute to both economic returns and also to global climate resilience.
What distinguishes Guyana’s efforts is not only the outcome, but also the foresight and planning that made them possible. Long before oil began flowing in 2019, Guyana had already taken steps to preserve its natural wealth through the pioneering Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Initiated in 2009 by the then President Bharrat Jagdeo and later updated into LCDS 2030, this framework has guided the nation’s efforts to channel forest conservation into sustainable economic development. This commitment was not reactionary or externally driven. It was a deliberate national choice to value biodiversity and climate responsibility on par with economic ambition.
Such a commitment is rare in an era when environmental pledges often fall short under the pressure of short-term economic gain. In contrast, Guyana has turned its ecological integrity into an asset, not a burden. The potential value of its carbon-sinking capacity has even been likened to the country’s oil reserves, a striking comparison that speaks volumes about the environmental capital Guyana possesses. As Duque noted, this “extraordinary comparative advantage” provides a unique platform from which Guyana can lead in reimagining global climate finance.
The concept of a Gross Biodiversity Product (GBP), referenced by Duque, invites a much-needed shift in how the global economy values natural ecosystems. By recognising the tangible benefits of low deforestation and healthy biodiversity, countries like Guyana can claim a rightful place at the centre of international environmental and financial negotiations. Already, the implementation of carbon credit mechanisms under LCDS 2030 demonstrates that biodiversity can be monetised ethically, sustainably, and transparently. Expanding this framework to include biodiversity bonds or other financial instruments could further unlock global funding for conservation.
President Irfaan Ali’s leadership on this front has not gone unnoticed. His administration has pursued environmental goals with consistency, even as energy sector revenues rapidly expand. This demonstrates that development and environmental stewardship need not be at odds. Instead, they can and must go hand in hand. The president’s firm stance on sustainability, especially in the context of growing international apathy towards environmental obligations, sets a moral and strategic standard worthy of global emulation.
Against this backdrop, the upcoming Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, scheduled for July 23-25, 2025, in Guyana, is well-timed. It presents an opportunity to showcase the country’s success and to catalyse broader international momentum for biodiversity financing. The Summit has the potential to mark a turning point in how the world approaches conservation – moving from promises to practical tools that reward countries for safeguarding the natural world.
For small and developing nations navigating the complexities of economic growth and environmental protection, Guyana offers a model worth studying. It proves that national development need not come at the expense of ecological integrity. In fact, the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems can be a foundation for inclusive growth, not a barrier to it.
As the global community prepares to gather on Guyanese soil for the Biodiversity Alliance Summit, the message that nature must be part of the value equation is apt.