In the past year (2008-09), DFID has committed £313,000 to work by Guyana on a low carbon investment prospectus and implementation plan, including a costing of conserving Guyana’s rainforests. No funds were provided to Guyana for rainforest protection in the previous two years. No decisions have yet been taken on funding for rainforest protection in Guyana in 2009-10.
Guyana is also a participant in the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Fund (to which the UK has contributed £15 million) and recently submitted its Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation Readiness Plan. Guyana is included in the Caribbean Regional Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, and may also be part of the Caribbean Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (part of the Climate Investment Funds to which the UK is contributing £250 million). DFID officials regularly discuss forest protection with their Guyanese counterparts.