Guyana’s mangrove cover has declined rapidly as the country has developed. In 2001, 80,432ha of mangroves were recorded; by 2011, the area had been reduced to 22,632ha (a loss of 75% in 10 years). Mangrove deforestation exposes coastal communities to increased risk of natural disasters and vulnerability to climate change.

To address the increasing risk of climate change in coastal communities in Guyana, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) will pilot green-grey coastal protection infrastructure along 6km of coastline, including 120ha of mangrove restoration, to protect 500 people and 1,000ha of agricultural land from sea level rise and associated flooding, create 18 green jobs, and remove 1.12 Mts of CO2e from the atmosphere over 25 years.

The project aims to protect, expand, and sustainably manage Guyana’s mangrove ecosystems and maximize the services they provide to the local communities to support the global fight against climate change.

Mangroves are a vital component of costal ecosystems, serving as nursery grounds for many fish species and providing several important ecological and economic services, such as, protecting coastlines from storm surges, reducing erosion, and sequestering carbon.

Approximately 90% of Guyana’s population and 75% of its agricultural land are located in the low-lying coastal areas. Seawalls and embankments remain highly necessary to protect these areas and their assets from flooding.

Since 2023, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Korea Forest Service (KFS) have been working together to develop climate-change related forest programs in Guyana, culminating in the signing of an agreement in May 2024 to launch the “Improving the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities and mangrove ecosystems to climate change related impacts in Guyana” project.

Outcome 1:
– Restoration of 120ha of the mangrove forest along 6Km of coastal line
– Development a package of Green-Grey solution related document

Outcome 2:
– Creation of 18 Green jobs in various business models

Outcome 3:
– Establish data acquisition, management, storage and analysis system
– Support to development of Integrated Coastal Zone Management plan

Outcome 4:
– Development and dissemination of green-grey solution, and Mangrove related knowledge product
– Produce of 15-minute video documentary showcasing the project’s impact
– Knowledge and experience sharing in regional and global level