Georgetown, Guyana, August 19, 2025 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has engaged the engineering firm, Haskoning, to design an innovative coastal green-grey infrastructure solution for an eroded section of Guyana’s shoreline at the Dantzig and De Hoop area in efforts to protect coastal communities and foster mangrove regeneration. Green-grey infrastructure combines the conservation and restoration of natural features—such as mangroves and seagrasses—with traditional engineered solutions like concrete dams and seawalls.

Haskoning, with expertise in coastal resilience and nature-based solutions, will lead the engineering design, and technical support services for the infrastructure works. Working in partnership with Deltares and a local SRKN’gineering in Guyana, the team will support approximately 120 hectares of shoreline restoration in Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice). GGGI is implementing this initiative with NAREI with funding provided by the Korea Forest Service (KFS), and it is a key component of Guyana’s Coastal Resilience and Mangrove Restoration Project.

Following design finalization, GGGI and NAREI will collaborate to implement infrastructure based on innovative green-grey solutions. These solutions will integrate engineered sea defense structures with nature-based approaches to accelerate natural coastal regeneration and enhance resilience against climate-related events such as erosion and flooding. The completed project is expected to directly benefit 500 residents, protect 1,000 hectares of agricultural land from sea level rise, and contribute to the reduction of 1.12 million tons of CO₂ emissions over 25 years.

“Mangroves are not just trees, they are natural coastal defense systems, carbon sinks, and nurseries for marine life. Losing them means losing protection for our communities, biodiversity, and livelihoods,” noted Kene Mosely, NAREI Coordinator of the Mangrove Department. “At NAREI, we have successfully combined innovative green-grey solutions with targeted mangrove restoration to rebuild coastal resilience. By integrating world-class technical expertise from Haskoning, Deltares, and SRKN’gineering with our local experience, this project is expected to deliver interventions that enhance coastal protection for vulnerable communities,” Mosely emphasized.

The Coastal Resilience and Mangrove Restoration Project aligns with Guyana’s National Mangrove Action Plan 2022–2032 and supports the country’s commitments under its Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 and climate adaptation goals.

Daniel Munoz-Smith, GGGI’s Caribbean Representative stated that “mangroves are critical for preserving biodiversity, supporting coastal livelihoods, and building resilience to climate change.”  He added, “this project supports GGGI’s ongoing collaborations to pilot and scale nature-based approaches that can promote green sustainable economic growth. We are honored to partner with NAREI and to support Guyana’s efforts on restoring and protecting these vital ecosystems.”

In addition to the scoping exercise, an induction workshop will be conducted to ensure alignment among all partners on the project’s objectives, technical scope, methodology, and design timeline. The team will also conduct field surveys to collect relevant engineering and environmental data, and engage in stakeholder consultations with key government agencies, local communities, and civil society organizations.

Access this link for more information about the project:  https://gggi.org/project/coastal-resilience-project-in-guyana/

About the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)  

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) was founded as a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. GGGI supports its Member States in transitioning their economies toward a green growth model that simultaneously achieves poverty reduction, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. With 52 Member States and 29 Partner countries and regional integration organizations in the process of accession, GGGI delivers programs and projects in over 53 countries. These initiatives encompass developing innovative green growth solutions, technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and assistance in building a pipeline of bankable green investment projects, project financing, investments, and knowledge sharing. GGGI’s work contributes to its Member States’ efforts to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals and the Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement.

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Ms. Aretha Forde

Communication and Knowledge Sharing Associate

GGGI – Guyana

aretha.forde@gggi.org