King Charles champions Guyana’s forest protection model

Addressing President Irfaan Ali in Georgetown, Charles stated that determining the worth of nature remains a challenge, adding, “Everybody argues about how much. Well, it’s priceless. That’s the answer.” He cautioned against ongoing deforestation, which he described as detrimental to the future and health of people worldwide.

Charles’ visit to Guyana is part of a broader nine-day Caribbean tour, following a stop in the Bahamas and preceding a visit to Antigua for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

President Ali commended Charles’ advocacy for environmental protection and his support for Guyana’s low-carbon development strategy. He noted that Guyana has demonstrated the potential of such initiatives.

King Charles expressed hope that other nations would emulate Guyana’s approach to address the “enormous existential threats we face.”

In 2009, Norway committed $250 million to assist in safeguarding Guyana’s 18 million hectares of forest. Guyana has since generated $353 million from carbon credit sales, becoming the first country to issue such credits under a global emissions reduction standard in November 2022.

One month later, Hess Corporation, a U.S.-owned company involved in Guyana’s offshore oil production, agreed to purchase $750 million worth of carbon credits over the next ten years. Guyana’s government has dedicated 30% of these proceeds to development initiatives within Indigenous Amerindian communities.

Following his remarks, President Ali enjoyed a drink from a freshly cut coconut before engaging with Indigenous leaders, known as “toshaos.” Earlier in the day, Charles met with veterans who previously served in the British Guiana defense forces and visited Independence Park, a site of historical significance related to a major slave revolt and subsequent public executions.

Some Caribbean leaders have requested an apology and reparations from Britain for its role in slavery, a request the British government has consistently declined.