Guyana’s Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall has emphasised the need for countries to stick to their commitments to reduce the effects of climate change. He made this remark while expounding on Guyana’s position on climate action at the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Bali, Indonesia.
The AG told the assembly that the climate crisis has issued the world an ultimatum: either take immediate steps and drastic action or suffer infernal global disaster.
He noted that “indifference and inaction equal nothing short of destruction”, as he reminded that the world is “far behind in limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees celsius”.
The AG noted that the coming decade therefore must be the decade of decisive action.
“Climate change affects us all, but its effects are more severe on the poorest and most vulnerable – especially SIDS (Small Island Developing States) and low-lying coastal states. For us, it is a question of survival,” he underscored.
Nandlall said that immediate action is needed on three fronts. He noted that firstly, all countries must set more ambitious goals to reduce emissions, and they must honour to the letter, those ambitions. All countries have an obligation to act but the world’s foremost polluters have a greater duty to institute steeper emission cuts, he pointed out.
Secondly, he added that the pledge of US$100B per annum, made one decade ago, to support climate action must be met, noting that “dishonoured pledges are recipe for disaster”.
Third, Nandlall said that forests constitute a powerful arsenal in the fight against climate change and therefore, forest-rich countries must be provided with the incentives necessary to keep their forests intact and reduce deforestation and forest degradation.
Mindful that deforestation contributes 16% to annual global emissions and in recognition of the ecosystem and climate services provided by forests, Nandall said it is imperative that the global community finalizes the rules for carbon markets and REDD+ so as to properly value tropical forests and the climate services which they provide.
According to Nandlall, Guyana by far remains a net carbon sink by a significant margin where the 18 million hectares of largely intact forests in Guyana sequesters approximately 154 m tonnes of Carbon Dioxide annually.
The AG told the assembly that the Irfaan Ali-led administration will work with local communities in conserving, protecting, and sustainably managing forests, biodiversity, and freshwater supplies.
“Our government and our Parliament will continue to aggressively enact laws and regulations, promulgate and implement policies on climate change and promote low carbon development in every area of national life. The time for talk is over. The time for action is now. It is but a question of survival. Act now or continue on the road to definite perdition,” he concluded.
