Government says Amerindian villages get at least 15% of forest carbon money
Villages manage 15% themselves, and by September 2024 carbon revenues had funded over 1,300 projects in two years.
The Department of Public Information said in a notice published on 25 October 2026 that Amerindian villages receive a minimum of 15 per cent of the money Guyana earns from forest carbon, paid to them directly. The rule applies under LCDS 2030.
iNews Guyana reported that the PPP/C Administration changed the strategy to LCDS 2030 after it took office in 2020. The Guyana LCDS Secretariat says LCDS 2030 expanded the original 2009 strategy. It was launched following a national address by the President in late 2021.
The Guyana LCDS Secretariat said that, under the Hess carbon credit deal, 15% of revenues go to village-led plans. In December 2022, Hess Corporation agreed to buy ART-TREES carbon credits from Guyana. Under that deal, 15% of revenues go to village-led plans for indigenous villages and communities.
The High Commission of Guyana in South Africa said the National Toshaos Council backed the expanded strategy. The council is the body recognised by law to speak for Indigenous peoples. It agreed that 15 per cent of revenues would go directly into Amerindian development.
The Guyana LCDS Secretariat says villages run their share themselves. They put the money into Village Sustainability Plans. As of September 2024, carbon revenues had funded over 1,300 projects in two years.
Guyana Times reported that President Irfaan Ali announced in 2024 that the indigenous share of carbon credit sales would rise to 26 per cent. The Department of Public Information notice of 25 October 2026 gives a floor of 15 per cent.
The story was first reported by iNews Guyana.