Guyana has earned US$353 million from carbon credit sales since becoming the first country in the world to receive jurisdictional-scale Forest Carbon Credits under the ART-TREES standard. The revenues are being used to finance climate action, forest conservation, Indigenous community projects, and sustainable development initiatives through the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. The program is increasingly being viewed as a global model for linking environmental protection with economic development.
Key Overview
- Guyana has earned US$353 million from carbon credit sales since 2022
- The country became the first to receive jurisdictional-scale forest carbon credits
- Approximately 33 million carbon credits were issued under the ART-TREES standard
- Carbon revenues support the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030
- Nearly 3,000 community projects have been funded across Indigenous villages
- At least 15% of carbon credit revenues are allocated to Indigenous communities
- Guyana maintains one of the world’s highest forest cover levels at more than 85%
Guyana Earns US$353M From Carbon Credits to Fund Climate Action
Guyana has generated US$353 million in revenue from carbon credit sales since 2022, reinforcing its position as a global leader in climate finance and forest conservation.
The earnings follow the country’s landmark achievement of becoming the first nation in the world to receive jurisdictional-scale Forest Carbon Credits under the internationally recognized Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) TREES standard.
According to the Guyana government, the revenues are helping finance climate action, environmental protection, sustainable development projects, and community-led initiatives under the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.
A Global First in Carbon Markets
Guyana reached a major milestone in November 2022 when it became the first country globally to receive jurisdictional-scale carbon credits under the ART-TREES certification framework.
The certification resulted in approximately 33 million carbon credits being issued for the period between 2016 and 2020.
The credits represent carbon stored within Guyana’s forests that would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere if the forests had been degraded or destroyed.
Following the certification, Guyana secured a landmark carbon credit agreement valued at US$750 million, opening the door to international carbon market opportunities.
Senior Director of Climate and REDD+ in the Office of the President, Pradeepa Bholanath, said the country’s climate finance strategy has evolved significantly over the years.
“Since then, we’ve been able to expand those market opportunities in ways that we didn’t even envision, to the point now where to date, since 2022, we have earned a total of US$353 million from the sale of carbon credits,” she said.
Financing Climate Action and Sustainable Development
Revenue generated through Guyana Carbon Credits is being directed toward the implementation of LCDS 2030, the country’s long-term strategy for climate resilience and sustainable development.
The strategy supports climate adaptation measures, environmental protection programs, economic diversification, and investments that strengthen resilience to climate impacts.
Government officials say the program demonstrates how countries can generate economic value from environmental stewardship while preserving natural ecosystems.
With more than 85 per cent of its land covered by forests and one of the lowest deforestation rates globally, Guyana has positioned itself as a leading example of how conservation can create measurable financial returns.
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Supporting Indigenous Communities
One of the most significant components of the strategy is the direct allocation of carbon revenue to Indigenous peoples and local communities.
Under LCDS 2030, the government committed to allocating at least 15 per cent of all carbon credit revenues to Indigenous communities.
According to officials, that commitment has already funded nearly 3,000 projects across 252 Indigenous villages.
The projects are guided by locally developed Village Sustainability Plans that allow communities to determine their own development priorities.
Funding has supported a wide range of initiatives, including:
- School kitchens and feeding programs
- Agricultural projects
- Small business development
- Daycare facilities
- Community infrastructure
- Income-generating enterprises
Officials describe the initiative as one of the most successful components of the country’s climate finance program.
Growing International Recognition
Guyana’s approach is attracting increasing international attention as governments seek effective ways to finance climate action while promoting economic growth.
Major global companies have also shown interest in Guyana’s high-quality carbon credits.
Technology giant Apple has previously purchased carbon credits from Guyana as part of its sustainability strategy, highlighting growing private-sector demand for verified forest-based climate solutions.
The country’s forests store approximately 19.5 gigatons of carbon and remove more than 153 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year, making them among the world’s most significant natural carbon sinks.
Outlook
Guyana’s success in generating US$353 million from carbon credit sales demonstrates the growing potential of carbon markets to finance climate action and sustainable development. By protecting its forests and maintaining extremely low deforestation rates, the country has created a model that links environmental conservation with tangible economic benefits.
As global demand for high-quality carbon credits continues to grow, Guyana is well positioned to attract additional climate finance while expanding investments in community development, forest protection, and climate resilience. The country’s experience is increasingly being viewed as a blueprint for how developing nations can leverage natural assets to support both environmental goals and long-term economic growth.
FAQs
Q1: How much has Guyana earned from carbon credit sales?
Guyana has earned US$353 million from carbon credit sales since 2022, generating significant funding for climate action, forest conservation, and sustainable development initiatives.
Q2: Why are Guyana’s carbon credits significant?
Guyana became the first country in the world to receive jurisdictional-scale forest carbon credits under the ART-TREES standard, making it a global leader in forest-based climate finance.
Q3: How is the carbon credit revenue being used?
The revenue supports Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, funding climate resilience projects, forest protection, community development programs, and sustainable economic initiatives across the country.
Q4: How do Indigenous communities benefit from the carbon credit program?
Under LCDS 2030, at least 15% of carbon credit revenues are allocated to Indigenous peoples and local communities, helping finance nearly 3,000 village-level projects, including agriculture, education, small businesses, and community infrastructure.
Sources: Caribbean National Weekly, Nationwide 90FM, Caribbean Today, Guyana Times, Fueled
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