GHRA Raises Concerns Over Guyana’s Stance at COP29 Amidst Oil-Driven Development

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By Mark DaCosta- As the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) opened on November 11 in Azerbaijan, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has issued a pointed critique of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government’s approach to climate change, questioning what message the country can possibly send to the global forum. COP29, the latest in a series of international conferences aimed at combating climate change, prioritises reducing carbon emissions and fostering sustainable development. However, with Guyana’s continued focus on expanding its oil sector, the GHRA raises doubts about how the nation will engage with the summit’s objectives.

In its statement, the GHRA highlights the growing contradiction between Guyana’s oil-driven economic model and the global need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While the PPP government justifies its heavy reliance on fossil fuels by arguing that Guyana must “catch up” to more developed nations, the association warns that this strategy is not only environmentally damaging but also deepening social inequalities.

The GHRA points out that the government’s commitment to oil exploration is at odds with the international climate agenda. Despite government statements about Guyana’s need to develop its oil resources, the GHRA argues that this approach is likely to lead to environmental degradation and a rise in carbon emissions, further exacerbating the climate crisis. The association specifically criticises the PPP government for prioritising short-term economic growth over long-term sustainability, citing the increasing carbon footprint and rising social inequalities as a direct result of the country’s oil boom.

One key concern raised by the GHRA is the strain on basic services, particularly water access, which is being exacerbated by the rapid urbanisation and infrastructure development driven by the oil sector. The association notes that the poorer segments of Guyana’s population are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of this “development,” with issues like water shortages and inadequate access to basic infrastructure worsening. In the context of Guyana’s burgeoning construction sector, funded largely by oil revenues, the GHRA argues that these challenges are likely to continue growing without a fundamental shift in policy.

Moreover, the GHRA critiques the growing influence of multinational corporations, such as ExxonMobil, over Guyana’s development trajectory. With ExxonMobil playing a pivotal role in the country’s oil industry, the association suggests that the government’s close ties with such corporate giants may undermine the nation’s ability to pursue a truly sustainable development model. The GHRA implies that ExxonMobil, with its own environmental record, could have more influence at COP29 than the Guyanese government, making the country’s participation in the conference appear disingenuous.

The association also draws attention to the broader implications of this approach. Guyana’s government, the GHRA argues, seems to be increasingly adopting a model of prosperity that is both environmentally unsustainable and socially unequal. This model, the statement asserts, risks turning Guyana into a society where consumption patterns of the wealthy are normalised, while the poorer majority bears the environmental costs.

While the GHRA acknowledges the importance of economic development for the nation, it stresses that this cannot come at the expense of environmental protection and social equity. According to the association, true prosperity can only be achieved by reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, addressing inequality, and focusing on sustainable, people-centred development.

What is COP29

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the primary international event under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Each year, world leaders, environmental experts, and activists gather to negotiate and implement measures to mitigate global warming. COP29, now being held in Baku, is expected to continue discussions on reducing carbon emissions and limiting global temperature rise in line with the goals set in the Paris Agreement.

Who is the GHRA

The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the protection of human rights and environmental sustainability in Guyana. The GHRA frequently challenges government policies that it deems harmful to the nation’s well-being.

The GHRA has been a frequent target of criticism from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo often dismissing the association’s views as unrepresentative. Nonetheless, the GHRA continues to advocate for a more balanced and sustainable development model, one that aligns with global climate goals and prioritises the needs of Guyanese.

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