Abstract Book of the 5th World Conference on Climate Change and Global Warming
Year: 2025
DOI:
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Forests, Oil, and Climate Change: Is Guyana Facing a Trade-off?
Hernan Felipe Trujillo Quintero
ABSTRACT:
This paper explores the intricate dynamics between forest loss, oil extraction, and carbon emissions in Guyana, a nation facing the dual challenges of fostering economic growth and addressing climate change. Through a mixed-methods approach that integrates descriptive analysis, econometric modeling, and system dynamics simulations, the study offers a detailed perspective on the factors driving forest loss amid the expansion of Guyana’s oil industry. Findings indicate a strong causal link between oil extraction and deforestation, with higher extraction rates exacerbating forest degradation. The system dynamics model illustrates the potential impact of oil extraction on Guyana’s climate objectives, particularly under scenarios of increased extraction, highlighting the importance of balancing oil development with forest preservation. The study concludes with recommendations for enhancing compensation mechanisms to channel resources from oil revenues into forest conservation, strengthening institutional frameworks and governance, promoting multi-stakeholder engagement, and investigating innovative financing options to support Guyana’s sustainable development goals and its contributions to global climate mitigation.
keywords: Guyana, Deforestation, Oil Industry, Climate Change Mitigation, Sustainable Development