An assessment of the economic impact of climate change on the Agriculture, Coastal and Human Settlements and Health Sectors in Guyana

This report analyses the agriculture, coastal and human settlements and health sectors in Guyana to assess the potential economic impacts of climate change. The fundamental aim of this report is to assist with the development of strategies to deal with the potential impact of climate change on Guyana. It also has the potential to provide essential input for identifying and preparing policies and strategies to help bring the Caribbean sub-region closer to solving problems associated with climate change and attaining national and regional sustainable development goals. Some of the key anticipated manifestations of climate change for the Caribbean include elevated air and sea-surface temperatures, sea-level rise, possible changes in extreme events and a reduction in freshwater resources. The economic impact of climate change on the three sectors was estimated for the A2 and B2 IPCC scenarios until 2050 (agriculture and health sectors) and 2100 (coastal and human settlements sector). An exploration of various adaptation strategies was also undertaken for each sector using standard evaluation techniques. The study of the impact of climate change on the agriculture sector focused on three leading sub-sectors namely: sugar-cane, rice-paddy and fisheries. In estimating costs, the sugar sub-sector is projected to experience losses under A2 between US$ 144 million (at 4% discount rate) and US$300 million (1% rate); comparative statistics for rice are US$795 million and US$1577 million, respectively; while for fisheries, the results show that losses range from US$15 million (4% rate) and US$34 million (1% rate). In general, under the B2 scenarios, there are gains for sugar up to 2030 under all three discount rates while for rice the performance is somewhat better with gains realized under all three discount rates up to 2040. For fisheries, gains are forecasted under all three rates up to 2050, following marginal losses to 2020. In terms of the benefit-cost analysis conducted on selected adaptation measures under the A2 scenario, there were net benefits for all three commodities under all three discount rates. For the sugar-cane sub-sector these are: drainage and irrigation upgrade, purchase of new machinery for planting and harvesting, developing and replanting climate tolerant sugar-cane. The rice-paddy sub-sector will benefit from adaptive strategies, which include maintenance of drainage and irrigation systems, research and development, as well as education and training. Adaptation in the fisheries sub-sector must include measures such as, mangrove development and restoration and public education. The analysis of the coastal and human settlements sector has shown that based upon exposed assets and population, SLR can be classified as having the potential to create catastrophic conditions in Guyana. The main contributing factor is the concentration of socioeconomic infrastructure along the coastline in vulnerable areas.

Select bibliography on coastal area development and environmental, physical and regional planning in the Caribbean region

Bibliografía sobre desarrollo de las áreas costeras, planificación del medio ambiente, recursos marinos, planificación regional y física, y puertos del Caribe.

Desarrollo de la zona costera: desarrollo y medio ambiente del Caribe en los aspectos costero y marítimo: programas y actividades posibles = Coastal area development: development and environment in the Caribbean coastal and marine aspects: possible programmes and activities

Incluye Bibliografía

Informe de la Reunión del Grupo de Expertos en Planificación de los Usos del Mar y Administración de las Zonas Costeras en América Latina y el Caribe = Report of the Expert Group Meeting on Sea Use Planning and Coastal Area Management in Latin America and the Caribbean

Contiene la asistencia, organización de los trabajos y resumen de los debates de la reunión que tuvo por objetivo examinar las experiencias nacionales en la planificación y administración de las zonas costeras y oceánicas, la cooperación entre los países de la región, el papel de las Naciones Unidas y de las organizaciones regionales, y la identificación de las principales necesidades de los Estados de la región.

La protección y el manejo de océanos, mares y zonas costeras en la Plataforma de Tlatelolco sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo: un análisis práctico de sus alcances = The protection and management of oceans, seas and coastal areas under the Tlatelolco Platform on Environment and Development: a practical analysis of its implications

Incluye Bibliografía

Desarrollo en las áreas marinas y costeras del Gran Caribe: un estudio general = Marine and coastal areas development in the Wider Caribbean: overview study

Incluye Bibliografía

La pesca en alta mar y los intereses de los estados ribereños de la región: un análisis de la negociación futura a la luz de la equidad: parte I: De la Convención de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Derecho del Mar a la convocatoria de la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre Poblaciones Transzonales y las Poblaciones de Peces Altamente Migratorias = High-seas fisheries and the interests of the coastal states of the region: an analysis of the upcoming negotiation from the perspective of social equity: part I: From the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks

Incluye Bibliografía

The Integrated Functional Coefficients (IFC) method for coastal resources valuation

Includes bibliography

Valuation concepts and techniques with applications to coastal resources

Includes bibliography

Evaluation of and projects for the Haitian coastal transport sector

Includes bibliography

The effects of climate change in the coastal areas of Latin America and the Caribbean. Impacts

The regionwide study of the effects of climate change in the coastal areas of Latin America and the Caribbean has been divided into four main parts in line with the comprehensive risk-assessment methodology that was developed as research progressed. The outputs of this regional study are presented in four core documents: an analysis of the factors that are driving climate change, a study on the vulnerability of coastal areas, an evaluation of the impacts of climate change and an exploration of how all these different factors can be brought together in an assessment of the risks associated with some of the impacts of climate change on the region’s coastal areas.