Rainforests enter global economy
Rainforests must become part of the global economy to survive, according to the Iwokrama International Centre (IIC). The Centre manages and conserves the unspoilt one million acre Iwokrama Rainforest in Guyana, which has become a model for sustainable rainforest management.
Iwokrama is part of the Guiana Shield, one of only four remaining intact areas of rainforests in the world. The forest was dedicated by Guyana to the international community in 1989 to “develop, demonstrate and make available systems, methods and techniques for the sustainable management and utilisation of the multiple resources of the rainforest and the conservation of biological diversity”.
Since the creation of the Centre in 1996, following an Agreement between the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat, there has been much research into sustainable rainforest management. This work has now become even more critical in the face of the increased understanding of the impacts of climate change.
In its annual report released today, the Centre announced that it had moved a step closer to financial self-sufficiency by developing sustainable commercial activities. The Centre, a non-profit organisation, reported a 24 per cent rise in gross revenue from its businesses, concentrating on sustainable timber, eco-tourism and training in sustainable rainforest management.
2008 Annual Results – Key Figures
- 2008 total revenues of US$2.4 million and expenditure of US$ 1.6 million – compared to revenues of US$ 1.3m and US$1.5m expenditure in 2007. - Commercial activities earned a gross US$682,242 in 2008, up from
US$549,698 in 2007, an increase of 24%. - Gross revenue increase by area:
- Sustainable timber up 44% to US$115,000 -Sustainable tourism up 26%to US$310,000 -Training and services up 22%% to US$290,000
Within these results, the most significant financial event to occur during the year was the award of a major contract, valued at over US$2 million in total, by the Betty and Gordon Moore Foundation of the US. An initial payment of US$800,000 was made last December. This contract will help to fund rainforest management research and capacity building exercises over the next three years and will be carried out in co-operation with the Government of Guyana and the local communities
Iwokrama is also pioneering a financial mechanism that will see the first ever payments for investment in ecosystem services – attempting to establish the true financial value of rainforests and the contribution they make to the world’s climate and biodiversity.
In 2008 Iwokrama signed a milestone agreement with a UK private equity firm, Canopy Capital. The deal aims to generate income from the environmental services provided by the rainforest - including rainfall generation, climate regulation, biodiversity maintenance and water storage. The agreement complements Guyana’s initiative to establish a low carbon model of economic development and sustainable rainforest management.
Edward Glover, Chairman of the Iwokrama Trustees said, “Saving rainforests is the best, most immediate and most cost effective way to combat climate change. We need to value rainforests for the eco system services they provide as living entities, instead of just for the commodities produced when they are cut down.
“It is only by building a sustainable commercial future for rainforests – one that includes the international community giving a real financial value to their role in the global environment - that we can stop deforestation and its devastating impact on climate change.”
Globally, deforestation continues at 13 million hectares a year and generates 20 % of all emissions – more than the entire global transport sector.
Dane Gobin, the CEO of Iwokrama International Centre said, “Iwokrama shows that tropical forests can be conserved and used sustainably, to provide ecological, social and economic benefits to local, national and international communities. Working closely with the local community, we aim to create a sustainable commercial model that ensures the future of the rainforest - a model that can be adapted and replicated for other rainforests around the world.”
Specific Areas of Development
Sustainable Timber
Sustainable forest management is a key element of the Iwokrama model, providing resources and employment for the local community. Iwokrama has pioneered a model of timber extraction, which aims selectively to harvest a maximum of only 20,000 cubic metres of timber a year, minimising impact on forest ecology. The success of this initiative was recognised in January 2008 when the Iwokrama forest achieved Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
Gross revenue derived from sustainable timber increased by 44% in 2008 to US$115,000.
Sustainable Tourism
An independent USAID Report found that “Iwokrama is one of the most, if not the single most important site for birding and nature tourism in Guyana”. A new airstrip and investment in eco cabins helped gross revenue from sustainable tourism grow by 26 per cent to US$310,000.
Forest Management Training and Consultancy Services The Iwokrama International Centre promotes sustainable forest management by providing training services for the local community and internationally. In September, a three year training project ended with over a hundred students graduating in ranger training, tour guiding and collaborative resource management. In 2008, gross revenue from training at the Iwokrama centre increased by 22 per cent to US$290,000.
Research
The Iwokrama International Centre is an important resource for scientific research into climate change and its impact on biodiversity and rainforest habitats. In 2008, the Centre attracted research funding from major international organisations, including US$197,000 for four European Union funded projects.
In 2009, Iwokrama will be announcing the creation of an international science committee and the development of a new research programme, underlining Iwokrama’s unique combination of science and business development.
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