Guyana's Carbon Credit Boom Funds Climate Action and Indigenous Communities

Guyana has earned US$353 million from carbon credit sales since 2022. The country’s forests, covering about 86% of its land, store an estimated 19.5 gigatons of CO2e. This makes them one of the world’s largest carbon sinks relative to its size and population. In 2022, Guyana became the first country to earn forest carbon credits under the ART-TREES standard at a national level. The same year, it signed a deal with Hess Corporation worth at least US$750 million for carbon credit sales over a decade.

Revenue from these credits funds climate adaptation, clean energy, and community development. At least 15% goes to Indigenous peoples and local communities, with 252 villages involved. Since 2022, over GYD 9 billion has been distributed, supporting nearly 3,000 projects in Indigenous areas. Guyana’s program shows that forest protection can create substantial economic value under strong standards. The funds directly support Indigenous communities and climate action. The initiative highlights the financial potential of credible carbon markets.