Prime Minister Samuel Hinds says Guyana is already taking steps towards a low carbon economy through the exploration of hydro-electricity and other forms of energy.

At a ‘Green Walk’ hosted to observe World Environment Week, Hinds and a group comprising Presidential Adviser on Environment Navin Chandarpal, representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), University of Guyana and secondary school students trekked from the Umana Yana to the Botanical Gardens on Sunday to start off the activities.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the group assembled at 7 am to start the walk. It was held under the global team for the week ‘Kick the Carbon Habit! – Promoting Energy Conservation in Guyana,’ and was organised by the EPA.

In his address the Prime Minister said this year’s theme draws attention to the need to give priority to reducing fossil fuels by investing in the development and use of alternative energy such as wind, solar and hydro-electric energy.

It focuses on heightening awareness of the use of tropical forests in the removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide and slowing the rate of climate change.

In addition it emphasizes conservation, improving efficiency in energy transportation, transmission and the use and investment in technologies that result in the reduction of carbon emissions, Hinds said.

Alluding to the many opportunities towards a low carbon economy in Guyana, the Prime Minister noted that the need for kicking the carbon habit can provide impetus for innovation, new business and industries and employment opportunities across the developed and developing world.

“Our resolve to gradually move towards a low carbon economy would not necessarily imply starting over from scratch… Already there are many policies and technological options available to facilitate the transition. Under the Kyoto Protocol many initiatives are being undertaken by both developed and developing countries toward lower carbon emissions…countries such as China, India and Brazil are investing significantly in renewable energy and many more countries have set targets for such investments,” he added.