Georgetown, Guyana – (April 13, 2018) The Office of Climate Change (OCC), which falls under the purview of the Ministry of the Presidency, today, officially launched its website, www. climatechange.gov.gy, as part of the it’s programmatic responsibility to enhance the availability of quality climate change and other related environmental data to its partners and other stakeholders. At a simple ceremony, held at its office at the Ministry of the Presidency, Head of the OCC, Mrs. Janelle Christian said that the website is essential to the work of the Department as it will be used as a medium for stakeholders as well as members of society to have access to information on the work of the office as well as useful general information with respect to climate change and its impact.
“Previously, when you wanted information on the office itself and the office functioning as the focal point of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and also to have information on climate change policies, strategies or plans or what the Government of Guyana is doing to address climate change adaptation and mitigation, there was no medium where you could have gone to access such information. Further, in this age of technology, it is not always convenient for students and your partners to always make themselves available to physically to come to your office and so we wanted a medium to speak to the work of the office and its mandate, who we are, what it is that we do and also make information easily available to members of the public on the work that we were doing. So, we just want all the stakeholders to know that there is a medium now that they can go online and access information related to the work of the office and work of government,” she said.
Mrs. Christian noted that previously, the website related to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which is specific to Guyana’s partnership with the Government of Norway was sometimes used to host aspects of the work of the OCC. However, in 2016 through discussions with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the OCC was able to secure financing for the establishment of its own website.
Going forward, Ms. Christian noted too that the OCC will be working to include information related to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), for which the OCC is the Secretariat. She noted that the OCC is currently concluding a technical assistant project, which is being facilitated through the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) to have content produced on the modality of the GCF, how persons can engage with the GCF and the submission process for proposals and these will be added to the website.
“The GCF, which is the financial mechanism established under UNFCCC to support developing countries with respect to climate change adaptation and mitigation and it is not only available in terms of accessing the GCF for Government, but it’s also for private sector. In fact, it is a private sector facility in the GCF and we would like to know that we have that information out there so that private sector Guyana can get involved, see how they can get involved and take advantage of the opportunities for financing available through this window and also for civil society organisations can also benefit from this,” she explained.
As far as practicable, the OCC will also be looking to share information on its website that is relevant to the work it does so that it does not become a website for the Office only but what is taking place in the various sectors with respect to climate change action, climate change solutions, actions related to mitigation and adaptation and resilience building.
Additionally, the OCC will be looking to upload all past surveys and studies conducted in the sectors related to its work so the website can also be a repository of information to students and researchers.
Meanwhile, Website Developer, Mr. Phil Mingo, in brief remarks, said that the website offers quick and easy access to essential information on all projects and sectors that the OCC is involved in. The website boasts a modern, colorful design and is divided into six sections; Home, About, News and Events, Projects, Multimedia and Resources. Each page provides detailed information on all aspects of the organisation’s mandate and projects.
The Office of Climate Change (OCC) also has an active social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, which are linked to the new website.
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