Norway agreed on Nov.9 to pay Guyana up to USD 250 million by 2015 to preserve forests in the South American nation as part of a scheme to slow climate change. Norway, which has led donor nations in slowing tropical deforestation with a budget of 3 billion Norwegian crowns (USD 530 million) a year, said it wanted to help Guyana maintain forests that cover 75 percent of its land. "Saving the world's remaining tropical forests is a crucial element in the battle against climate change," Norwegian Environment Minister Erik Solheim said of a memorandum he signed in Guyana with President Bharrat Jagdeo. "Provided that the expected results are achieved and that other elements of the partnership fall into place, our support for the years up to 2015 could add up to as much as USD 250 million," he said. (Reuters)
