Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Project, Phases 1 to 3

Summary of Project Achievements (Status as of March 2026)

The Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Phase 3 (MRV3) Project successfully concluded implementation with an 89% overall implementation rate and 91% expenditure, reflecting strong delivery of its planned outputs and outcomes. The close-out phase activities focused on completing the remaining project closure requirements, including the Independent Verification of the MRVS for Year 2023, submission of the Final Technical Report, and completion of the Final Project Audit.

MRV3 has made a significant contribution to strengthening Guyana’s internationally recognized Monitoring, Reporting and Verification System (MRVS), reinforcing the country’s capacity to monitor forest resources, support REDD+ implementation, and maintain transparency in climate reporting. The project has strengthened REDD+ safeguards and certification systems while enhancing Guyana’s technical readiness to participate in emerging forest carbon markets and access results-based climate finance under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Building on these achievements, Conservation International (CI), in collaboration with NORAD, is finalizing the Terms of Reference for the Terminal Evaluation, which will guide the project’s final evaluation and close-out process. Completion of this evaluation will further document the project’s achievements and lessons learned while supporting the transition to future investments.

The successful implementation of MRV3 has also established a strong foundation going forward, which will build on the institutional capacity, technical systems, and partnerships developed under the project. 

Planned priorities include expanding MRV coverage to additional ecosystems, including mangroves, strengthening institutional coordination, enhancing transparency in Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) reporting, and increasing Guyana’s access to international climate finance.

the achievements of MRV3 and demonstrates Guyana’s continued commitment to maintaining a credible, transparent, and internationally recognized forest monitoring system that supports sustainable forest management, climate-smart development, and long-term climate finance mobilization.

Overall, MRV3 has successfully strengthened Guyana’s forest governance framework, enhanced institutional and technical capacity, and positioned the country to sustain its global leadership in low-carbon forest management and results-based climate finance.

(as of June 2025)
Phase 1 (2010-2014): Establishing Interim Measures Phase 1 focused on establishing the foundational elements of the MRVS. During this period, interim measures were put in place to begin monitoring forest cover and carbon emissions. The primary goal was to develop initial capabilities and infrastructure necessary for comprehensive national REDD+ monitoring. The successful establishment of these interim measures set the stage for more advanced monitoring and reporting in subsequent phases.

Phase 2 (2015-2019): Consolidating and Expanding Capacities Phase 2 aimed at consolidating and expanding the capacities built during Phase 1. This phase saw significant advancements in the MRVS, including the completion of forest area change and emissions reporting for 2015-2019 under the Guyana-Norway agreement. The introduction of new ESA satellites provided national satellite coverage, which was previously unavailable. Technologies like Google Earth Engine replaced costlier remote sensing software, enhancing efficiencies and maintaining high mapping standards. By 2020, the annual deforestation rate was recorded at 0.057%, with mining being the primary driver, as shown in the graph above. Total emissions from deforestation and degradation during this period were 14,818,312 tCO2, with the forest area estimated at 18.001 million hectares.

Phase 3 (2020-2025): Enhancing MRVS and Integrating Forest Carbon Markets The objective of Phase 3 is to maintain an efficiently functioning MRVS that meets international and national requirements and supports natural resources management in Guyana. This phase addresses the evolving international reporting requirements from the UNFCCC, including the Paris Agreement and the Katowice Rulebook. Key activities include improving the MRVS to track performance of REDD+ activities, integrating real-time satellite data for more accurate monitoring, and supporting capacity building at both government and non-government levels. The NICFI Planet Data Program, initiated in 2020, provided high-resolution satellite monitoring, enhancing Guyana’s capabilities. The MRVS also informed policy improvements and expanded applications in land management, involving community participation through initiatives like CMRV, which trained local monitors and verified high-accuracy mapped areas. These efforts are crucial for Guyana to meet its REDD+ objectives, underpin strategies, and track both carbon and non-carbon impacts of REDD+ activities. To date, the Guyana Forestry Commission has published eleven MRV Reports, independently verified by third-party verifiers.