Guatemala faces considerable challenges around loss of natural resources, deforestation, malnutrition, increasing pollution and waste levels. These conditions impact the environment and economic livelihoods to a large degree, compounding vulnerability and exclusion. In recent years, PAGE partner agencies have provided support for green economy action, for example, by reviewing the country’s Environmental Fiscal Strategy and examining options for fiscal instruments to improve pricing of harmful economic activities, thus supporting national climate change and sustainability objectives. 

Against this backdrop, Guatemala joined PAGE in 2018 to help reformulate economic policies around sustainability to support social inclusion, green jobs and green growth. Notable policy entry points include: 

In 2018, the Ministry of Public Finance was restructured and, following elections, a new President assumed office in 2020. As a result, the inception phase has been extended with focus on completing a national green economy stocktaking, identifying emerging priorities in the wake of COVID-19, consolidating a National Steering Committee, mobilising stakeholders and developing foundational capacity.

PAGE has been  acknowledged in Guatemala's  UN Country Team 2020 Results Report  highlighting PAGE's support for the Environmental Fiscal Strategy through the  promotion of  transparent and effective use of municipal environmental funds, as well as helping the Ministry of Public Finance to identify fiscal mechanisms that can be used to access green financing. 

Looking forward 

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the focus of the Green Economy stocktaking report has been adjusted to cover relevant issues during the recovery period, such as reactivation of productive sectors including manufacturing and agriculture, economic stimulus, macroeconomic modeling and green public procurement. The report will propose fiscal and economic measures with a sustainability and employment focus to restore livelihoods and improve economic resilience after COVID-19. 

Additionally, PAGE has supported the inclusion of green recovery measures by providing inputs to the Social and Economic Response Plan for Guatemala developed by the UN Country Team, which will feed into policy recommendations for the government. 

PAGE is looking forward to broadening the government audience with the participation of key institutions as part of its Steering Committee, such as the National Planning Office (SEGEPLAN), the Ministry of Economy (MINECO) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), among others. PAGE also seeks to strengthen national ownership of green economy at a national level through greater involvement of the private sector, civil society and academia.