Guatemala faces challenges around the loss of natural resources, deforestation, increased soil and water pollution, and growing waste levels. These impact the natural environment and have socio-economic consequences, compounding vulnerability and exclusion. The country’s Environmental Fiscal Strategy presents a set of fiscal instruments to improve the pricing of harmful economic activities, thus supporting national climate change and sustainability objectives.

Guatemala joined PAGE in 2018 to help reformulate economic policies around sustainability to support social inclusion, green jobs and green growth.

PAGE first met with national counterparts in September 2018 to set the objectives for the programme. Potential entry points were explored including:

1. Operationalizing the National Development Plan K’atun Nuestra Guatemala 2032, through the implementation of the Environmental Fiscal Strategy;
2. Assisting the development of a public investment strategy for climate change adaptation and mitigation;
3. Supporting sectoral policy reform concerning greenhouse gas emissions, solid waste and water management, renewable energy and energy efficiency; and
4. Supporting national commitments to the SDGs and NDCs.

In 2018, the Ministry of Public Finance was restructured. This was followed by general elections in 2019, with a new President to assume office in January 2020. As a result, the inception phase has been extended to 2020, with a focus on completing a national green economy stocktaking study, a joint PAGE mission to identify priorities and mobilize stakeholders, as well as foundational capacity development.

This ongoing work has contributed to several Sustainable Development Goals, including:

Learn more about PAGE work in Guatemala in our 2019 Annual Report

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