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: 

  • Operationalising the National Development Plan K’atun Nuestra Guatemala 2032, through implementation of the Environmental Fiscal Strategy; 

  • Assisting development of a public investment strategy for climate change adaptation and mitigation; 

  • Supporting sectoral policy reform concerning greenhouse gas emissions, solid waste and water management, renewable energy and energy efficiency; and 

  • Supporting national commitments to the SDGs and NDCs. 

 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. 

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

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.  

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

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Key thematic & sectoral areas

  • Environmental fiscal policy 

  • Solid waste and water management 

  • Sustainable infrastructure 

  • Renewable energy generation 

Capacity building

  • Green industrial policy 
  • Circular economy 

Guatemala & PAGE by numbers

Consultations and workshops: 2

National institutions and ministries partnering: 1

Learn more

Establishing the foundation for PAGE support

Establishing the foundation for PAGE support

Through an official letter, the Minister of Public Finance reconfirmed commitment to PAGE and requested support for the development of a National Inventory of Policies and Initiatives related to green economy along with capacity development activities. On this basis, PAGE offered support on the recruitment of the national coordinator, who was on-boarded in June 2020 and the national stocktaking study is planned for late 2020. While a joint PAGE mission was planned in early 2020 to engage with new members of the administration and launch PAGE, this was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a workplan for Guatemala’s inception phase was agreed upon. These start-up activities will build the foundation for achieving outcome one aimed at shaping national policymaking around IGE principles and contribute to SGD 17 by supporting multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Building capacity to support change

Building capacity to support change

A key feature of the 2019-2020 country workplan is foundational capacity-building to raise awareness on options for a green transition and facilitate inclusion of private sector, academia and civil society stakeholders, thus broadening the green economy discourse in the country. For example, a stakeholder roundtable with public, private and civil society stakeholders on measuring and framing progress towards a green economy through indicators is planned.

Additional trainings on natural resource protection and green industrial policy will be delivered in collaboration with local partners to promote behavioral change in various economic sectors. These activities are designed to contribute to SDGs 4, 8, 12 and 17 by ensuring all stakeholders acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable production and consumption patterns, and by enhancing partnerships for Sustainable Development. They will serve as the basis for achieving outcome three.

COUNTRY FOCAL POINTS

Lead Agency Focal PointGiuliano Montanari (UNITAR)
National CoordinatorXimena Villagrán (Ms.)
Partner Agency Focal PointsAdriana Zacarias Farah (UNEP)
Guillermo Castella Lorenzo (UNIDO)
Fernando Garcia Barrios (UNDP)
Ana Sanchez (ILO)
Government Focal PointsJuan Sebastián Blas García, Director, Dirección de Análisis y Politica Fiscal Ministerio de Finanzas Públicas
Alvaro González Ricci, Ministro, Ministerio de Finanzas Públicas

COUNTRY ANNUAL PROGRESS

2018 Progress 

2019 Progress