Guatemala
PAGE in Guatemala
Guatemala is the largest Central American economy, with strong growth but limited progress in tackling inequality and poverty. Its national income depends on agriculture, a few key exports, and remittances. The country faces significant challenges from climate change, natural resource depletion, deforestation, and pollution, which worsen socio-economic vulnerabilities and social exclusion. In 2018, Guatemala joined PAGE with the aim of reformulating economic policies to prioritize sustainability, support tax reform, facilitate a just transition, and generate green jobs. In recent years, with PAGE support, Guatemala started promoting a greener economy with its Environmental Fiscal Strategy, proposing fiscal instruments to better price environmentally harmful activities and boost sustainable public procurement.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Guatemala launched its Economic Recovery Plan focused on job creation and strategic investments in 2020. PAGE, along with relevant ministries, developed activities for a green recovery within existing policies, including the Strategy for Strengthening Value Chains and the Low Emissions Development Strategy. In 2022, Guatemala faced rising living costs and major productivity disruptions, which were caused by tropical storms, leading to a State of Public Calamity declared in June. Amidst these challenges, PAGE’s implementation was launched to promote green fiscal policies and support sustainable development efforts.
In 2023, Guatemala continued to face economic challenges like high inflation and rising living costs. These pressures highlighted the need for an effective tax system and a just transition. In August 2023, the new elected government included the transition to a green economy in its planning. Officials continued the implementation of the Environmental Fiscal Strategy and selected value chains like cocoa and ecotourism, as part of the collaboration with PAGE and the broader development cooperation community in the country.
Sustainable Development
PAGE work in Guatemala aims to contribute towards the achievement of several SDGs, including SDGs 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
PAGE Milestones
- 2025
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources leads the First Circular Economy Congress, in Guatemala City, to explore innovative solutions for waste management
- 2024
First Green Jobs Fair in Guatemala
- 2023
Guatemala in collaboration with PAGE organises the High-Level Green Economy Forum in March 2023
- 2022
The Ministry of Public Finance made official the launch of the Partnership for Action on Green Economy.
- 2021
Release of an analysis on the effects of COVID-19 on the green economy of Guatemala, coordinated by the UNRCO Economist.
PAGE developed an environmental public expenditure classification guide to support local municipalities to improve transparency in the monitoring and classifying of public expenditure in key areas.
- 2018
Guatemala joins PAGE
