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Environment & Sustainability Guide

Air quality, green spaces, and environmental policies in Guatemala

Guatemala faces significant environmental challenges including substantial deforestation, rising temperatures, and vulnerability to natural disasters exacerbated by climate change. Forest cover has declined by 25% since 2000, with emissions growing from 53 Mt CO2eq in 2005 to 62 Mt CO2eq in 2018. Recent efforts focus on low-carbon development, disaster resilience, and SDG progress, though data gaps persist in air quality and sustainability metrics.

Air Quality Index

Moderate

6.0/10

Stable trend

Air quality data is limited, with current AQI and PM levels unavailable. Low air quality reported from 2024 forest fires due to dry conditions. Energy and transport sectors contribute 33.8% to emissions, with growing fossil fuel use from vehicle imports.

Water Quality

Moderate

5.5/10

Water quality faces challenges from pollution, with the Motagua River delivering massive waste to the Caribbean Sea. Access and sanitation align with SDG 6 progress tracked but specific safety data limited. WHO provides 2025 environmental health profile.

Standards and treatment levels not detailed; monitoring needed amid climate impacts on water availability.

Recycling System

Recycling infrastructure data unavailable from database. Waste management challenged by river pollution like Motagua. No specific rates or types reported; sustainability efforts focus on broader low-carbon transitions.

Green Spaces

Guatemala has 32% forest cover, with half lost in last 50 years mainly in northern lowlands. 52% of remaining forest in protected areas. 14 ecological zones support biodiversity but face deforestation pressures.

Forest Coverage: 32.0%

Proportion of forest inside vs outside protected areas: 52% inside. Marine protected areas exist.

Environmental Policies

Guatemala advances low-carbon development with updated Nationally Determined Contributions (ENDBE). Key institutional changes support emissions reduction across sectors. Committed to Paris Agreement via 4 Voluntary National Reviews for SDGs.

Key Policies:

•ENDBE Update
•Low-Carbon Development Pathway

Renewable Energy: Electricity matrix diversifying; energy sector emissions 33.8% in 2018.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

High risk from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires. Dry Corridor, Petén vulnerable. World Bank supports $430M resilience project for Cat DDO.

earthquakesfloodshurricanesvolcanic eruptionswildfires

Climate Change Impacts: 2024 hottest year on record in Guatemala City last century; changing rainy season timing and rainfall amounts. Dry season 2024 caused forest fires, mudslides, low air quality. Increasing temperature and extreme dry/hot weather chain effects. Emissions rose from 53 Mt CO2eq (2005) to 62 Mt (2018).

Sustainability Initiatives

Disaster Risk Management

World Bank $430M Development Policy Loan with Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option to strengthen resilience in Dry Corridor, Petén; integrates risk into agriculture, transport, housing.

Low-Carbon Development

Updating ENDBE for emissions reduction across sectors; institutional changes for low-carbon transition, focusing on energy, transport, agriculture, forestry.

SDG Progress

4 Voluntary National Reviews (2016-2025); tracking SDG 13 climate action, SDG 15 life on land amid deforestation challenges.

Wildlife & Nature

Resplendent QuetzalNear Threatened

Guatemalan Black Howler MonkeyEndangered

Jaguars in GuatemalaVulnerable

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