Resource information
This country note briefly summarizes
information relevant to both climate change and agriculture
in Guatemala, with focus on policy developments (including
action plans and programs) and institutional make-up. Like
most countries in Latin America, Guatemala has submitted one
national communication to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Land use change and
forestry are by far the largest contributors to greenhouse
gases (GHG) emissions in the country. The emission reduction
potential of the sector is large, but not sufficiently
explored. Guatemala counts with eight CDM projects, one of
which is in the agricultural sector. It is estimated that
Central America produces less than 0.5 percent of global
carbon emissions, but it is one the most vulnerable regions
to climate change related impacts on the planet. Agriculture
is highly vulnerable to climate variability and weather
extremes, this coupled with problems of land degradation in
the country. A greater emphasis on reducing soil
degradation, reforestation and developing and applying
adequate insurance mechanisms can be placed for better
management of public resources in light of natural disasters
in the agriculture sector.
