This profile provides an overview of climate risk issues in Guatemala, including how climate change will potentially impact agriculture, water resources, human health, energy and ecosystems. The brief includes an overview and climate summary of Guatemala, as well as projected climate changes. Also included is information on sector impacts and vulnerabilities to climate change, the policy context and information regarding ongoing climate change projects in Guatemala. 

In Guatemala, climate change poses challenges to long-term development goals. About one-third of Guatemalans depend on natural resources for their livelihoods, and that natural resource base is already degraded by overexploitation, deforestation, and slash-and-burn agricultural practices. Higher temperatures and more variable rainfall will further hamper productivity, increasing the risk of food and water insecurity among the most vulnerable populations.. Climate change will increase disaster risks in rapidly urbanizing areas with highly unstable physical infrastructure, such as in the highlands (vulnerable to landslides) and Pacific coastal regions (vulnerable to flooding and storm surge from severe weather).  

Since 1992, Guatemala has taken actions to fulfill its commitments under the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including drafting a National Climate Change Policy, pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its INDC, and signing and ratifying the Paris Agreement.

Access the English version of the profile. 

Find other country and regional climate risk management resources here.