About 35% of Guatemala’s total surface area is covered in forests, down considerably from 50% in 1950. Over this time, forests have been cleared primarily for agricultural use, livestock production, and urban settlements. Forest fires, pests and diseases, and illegal wood extraction are also some of Guatemala’s direct drivers of deforestation.
92 percent of the national territory
Guatemala’s ER program aims to strengthen the management of national protected areas and reinforce forest policy instruments. The program is implementing REDD+ activities focused on expanding existing incentives to increase carbon stocks; promoting sustainable forest management; strengthening the co-management of protected areas, agroforestry systems, and forest plantations; improving governance and law enforcement on forest lands; developing a forest products value chain; and promoting new mechanisms to compensate for the conservation of environmental and ecosystem services.