USAID's Investments for Environment in Guatemala - Dollars to Results

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Results of USAID's Environment spending

FY 2011 $3.8 M

Total Environment $3.8 M

FY 2012 $3.4 M

Total Environment $3.4 M

FY 2013 $2.8 M

Total Environment $2.8 M

FY 2014 $8.2 M

Total Environment $8.2 M

FY 2015 $7.6 M

Total Environment $7.6 M

Guatemala possesses a wealth of natural resources that, if managed responsibly, can bring economic benefits to local communities and to the country as a whole.  In Guatemala, USAID’s environment program focuses on the management of natural resources to mitigate impacts of global climate change through three key areas: 1) implementation of market-driven conservation and management strategies; 2) reduction of vulnerability to climate change; and 3) strengthening of environmental governance. 

Why Our Work Matters…

Earth's average temperature has risen by 1.4°F over the past century, and is projected to rise another 2 to 11.5°F over the next hundred years.

Illustrative results in 2011

711,125 hectares under improved natural resource management

“Improved natural resource management” includes activities that promote enhanced management of natural resources for one or more objectives, such as conserving biodiversity, sustaining soil or water resources, mitigating climate change, and/or promoting sustainable agriculture. This is essential for preserving biodiversity and reducing the impact of climate change.
98,696 hours of climate change training completed

Training activities strengthen agency and in-country capacity, as well as promote strategic partnerships. They improve the likelihood that development partners will continue to implement climate change projects after U.S. government support has ended,  as well as increase the likelihood that agency staff will program climate change funds effectively for maximum impact.
$15,000 leveraged from public and private sources for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) is an effort to create a financial value for the carbon stored in forests. This offers incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development.
9,687 people benefited economically from sustainable natural resource management and conservation interventions
Economic benefits include: increased household income, number of new enterprises developed, as well as, benefits from ecosystem services. Economic benefits may be based on actual cash transactions or other economic value of natural resources.
949 people trained in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is an effort to create a financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development. REDD+ topics include the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change; national greenhouse gas inventories and national programs or policies to mitigate or adapt to global climate change; promotion of technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; promotion of public awareness efforts; activities to reduce the vulnerability of forests and lands to climate change impacts; activities to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions from the land use sector; and activities to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector.
881 people received training in natural resource management and/or biodiversity conservation

Natural resources and biodiversity conservation includes managing natural resources in ways that maintain their long-term viability and preserve their potential to meet the needs of present and future generations. Training includes sessions in which participants are educated according to a defined curriculum and set learning objectives in resource management and conservation. 

Illustrative results in 2012

929,527 hectares of biological significance under improved natural resource management
A hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. Areas are rated on a set of criteria and then prioritized according to their biological significance, which helps USAID decide where to focus its work. Improved natural resource management includes activities that improve management of natural resources for the objective of conserving biodiversity in areas that are identified as biologically significant through national, regional, or global priority-setting processes. This is essential for preserving biodiversity and reducing impact of climate change.
493,843 hectares of natural resources showing improved biophysical conditions
A hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. Improved biophysical conditions are demonstrated where there is data showing improvement in one or more natural resources in the area over time.
10,124 people with increased economic benefits derived from sustainable natural resource management and conservation
Increased economic benefits are increases in economic earnings or consumption due to sustainable management or conservation of natural resources. When people receive tangible economic benefits from natural resource management or conservation, they are more likely to value and support these activities into the future, well after the project ends, thus creating a sustainable impact.
1,018 people trained in natural resources management and/or biodiversity conservation
Natural resources and biodiversity conservation includes managing natural resources in ways that maintain their long-term viability and preserve their potential to meet the needs of present and future generations. Training includes sessions in which participants are educated according to a defined curriculum and set learning objectives in resource management and conservation.
2 laws, policies, strategies, plans, agreements, or regulations addressing climate change (mitigation or adaptation) and/or biodiversity conservation officially proposed, adopted, or implemented

Policies, laws, strategies, plans, agreements and regulations include those developed and formally endorsed by governmental, non-governmental, civil society, or private sector stakeholders. An improved enabling environment through legal and policy reform, strategy development, and planning is essential for ensuring that efforts and investments in climate change have legal and strategic backing and institutional ownership.

Illustrative results in 2013

591,527 hectares of biological significance under improved natural resource management
A hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. Areas are rated on a set of criteria and then prioritized according to their biological significance, which helps USAID decide where to focus its work. Improved natural resource management includes activities that improve management of natural resources for the objective of conserving biodiversity in areas that are identified as biologically significant through national, regional, or global priority-setting processes. This is essential for preserving biodiversity and reducing impact of climate change.
486,527 hectares in areas of biological significance and/or natural resource showing improved biophysical conditions
A hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. Areas are rated on a set of criteria and then prioritized according to their biological significance, which helps USAID decide where to focus its work. Improved biophysical conditions are demonstrated where there is data showing improvement in one or more natural resources in the area over time.
1 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduced or sequestered

Reducing GHG emissions has long-term impacts on slowing climate change. Reducing GHG emissions can also have strong ancillary benefits for pollution, security, health, and women.

Illustrative results in 2014

942,849 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduced or sequestered

Reducing GHG emissions has long-term impacts on slowing climate change. Reducing GHG emissions can also have strong ancillary benefits for pollution, security, health, and women.
749,961 hectares of biological natural resources under improved natural resource management

A hectare is equal to 2.47 acres or 10,000 square meters.  "Improved Management” includes activities that promote enhanced management of natural resources for the objective of conserving biodiversity in areas that are identified as biologically significant through national, regional, or global priority-setting processes. This is essential for preserving biodiversity and reducing impact of climate change.
486,527 hectares in areas of biological significance and/or natural resource showing improved biophysical conditions
A hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. Areas are rated on a set of criteria and then prioritized according to their biological significance, which helps USAID decide where to focus its work. Improved biophysical conditions are demonstrated where there is data showing improvement in one or more natural resources in the area over time.
32 stakeholders with increased capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate variability and change
Adaptive capacity is the ability to adjust to climate change, to moderate potential damages, to take advantage of opportunities, or to cope with the consequences.
1 laws, policies, strategies, plans, agreements, or regulations addressing climate change or biodiversity conservation officially proposed, adopted, or implemented
Policies, laws, strategies, plans, agreements and regulations include those developed and formally endorsed by governmental, non-governmental, civil society, or private sector stakeholders. An improved enabling environment through legal and policy reform, strategy development, and planning is essential for ensuring that efforts and investments in climate change have legal and strategic backing and institutional ownership.

Illustrative results in 2015

1,309,543 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduced or sequestered

Reducing GHG emissions has long-term impacts on slowing climate change. Reducing GHG emissions can also have strong ancillary benefits for pollution, security, health, and women.
767,174 hectares of biological significance under improved natural resource management

A hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. Areas are rated on a set of criteria and then prioritized according to their biological significance, which helps USAID decide where to focus its work. Improved natural resource management includes activities that improve management of natural resources for the objective of conserving biodiversity in areas that are identified as biologically significant through national, regional, or global priority-setting processes. This is essential for preserving biodiversity and reducing impact of climate change.
476,415 hectares in areas of biological significance and/or natural resource showing improved biophysical conditions
A hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. Areas are rated on a set of criteria and then prioritized according to their biological significance, which helps USAID decide where to focus its work. Improved biophysical conditions are demonstrated where there is data showing improvement in one or more natural resources in the area over time.
8 laws, policies, strategies, plans, agreements, or regulations addressing climate change or biodiversity conservation officially proposed, adopted, or implemented
Policies, laws, strategies, plans, agreements and regulations include those developed and formally endorsed by governmental, non-governmental, civil society, or private sector stakeholders. An improved enabling environment through legal and policy reform, strategy development, and planning is essential for ensuring that efforts and investments in climate change have legal and strategic backing and institutional ownership.
6 stakeholders with increased capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate variability and change

Adaptive capacity is the ability to adjust to climate change, to moderate potential damages, to take advantage of opportunities, or to cope with the consequences.
A low impact trail built for ecotourists to protect an archeological site.

A low impact trail built for ecotourists to protect an archeological site.

M. Donald, USAID/USDA Forest Service

View the "Real Lives, Real Progress" infographic (PDF, 1.13MB)​

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