Natural Capital Accounting in Action: Guatemala's forest accounts link forest resources with the economy

Concerns regarding the future of forests and the forestry sector prompted key government agencies to begin constructing forest accounts in 2006, publishing them in 2009. Guatemala had a much higher rate of deforestation than elsewhere in Central America, and the accounts provided more than statistics on the issue. They made explicit the link between forest resources and the economy, as well as the cost of losing the country’s forests. The process, and the results, opened up a lively debate between the stakeholders involved, and informed national policies — such as on fuelwood use.

Date:
2014
Publisher:
World Bank Group
Author(s):
WAVES
Details:
Natural Capital Stories, 2pages
Language:
English
Topic:
Forests