IUCN and its Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM), in collaboration with the IUCN Regional Office for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (ORMACC), have published a case study highlighting the application of the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in Guatemala’s Resilient Highlands project. Available in English and Spanish, the publication demonstrates how a systemic approach—linking natural, economic, social, and institutional elements—can be operationalized on the ground to enhance climate adaptation and resilience.
The study presents results from applying the IUCN Global Standard for NbS Self-Assessment Tool, which has contributed to improvements in the global standard. It illustrates how NbS interventions can be implemented effectively when technical expertise and local knowledge are combined, and when communities are actively involved from planning through execution. Co-creation, long-term monitoring, capacity building, and adequate resources were identified as key factors in ensuring sustainable outcomes.
Since 2021, the CEM has supported the Resilient Highlands project, led by IUCN in Guatemala’s western highlands, strengthening its on-the-ground actions and improving its overall impact. The project focuses on reducing climate change impacts on highland water cycles, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and supporting local communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples. The self-assessment of the project indicated strong adherence to the IUCN Global Standard, with a theory-of-change score averaging 91 percent.
The publication also emphasizes the importance of public policies and incentives as enabling factors for NbS, demonstrating that integrating NbS into local and national strategies delivers measurable social and environmental benefits. Lessons from the project have been shared through the Mexico 2024 IUCN Regional Conservation Forum, Guatemalan government training sessions, and the IUCN Academy’s Professional Certificate course on the IUCN Global Standard for NbS.
Implemented by Guatemala’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, National Forest Institute, and INSIVUMEH, the Resilient Highlands project receives technical and financial support from IUCN, the Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources and the Environment (FCG), and Rafael Landívar University’s Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment (IARNA). Funding is provided by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), positioning the project as a model for applying NbS to enhance climate resilience in Latin America.
