Until December 16, 2022, businesses in Guatemala will have to comply with the rules contained in the Regulations for Environmental Evaluation, Control and Monitoring.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) reported that after the publication of Government Agreement 317-2019 on December 24, 2019 in the Central American Journal, which reforms Government Agreement 137-2016, the period was extended by three years so that all projects, works, industries or productive activities present their respective environmental instruments in order to function.
Companies have time up until July 2018 to make the necessary modifications to comply with the new environmental rules to avoid fines or even closure of their business.
The government of Guatemala has announced the creation of a one-stop shop to manage environmental permits for social housing construction projects.
Through an agreement between the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) and the Central American Association for Housing, the single window will be implemented to make the process more expeditious.
A proposal has been made to amend the regulations for environmental control so the SMEs can submit affidavits instead of environmental impact studies when applying for environmental permits.
The proposal by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources aims to simplify the processes to be followed when requesting authorization of environmental permits for the development of construction projects.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has announced that it is working on a number of changes to the regulations on Evaluation, Monitoring and Environmental Controls in order to adapt them to the current regulations.
The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Andreas Lehnoff said that they are working on the modifications and expect them to be completed before the end of the transitional government led by Alejandro Maldonado.
The National Assembly approved on its third reading the creation of the Ministry of Environment, which will be responsible for the environmental monitoring of development projects running in the country.
From a statement issued by the National Assembly of Panama:
After several days of discussion and amendments of the articles, the full National Assembly approved on its third reading House Bill No.
What is Costa Rica's actual position in the world in terms of environmental quality? Is it in fifth place as established two years ago by Yale University, or 54th as it has now been assigned by the same "scholars" ?
EDITORIAL
A country can not in two years jump from 5th place to 54th place in the world in terms of environmental quality, as happened to Costa Rica according to the Environmental Performance Index from Yale University.
An Environmental Business Management Unit is to be created in order to promote the environmental competitiveness of the export sector.
From a note by the Guatemalan Exporters Association (AGEXPORT):
AGEXPORT is in the process of creating the Corporate Environmental Management Unit, which will operate under the Development Division, in order to promote systematic and continuous environmental competitiveness of the export sector of Guatemala, through responsible environmental practices.
The Standards Institute of Costa Rica has issued the "Requirements for sustainable buildings in the Tropics".
The regulation was proposed by the Institute of Tropical Architecture, which was presented in May 2012 during a conference on green architecture and sustainable buildings.
Now the Standards Institute (INTECO), formally designated the National Agency for Standardization, has formalized the set of requirements for sustainable construction in the tropics, with the standard number 06-12-01:2012.
Because of a lack of environmental impact studies and plans for adaptability and environmental suitability, authorities have ordered the closure of the asphalt processing plant property of Maribel SA.
Elsiglo.com reports that "Complaints made by families living in the surrounding neighborhoods led to the closure order for the asphalt processing plant that operates within the premises of the industrial complex located on the banks of the river Caimito, in Limon de La Chorrera, said Armando Peralta, regional director of the National Environmental Authority (ANAM) in Western Panama. "
A group of environmental organizations renewed their complaints about the environmental and social impact of the expansion of pineapple cultivation in Costa Rica.
Since 2007 Costa Rica has held the title of the world's leading exporter of pineapples. Producer’s expectations are to maintain "export growth of between 8% and 10%." Pineapples, along with bananas and coffee, represent 78% of the exports of the entire agricultural sector.
Costa Rican businessmen are concerned about the proliferation of environmental standards that may not be the most urgent and the most suitable for the economy.
Elfinancierocr.com reports that in Costa Rica, "at a rate of four bills per year, since 2006 Parliament has provided 24 new regulations related to environmental issues."
And opinions on whether these standards bring benefits to the country differ depending on the business sector differs consulted: "While the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur) believe that laws such as the conservation of wildlife will lure more tourists, the National Agriculture and Agribusiness Chamber (CNAA) watches with concern excesses in legislation and regulations that will make life difficult for producers. "
The National Assembly has adopted the Law on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity, which strengthens environmental regulations.
A statement from the National Assembly reads:
The plenary of the National Assembly approved this Sept. 5, the Law of Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity, which aims to strengthen the legal framework for environmental issues and ensure better control of natural resources.