Question 1

What is the official MARN Guatemala portal?

Accepted Answer

The main portal is www.marn.gob.gt. MARN (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources) is the lead body of Guatemalan environmental policy. It handles environmental licenses, environmental impact assessment, air and water quality control, waste management, vehicle emissions regulation, and environmental complaints. Phone 2423-0500. Address 7a Avenida 8-23 Zona 9 Edificio Etisa, Guatemala City. Hours Mon-Fri 8:00-16:30.

Question 2

What is the Environmental License and who needs it?

Accepted Answer

The Environmental License is the authorization issued by MARN for a project, work, industry or activity to operate legally. Mandatory for constructions over 200 m2, manufacturing industries, gas stations, hotels, hospitals, mining, hydrocarbons, electricity generation, intensive agriculture. Categories: A (high impact — full EIA, 6-12 months, Q5,000-50,000+), B1 and B2 (medium impact — simplified instruments), C (low impact — Environmental Diagnosis, faster and cheaper). See: [MARN Environmental License](/tramites/marn-licencia-ambiental/).

Question 3

What is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and how long does it take?

Accepted Answer

The EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) is the technical study supporting the environmental license application for category A projects (high impact). Drafted by an environmental consultant registered with MARN, not the company itself. Includes: project description, environmental baseline, impact analysis, environmental management plan, contingency plan, closure plan. Drafting time 3-6 months + MARN review 3-6 months + possible public hearing. Study cost Q50K-500K depending on project + MARN fees.

Question 4

How do I get the Vehicle Emissions Certificate?

Accepted Answer

The Vehicle Emissions Certificate is mandatory for vehicles in Guatemala (diesel and gasoline cars of certain age, defined by MARN). It measures CO, HC, NOx and particulates. Cost Q50-150 + Q50 MARN fee. Time: same day. Issued at MARN-authorized centers distributed by department. Required to renew the circulation card in some cases. See: Vehicle Emissions Certificate.

Question 5

Where do I report pollution or environmental damage?

Accepted Answer

Three channels: 1) MARN phone line 2423-0500 (general complaint), 2) Online portal marn.gob.gt under "Denuncias", 3) If specifically at Lake Atitlan — AMSCLAE (Authority for the Sustainable Management of Lake Atitlan). Other lakes have special authorities: Amasuram (Amatitlan), Apropeten (Peten Itza). Complaints can be anonymous. The General Attorney (PGN) and Public Ministry (MP-Environmental Crimes Prosecution) also receive serious complaints. See: [AMSCLAE Environmental Complaint](/tramites/autori-tramite-procedimiento-denuncia-ambiental/).

Question 6

What is the MARN Environmental Window?

Accepted Answer

The Environmental Window (Ventanilla Ambiental) is the centralized MARN service where environmental instrument files (EIA, Environmental Diagnosis, Risk Study, Management Plan) are submitted, reviewed and tracked. Organized by project category (A, B1, B2, C). Operates in person at headquarters and regional offices, with online tracking by file number. Reduces processing time by avoiding multiple visits to different MARN directorates.

Question 7

What happens if I operate without an Environmental License?

Accepted Answer

Sanctions: 1) Fine Q5,000-100,000+ depending on project category and severity, 2) Order of temporary or permanent closure, 3) If proven environmental damage — criminal action for crime against natural resources (Art. 347 criminal code, up to 5 years prison + additional fine), 4) Repair of environmental damage at offender expense, 5) Disqualification for future licenses. MARN inspections occur by complaint, denunciation or oversight program. Enforcement intensified since 2023.

Question 8

What is CONAP and its relationship with MARN?

Accepted Answer

CONAP (National Council of Protected Areas) is a decentralized entity linked to MARN. It manages the Guatemalan System of Protected Areas (SIGAP) — 366+ areas covering ~31% of the territory (national parks, biosphere reserves, hunting bans). If your project is in a protected area or buffer zone, you need CONAP authorization IN ADDITION to MARN. CONAP also manages hunting licenses, wildlife flora transport, forest manager registry. See: [CONAP Guatemala](/conap/).

Portal / Directorate	Purpose
marn.gob.gt	Institutional site, programs, complaints, transparency
marn.gob.gt/ventanilla-ambiental	Submit and track environmental license files
marn.gob.gt/sistema-eia	Environmental Impact Assessment — category A projects
marn.gob.gt/cambio-climatico	National Adaptation and Mitigation Plan (Law 7-2013)
marn.gob.gt/recursos-hidricos	Water resources management, water quality
marn.gob.gt/residuos	Solid waste integral management regulation
marn.gob.gt/denuncias	Online complaints (anonymous allowed)
marn.gob.gt/transparencia	Public Information Access Law
conap.gob.gt	CONAP — National Council of Protected Areas (linked entity)
AMSCLAE	Authority for Sustainable Management of Lake Atitlan
AMASURAM	Authority for Sustainable Management of Lake Amatitlan Basin
APROPETEN	Authority for Itza-Sayaxche Reserve Management

Procedure	Cost	Time
MARN Environmental License	Q1,000-50,000+ by category	30 days (C) - 12 months (A)
Controlled Final Disposal License Replacement	Variable	30-60 days

Procedure	Cost	Time
AMSCLAE Environmental Complaint (Lake Atitlan)	Free	Immediate
MARN Environmental Complaint (general)	Free	Immediate (anonymous optional)

Category	Project type	Required instrument	Time	Approximate cost
A — High impact	Mining, hydrocarbons, large electric generation, industrial parks	Full Environmental Impact Study (EIA)	6-12 months + public hearing	Q5,000-50,000+
B1 — Medium-high	Medium industries, hotels >50 rooms, hospitals, medium urbanizations	Detailed Initial Environmental Assessment (EAI)	3-6 months	Q2,000-10,000
B2 — Medium-low	Small industries, commercial buildings, constructions >200m2	Environmental Diagnosis (DA) or simple EAI	1-3 months	Q500-3,000
C — Low impact	Small businesses, workshops, offices, shops	Simplified Environmental Document	1-2 months	Q500-1,500

Program	Purpose
National Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan	Compliance with Law 7-2013 (climate change)
REDD+ Emissions Reduction Program	Forest conservation linked to carbon credits
National Disaster Risk Reduction Program	Coordination with CONRED
National Biological Diversity Strategy	Biodiversity conservation — coordination with CONAP
Solid Waste Integral Management Program	Support for municipalities on waste management
Green Seal	Recognition for companies with good environmental practices
Lake Atitlan Program	Lake recovery via AMSCLAE
Lake Amatitlan Cleanup	Comprehensive plan via AMASURAM

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Useful Data

Directories

Have ready	Why
Active company NIT at SAT	Tax ID
MINECO Trade Patent	Formal company with legal representative
Legal representative DPI	Valid, scanned
Notarial act of legal representation	If signer is not the owner
Exact project address	GPS coordinates, cadastral certification, plans
Land Use Certificate (municipality)	Verify compatibility before investing in EIA
Prior MARN categorization	Know which instrument applies before drafting it
Registered environmental consultant	Updated list at marn.gob.gt — only they can sign EIA
MARN environmental solvency	No pending sanctions

Violation	Sanction
Operating without Environmental License	Fine Q5,000-100,000+ + closure
Unauthorized discharge to water body	Heavy fine + criminal action
Illegal logging or burning	Fine + repair + equipment seizure
Building in protected area without authorization	Fine + demolition + criminal action
Illegal disposal of hazardous waste	Fine Q10K-200K + criminal action
Non-compliance with approved management plan	Progressive fine + license suspension
Operating without Emissions Certificate (vehicle)	Fine Q500 + retention at inspection

Water body	Special authority
Lake Atitlan	AMSCLAE (Authority for Sustainable Management of Lake Atitlan)
Lake Amatitlan	AMASURAM (Authority for Sustainable Management of Amatitlan Basin)
Lake Peten Itza	APROPETEN (Reserve Management Authority)
Lake Izabal and Rio Dulce	INAB and regional MARN
Amatique Bay (Caribbean)	MARN + DIPESCA + Navy
Pacific Coast	Regional MARN + DIPESCA

Channel	Detail
Main phone	2423-0500
Address	7a Avenida 8-23 Zona 9 Edificio Etisa, Guatemala City
Hours	Mon-Fri 8:00-16:30
Website	marn.gob.gt
Complaints	marn.gob.gt/denuncias or central phone
Facebook	@MARNGuatemala
Twitter/X	@MARNGuatemala
Instagram	@marnguate