Climate change, vulnerability, and migration in the Maya Mam Region: A Pop No’j study

Summary

This exploratory study examines how climate change and migration intersect in San Pedro Necta, a predominantly Maya Mam municipality in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Drawing on climate data from 1981–2020, interviews with farmers, technicians and community members, and workshops with local actors, the report identifies increasing climate variability—including shifting rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and more frequent extreme events—as a major driver of agricultural losses, soil erosion and the spread of new pests.

These impacts have intensified food insecurity, increased production costs and deepened reliance on migration, particularly towards the United States, where remittances now underpin many households’ livelihoods and agricultural activities. The study also highlights significant social effects, such as school desertion linked to migration and rising land prices driven by remittance‑fuelled demand.

Through a co‑creation process, the report outlines opportunities for collaborative local adaptation, including agroecological training, diversification of food production and strengthened institutional alliances.

This is a brief summary translated from the report’s original language of Spanish.