On September 5, the Guatemalan state passed the national ?Framework Law for Regulating the Reduction of Vulnerability, Obligatory Adaptation to the Effects of Climate Change and the Mitigation of Green House Gases GHG? establishing new mechanisms for indigenous and peasant communities to participate in decision-making processes regarding climate change policies. As members of an ad hoc committee formed by that National Congress of Guatemala, la Asociaci?n de Forester?a Comunitaria Utz Che, la Asociaci?n de Comunidades Forestales de Pet?n ACOFOP, and la Alianza Nacional de Organizaciones de Forester?a Comunitaria are largely to thank for their successful advocacy efforts leading to the inclusion of community demands in the aforementioned framework law. In addition, the law now requires specific social and environmental safeguards be put in place to protect these communities. Such a victory will serve to expand indigenous and local communities? abilities to affect national policies, particularly their abilities to protect their rights to land and reap benefits from carbon markets.