This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard Mexico Country Manager Pablo David Porras Necoechea
Mexico City and its surrounding metropolitan area have evolved into a megacity. Despite the tremendous social, economic, and environmental problems that challenge every sizeable urban region, Mexico City has set an example by working towards climate change. In 2015, it committed to the goal of achieving carbon neutrality and climate resilience by 2050.
The global environmental impact not-for-profit organization, CDP, awarded Mexico City with the highest rating in the CDP 2020 A-List. It recognizes its actions to reduce GHG and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Mexico City was recognized as one of 88 cities worldwide that are leading on environmental action.
Mexico City plans to neutralize its emissions through various plans, policies, and programs. These actions seek to reverse climate change effects through the following:
- focus on reducing GHG
- reduce pollution
- improve the vehicle verification program
- promote a low-emission industry
- reduce volatile organic compounds in household products
- diversify Mexico City’s energy matrix
The total amount needed to finance for these actions is not known.
The Secretariat of the Environment of Mexico City manages climate policy. Its general objective is to achieve sustainable development with low carbon intensity through:
- Identifying and coordinating efforts oriented to the strategic planning of the Mexico City Climate Action Program 2014-2020
- Reducing emissions of climate pollutants
- Decreasing the conditions of vulnerability and increase the adaptation of the population to climate change
- Educating and informing society
- Achieving resilience to adversities on climate change mitigation and adaptation
The Mobility Sector Emission Reduction Plan aims to reduce pollutant emissions from mobility sources by up to 30% by 2024.
The Solar City Project aims to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 25,000 tons by installing solar panels on the city’s 300 public buildings. It will generate a reduction of 12,120 tons of CO2 per year and savings of 61 million pesos (US$3 million). Additionally, Mexico City plans to install solar roof panels at the Central City Market. Among other projects, the market will also have a biodiesel plant to reuse edible vegetable oil.
Recently, Mexico City published the environmental standard NADF-011-2018, which promotes the installation of equipment to control emissions of volatile organic compounds, change raw materials for inputs for lower environmental impact, and better operating practices in commercial and service establishments.
The megacity suffers from significant problems due to the number of inhabitants and daily routines. However, over the last few years, Mexico City has registered a downward trend in the concentration of monitored pollutants. From 2019 to 2020, there was a 9% decrease in PM2.5 particles, 4% in PM10 and nitrogen dioxide, 3% in sulfur dioxide, and 2% in carbon monoxide. These numbers are a result of coordination with the authorities and the strengthening of actions to prevent and control particle emissions.