Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Mexico Climate Action Plan

Mexico City is demonstrating environmental leadership that can be adopted by other megacities around the world.


Residents and visitors alike can enjoy the many benefits of Mexico City’s progressive Green Plan. The sweeping 15-year plan will transform the city through strategies and actions that foster sustainable development and reduce the risks and effects associated with climate change. The plan encompasses a wide range of programs and activities to address climate change, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and encourage businesses and citizens to adopt climate-friendly behavior.

The comprehensive Green Plan addresses seven separate pillars: habitability and public space, land conservation, water supply, transportation and mobility, waste and recycling, air pollution, and energy and a climate action program. The environmental initiatives will help Mexico City accomplish its ambitious goal to reduce carbon emissions by 7 million tons (12 percent) between 2008 and 2012.

Nearly 20 city agencies are working together to make the $1 billion-per-year investment in green living a reality in the urban environment. The Green Plan is a key priority of the Mexico City government and represents about 7 percent of Mexico City’s total yearly budget.
The plan has won accolades around the globe, including the support of former U.S. President Bill Clinton. In fact, the Clinton Global Initiative has pledged $200 million to helping Mexico City meet its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Mexico City’s Metrobus project, a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, won the 2009 Roy Family Award for Environmental Partnerships by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Mexico City’s commitment to a more sustainable future is also represented by its active involvement in the C40 – Cities Leadership Group, a group of major world cities promoting action and cooperation on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

With more than half of the world’s population living in urban areas for the first time in history, urban centers such as Mexico City are on the front-line of global climate change. Mexico City is demonstrating environmental leadership that can be adopted by other megacities around the world.