MEXICO PRESENTS ITS COMMITMENTS TO THE UNITED NATIONS TO REDUCE THE EMISSION OF GREENHOUSE GASES AND ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE FOR THE PERIOD 2020-2030

In order to contribute a global agreement to be reached at COP 21 (Paris 2015 Conference) that will be held in the end of this year in Paris, the 27th of March, Mexico presented to the Secretariat of the UNFCCC itscommitments for mitigation and adaptation for the period of 2020-2030.

Unconditionally and complying with the directions and priorities of the General Law on Climate Change, Mexico voluntarily committed to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and compounds by 25%.

This commitment includes a 22% reduction in the direct emission of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorocarbon gases, in relation to the baseline or trend growth in productive, urban and service activities that generate it. It also includes reduction in the emission of black soot with 51%, which global warming potential in the short term can be up to 3,200 times greater than the global warming potential of carbon dioxide in the short term. This short-lived climate pollutant, also called black carbon is a greenhouse compound that comes mainly from the incomplete burning of fossil fuels and is associated with sickness and mortality caused by air pollution at urban level, so its reduction also have significant benefits in health.

This reduction also means that Mexico will achieve to disconnect its economic growth from the emission of greenhouse pollutants such as carbon dioxide, which will reduce from 40 to 24 kgCO2e / 1,000 pesos, i.e. a 40% reduction in carbon intensity of the country’s GDP will be achieved.

Under these circumstances, it is estimated that Mexico will reach a peak of emission of greenhouse gases in 2026 aiming for the decarbonization of the economy.

This voluntary reduction can increase to 40% in case of a comprehensive agreement reached in Paris to secure financial support for mitigation actions in developing countries and to ensure strategic technology transfer in sectors with higher emission rates.

Mexico has included in its 2030 commitments an adaptation component, which priority is to protect people from extreme weather phenomena that are linked to changes in global temperature and to improve resilience and strategic infrastructure of the country and its ecosystems. For this purpose, the most relevant goals were set: increasing the adaptive capacity of the 160 poorest municipalities of the country, establishing early warning systems and risk management at all levels of the government and achieving a zero rate of deforestation.

With these actions, Mexico is the first developing country to announce voluntary commitments to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, and is committed as well to reach a new agreement in Paris in the end of this year that could achieve to keep global warming below 2 Celsius degrees. Mexico also calls upon the international community, both developed and developing countries, to join the global effort to bring actions in order to stop the climate change.

JOINT STATEMENT ON U.S.-MEXICO CLIMATE POLICY COOPERATION

On the occasion of Mexico submitting its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), President Barack Obama and President Enrique Peña Nieto reaffirm their commitment to addressing global climate change, one of the greatest threats facing humanity.

The leaders underscored the importance of jointly addressing climate in their integrated economy. Smart action on climate change and developing clean energy can drive economic growth, and bring broad security, health, and development benefits to the region.

The two countries will seize every opportunity to harmonize their efforts and policies towards their common climate goals.

The two countries will launch a new high-level bilateral clean energy and climate policy task force to further deepen policy and regulatory coordination in specific areas including clean electricity, grid modernization, appliance standards, and energy efficiency, as well as promoting more fuel efficient automobile fleets in both countries, global and regional climate modeling, weather forecasting and early alerts system.

 

The interagency task force will be chaired by Secretary Ernest Moniz and Secretary Juan José Guerra Abud, and hold its first meeting this spring.

The task force will also look to advance its work program through the Clean Energy Ministerial that Mexico is hosting on May 27-28 and related initiatives.

The task force will also look to advance its work program through the Clean Energy Ministerial that Mexico is hosting on May 27-28 and related initiatives. Both countries also commit to enhanced cooperation on air quality and climate policy, including harmonization and implementation of heavy-duty diesel and light duty emission standards, common programs to reduce reliance on HFCs, and technical cooperation on black carbon.