Mexico's Fight Against Air Pollution: Strategies And Initiatives

Mexico City was once known as the world's most polluted city, with air pollution posing a serious threat to public health and economic development. The city's basin-like topography, surrounded by mountains, traps air pollutants, and its high altitude results in lower oxygen levels. The industrialisation and urbanisation of the 20th century, coupled with a population boom, led to a sharp rise in emissions from transport and industry. However, Mexico has implemented various measures to combat air pollution, including the Management Programme to Improve Air Quality (Proaire), which has successfully reduced pollution levels. Other initiatives include the Hoy No Circula policy, which restricts vehicle use, emissions testing for all vehicles, and the closure or relocation of polluting factories. Despite these efforts, more needs to be done, and Mexico may require aid from other countries to effectively tackle air pollution.

The Mexican government has implemented policies such as 'Hoy No Circula', prohibiting cars on certain days

The Mexican government has implemented various policies to address air pollution, including the "Hoy No Circula" program, which restricts vehicles from circulating on certain days. This policy, first introduced in 1989, is based on the last number of a vehicle's registration plate and aims to keep 20% of vehicles off the road on any given weekday. While this has helped reduce pollution, more efforts are needed to address the persistent issues of traffic congestion and the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in metropolitan areas.

The Mexican government has also expanded its air quality monitoring systems, with 20 systems covering 18 states and 71 cities and metropolitan areas. This includes the IMECA (Índice Metropolitano de la Calidad del Aire), which measures the level of pollution and associated health risks. Despite these efforts, air pollution remains a critical problem in Mexico City, with the city's unique topography—located in a basin surrounded by mountains—trapping air pollutants.

To further combat air pollution, the government has required the reformulation of gasoline, the closure or relocation of polluting factories, and the expansion of public transportation. These measures have contributed to significant improvements in air quality, with an 86% decrease in carbon monoxide (CO), a 53% decrease in ozone, and a 32% decrease in particulate matter over a 20-year period. However, the slow implementation of low-sulphur standards and the use of fuel ethers have been noted as areas for improvement.

The Management Programme to Improve Air Quality (Proaire) has been instrumental in tackling air pollution in Mexico City. Introduced in 1996, Proaire has since expanded to 11 cities nationwide and implemented various measures, including the transition from fuel oil to natural gas in industry and power generation. Local governments have also played a crucial role by systematically registering air quality data and implementing emissions reduction programs.

While the Mexican government's efforts have led to notable improvements in air quality, the country still faces challenges in addressing the complex issue of air pollution. The collaboration between civil society, businesses, and local and regional governments remains vital in the ongoing fight for cleaner air in Mexico.

The government has also mandated emissions testing for vehicles and closed/moved polluting factories

Mexico City has long been recognised as one of the most polluted cities in the world. The air pollution in Mexico's capital is caused by a combination of industrial emissions, vehicle emissions, topography, and population growth.

The Mexican government has implemented a range of policies to tackle air pollution, including mandating emissions testing for vehicles and closing or moving polluting factories. In 1989, the government introduced the "Hoy No Circula" or "Cars Don't Circulate" programme, which restricts the use of a fifth of all vehicles on weekdays, depending on their registration plate number. This policy aimed to reduce vehicle emissions, which are a significant contributor to air pollution in the city.

In addition to vehicle emission controls, the government has also taken steps to address industrial pollution. In 2012, the government required polluting factories to be closed or moved, and prohibited drivers from using their cars one day a week. This was coupled with a broader initiative to replace fuel oil with natural gas in industries and thermoelectric power generation in the Valley of Mexico. The government has also expanded public transportation and prioritised active transport, such as cycling and walking, to reduce emissions from the transport sector, which is currently the main cause of air pollution in the city centre.

The government has also implemented an air quality monitoring system, IMECA, which measures the levels of six main pollutants in the city. This system helps authorities assess the state of air quality and take necessary actions to protect public health. Despite these efforts, air pollution remains a critical issue in Mexico City, and further cooperative efforts are needed to tackle the problem effectively.

There is a focus on expanding public transportation, walking, and cycling to reduce vehicle emissions

Mexico City has been working to improve its air quality since the 1980s and 1990s, when air pollution was at its peak. The city's location in a basin surrounded by mountains, coupled with its high altitude, contributed to the trapping of air pollutants. The primary sources of these pollutants were human activities, such as burning fossil fuels in power plants and vehicle emissions.

To address this issue, the Mexican government has implemented various measures, including the expansion of public transportation. This includes the introduction of the Management Programme to Improve Air Quality, or Proaire, which has been successful in reducing air pollution levels. The programme has restricted vehicle use, with the famous "Hoy No Circula" policy, which translates to "today, don't circulate," preventing a fifth of vehicles from circulating on any given weekday. This policy, introduced in 1989, has helped reduce the number of cars on the road and, consequently, vehicle emissions.

In addition to these restrictions, the government has also encouraged the expansion of public transportation options. This includes the development of more public buses, which are now the only means of transportation in many poor neighbourhoods. While this has been a step in the right direction, there are still concerns about the age and environmental impact of these buses.

To further reduce vehicle emissions, the government has also focused on promoting active transport, such as cycling and walking. This includes expanding bicycle accessibility and infrastructure, making it easier and safer for residents to choose this mode of transportation.

The combination of these initiatives has contributed to a significant decrease in carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate matter in the atmosphere over the last two decades.

The government is working to improve air quality monitoring and systematic data collection

The Mexican government has been working to address the country's air pollution problem, which has been a major issue in Mexico City for decades. The government has implemented various plans and policies to improve air quality monitoring and systematic data collection, as well as to reduce emission levels.

The Management Programme to Improve Air Quality, or Proaire, was introduced in 1996 by city and regional governments. This programme has been successful in reducing air pollution in Mexico City, bringing the air quality rating down from a dangerously high rating of 300 on the Metropolitan Air Quality Index (Imeca) in the 80s to more recent averages of less than 150. Proaire has since been expanded to 11 cities nationwide.

The IMECA index is used to display the level of pollution and the level of risk to human health in Mexico City. It takes into account the levels of various pollutants, including O3, PM10, PM2.5, CO, NO2, and SO2, as well as meteorological data such as ambient temperature, wind speed and direction, precipitation, solar radiation, relative humidity, and barometric pressure. This comprehensive monitoring system allows for the assessment of the state of air quality and the implementation of protective actions when necessary.

In addition to Proaire, the Mexican government has implemented other policies to reduce emissions and improve air quality. For example, the "Hoy No Circula" or "Cars Don't Circulate" programme was introduced in 1989 to restrict vehicle use on certain days of the week, depending on the vehicle's registration plate number. This programme has helped to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and, consequently, vehicle emissions.

The government has also taken steps to address industrial emissions, which have been a significant contributor to air pollution in Mexico City. In the past, non-regulated and highly polluting factories, power plants, and oil refineries operated throughout the city. In recent years, the government has worked to close or relocate these polluting factories and has required the reformulation of gasoline to reduce emissions from vehicles and industries.

While the Mexican government has made significant efforts to improve air quality monitoring and systematic data collection, as well as to reduce emission levels, it is clear that much more needs to be done to address the country's air pollution problem.

Mexico aims to achieve zero deforestation by 2030, addressing the loss of forests due to agriculture and livestock

Mexico has implemented various measures to tackle air pollution, particularly in Mexico City, which was once labelled the "most polluted city in the world". The city's topography, with its high altitude and location in a basin, has contributed to the trapping of air pollutants. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and a population boom during the 20th century further exacerbated the issue. However, Mexico City's air quality has significantly improved in recent years.

One of the key initiatives to reduce air pollution in Mexico City was the "Hoy No Circula" policy introduced in 1989. This policy mandates that vehicles are prohibited from circulating on certain days of the week based on their emissions levels. Additionally, all vehicles in Mexico City and the State of Mexico are required to undergo emissions testing every six months. The Mexican government has also taken steps to address polluting industries, including the closure or relocation of factories and the reformulation of gasoline.

To promote a shift towards more sustainable transportation, Mexico has expanded its public transportation system and increased bicycle accessibility. These efforts, along with the implementation of low-sulphur standards and the use of fuel ethers, have contributed to significant reductions in carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate matter levels.

While Mexico has made notable progress in improving air quality, particularly in Mexico City, it continues to face challenges. Wildfires, volcanic activity, and the use of organic fuels for cooking and heating also contribute to air pollution. Additionally, emissions from vehicles remain a concern, and there is a need to balance economic development with environmental protection.

Addressing deforestation, Mexico aims to achieve zero deforestation by 2030, targeting the loss of forests due to agriculture and livestock. Mexico has one of the highest deforestation rates globally, with an average loss of over 280,000 hectares of forest annually in recent years. This deforestation is largely driven by changes in land use for livestock and agriculture, with 90% of these changes occurring illegally. To combat this, Mexico has formed coalitions such as the Mexican Alliance for Ecosystem Restoration (AMERE), which includes Reforestamos Mexico, WRI Mexico, and WWF Mexico. These organizations work with various sectors to drive investment in ecosystem restoration and promote sustainable land management practices. The Mexican government's Sembrando Vida reforestation program, launched in 2016, aims to plant over 720 million trees, although it has faced criticism for allegedly encouraging deforestation and prioritizing social outcomes over environmental ones.

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