Helena Joyce
Mexico, the 11th-most climate-polluting country in the world, has implemented several policies to combat air pollution and climate change. Notably, Mexico City, once the world's most polluted city, has seen a significant improvement in air quality, dropping to the 917th most polluted city in 2021. However, the Mexican government's climate policy record has been inconsistent, and the country still faces challenges in reducing emissions, particularly in the transportation sector. This paragraph will explore the actions taken by the Mexican government to address pollution and the remaining obstacles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mexican government's attitude towards climate change | Insufficient ambition; inconsistent policy record; prioritization of domestic fossil fuel resources |
| Mexican government's actions to reduce air pollution | Implementation of the Mexican Atmospheric Environmental Contingency Plan (AECP); "Hoy No Circula" (No-Drive Days); restriction on vehicle use; limiting factories' GHG emissions; requirement for gasoline reformulation; closure or relocation of polluting factories; expansion of public transportation; improvement of fuel quality; vehicular emissions control with advanced technologies and surveillance programs; introduction of hybrid and electric taxis; improvement of public transportation; implementation of climate change strategic programs with clear and specific targets, including green energy, energy efficiency programs, and sustainable development of natural resources and biodiversity; strengthening of regulatory frameworks; increasing public awareness |
| Mexican government's actions to address water issues | National Water Plan (Programa Nacional Hídrico or PNH) for 2020-2024 to modernize infrastructure and improve water management; upgrading of municipal wastewater treatment plants; implementation of new industrial effluent discharge standards |
| Mexican government's actions to reduce climate pollution | Adoption of a voluntary climate mitigation target in 2008; passing of the General Law on Climate Change in 2012, which sets targets for clean energy generation and reducing climate pollution; taxation on carbon pollution |
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What You'll Learn
The Mexican government has implemented policies to reduce air pollution
One of the key strategies has been the "Hoy No Circula" or "No-Drive Days" programme, which restricts vehicle usage by forbidding driving on one or two days per week. This policy has been in place since 1989 and has helped reduce the number of vehicles on the road, improving air quality. In addition to this, Mexico City has promoted alternatives to driving, such as investing in public transportation, introducing hybrid and electric taxis, and enhancing pedestrian areas and bicycle accessibility.
The Mexican government has also implemented the Atmospheric Environmental Contingency Plan (AECP) and the General Law on Climate Change, which includes targets to reduce climate pollution and generate power through clean technologies. To achieve these targets, the government has worked to improve fuel quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from factories, and encourage the use of renewable energy sources.
Furthermore, Mexico City has implemented an integrated policy for air quality and climate change, utilising data collection and ambient air quality monitoring systems to inform policy design and evaluation. The government has also strengthened emissions control with advanced technologies and surveillance programs, such as Green inspectors and remote sensors, to identify high-emitting and non-compliant vehicles.
While Mexico has made significant progress in reducing air pollution, it continues to face challenges, particularly in the transportation and power sectors, which contribute significantly to climate pollution. Moving forward, Mexico needs to focus on implementing more stringent emissions standards and further promoting non-fossil fuel alternatives to combat air pollution effectively.
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Mexico City has improved air quality through emissions control
Mexico City has long been notorious for its poor air quality. In the 1980s and 1990s, the air pollution was so severe that birds were found dead from the toxicity. The United Nations dubbed the city the "'most polluted city in the world' in 1992. This was due to a combination of factors, including the city's high altitude, incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels, a proliferation of vehicles, rapid industrial growth, and a population boom.
Recognising the severity of the problem, the Mexican government has implemented various policies and regulations over the years to improve air quality and reduce emissions. Notably, in 1989, the government introduced "No-Drive Days", or "Hoy No Circula", prohibiting driving on one weekday per week, later expanded to include Saturdays. This policy was further strengthened in 2016 with the reactivation of the Mexican Atmospheric Environmental Contingency Plan (AECP), which restricted vehicle use to two days a week and limited factory greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40%.
Mexico City has also prioritised emissions control through advanced technologies and surveillance programs. Green inspectors and remote sensors identify high-emitting and non-compliant vehicles, and efforts have been made to improve fuel quality for diesel and gasoline. The city has introduced hybrid and electric taxis, improved public transportation, and promoted bike-sharing programs. Additionally, climate change strategic programs have been implemented with clear targets for green energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable development.
These measures have had a significant impact. By 2021, Mexico City had dropped to the 917th most polluted city in the world, a remarkable improvement. However, it is important to note that the city's air pollution still exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, and further efforts are needed to address transportation, power generation, and industrial emissions.
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The government has promoted cleaner energy sources
Mexico's government has implemented several policies to promote cleaner energy sources and reduce pollution. Notably, the country has made efforts to improve air quality and address climate change.
In 1989, the Mexican government introduced "No-Drive Days", or "Hoy No Circula", prohibiting driving one weekday per week. This policy has since been expanded to include some Saturdays and additional restrictions during periods of high pollution. Mexico City has also implemented advanced technologies and surveillance programs to strengthen vehicular emissions control, such as Green inspectors and remote sensors to identify high-emitting and non-compliant vehicles. The government has also improved fuel quality for diesel and gasoline, promoted public transportation, and introduced hybrid and electric taxis.
To address climate change, Mexico adopted a voluntary climate mitigation target in 2008 and passed a General Law on Climate Change in 2012. This law set targets to generate at least 35% of power using clean technologies by 2024 and reduce climate pollution by 50% below 2000 levels by 2050. However, Mexico's clean electricity generation fell below 22% in 2023, and the country has yet to set a net-zero target.
Mexico City has also implemented strategic programs for climate change, including the adoption of green energy, energy efficiency programs for public buildings, and the sustainable development of natural resources and biodiversity. The city has set the improvement of air quality as a policy priority and has implemented an extensive data collection system to monitor air quality and emissions.
The federal government is also working to modernize the country's infrastructure through the National Water Plan (2020-2024), aiming to improve water management in urban and agricultural areas. This includes upgrading municipal wastewater treatment plants and implementing systems to measure consumption.
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Mexico has implemented water infrastructure projects
The National Water Plan aims to modernize the country's water infrastructure through various initiatives. This includes the implementation of systems to measure consumption and improve water management in urban and agricultural areas. The government is focusing on upgrading existing municipal wastewater treatment plants to improve water treatment processes.
In 2023, CONAGUA officials and state and local authorities planned to execute a budget of over USD 3 billion to upgrade infrastructure and develop potable and municipal wastewater treatment plants. This demonstrates a significant investment in improving water infrastructure and ensuring better access to clean water for the Mexican population.
Additionally, major manufacturing companies are also contributing to these efforts by considering investments of over USD 500 million in equipment and services for industrial wastewater treatment plants between 2023 and 2025. This aligns with their need to meet new industrial effluent discharge standards.
The World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), and BANOBRAS, Mexico's Public Works Bank, are actively involved in water and wastewater projects. These organizations are executing projects in the northern and central states of Mexico and plan to continue investing in water infrastructure development between 2023 and 2025.
Through these water infrastructure projects, Mexico is striving to address the challenges of water access and sanitation, ensuring that its citizens have access to this essential resource.
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The government has introduced vehicular restrictions
Mexico has made significant strides in reducing air pollution, especially in Mexico City, which was once the world's most polluted city. Recognizing the severity of the problem, the Mexican government has implemented various measures, including vehicular restrictions, to combat air pollution and improve public health and economic development.
One notable initiative is the "Hoy No Circula" or "No-Drive Days" program, introduced in 1989. This policy prohibits drivers from using their vehicles on one weekday per week, and since 2008, it has been expanded to include Saturdays as well. This measure not only reduces the number of vehicles on the road but also encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, such as bus rapid transit lines and bike-sharing systems.
Mexico City has also implemented the Atmospheric Environmental Contingency Plan (AECP), which includes further restrictions on vehicle use. During periods of high air pollution, the AECP may be activated, forbidding driving on two days a week instead of the usual one day restriction under "Hoy No Circula." This plan also targets factories' greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to reduce them by up to 40%.
The government of Mexico City has also strengthened vehicular emissions control with advanced technologies and surveillance programs. Green inspectors and remote sensors are utilized to identify high-emitting and non-compliant vehicles. Additionally, efforts are made to improve fuel quality for both diesel and gasoline, and the introduction of hybrid and electric taxis is being promoted.
To further enhance mobility and reduce vehicular emissions, Mexico City has implemented a bike-sharing program, Ecobici, and worked on enhancing pedestrian areas. These initiatives encourage active transportation and reduce the reliance on private vehicles, contributing to improved air quality.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mexican government has implemented several policies to reduce air pollution, including emissions standards for vehicles and industries, air quality monitoring programs, and the promotion of public transportation. In addition, the government has set a target to generate at least 35% of its power using clean technologies by 2024 and is working to improve water infrastructure through the National Water Plan.
Mexico has made efforts to reduce its share of climate pollution, such as adopting a voluntary climate mitigation target in 2008 and passing a General Law on Climate Change in 2012. However, the country has also prioritized domestic fossil fuel resources, and its power sector emissions have been rising.
The federal government is working to modernize the country's water infrastructure through the National Water Plan (Programa Nacional Hídrico or PNH) for 2020-2024. This includes upgrading municipal wastewater treatment plants and implementing systems to measure consumption and improve water management in urban and agricultural areas.
The government of Mexico City has implemented several measures to reduce pollution, including vehicular emissions control with advanced technologies, improving fuel quality, promoting public transportation, and introducing electric taxis. In addition, the city has set a policy priority to improve air quality and has implemented climate change strategic programs with clear targets, such as green energy and energy efficiency.
