Green living

10 HIGHLIGHTS OF MEXICO CITY'S CLIMATE ACTION PROGRAM
December 2011

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. The Government of Mayor Marcelo Ebrard is implementing a comprehensive, 15-year Green Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 7 million metric tones (MT) between 2008 and 2012. 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.

Mexico City is a signatory of the Global Cities Covenant on Climate, also known as the Mexico City Pact, and the carbonn Cities Climate Registry.

Here are 10 results of the Green Plan to date:

1. Green Plan goals achieved

Mexico City's Green Plan was launched on August 30, 2007. It addresses several development and environmental challenges simultaneously and ensures that Mexico City's government promotes policies that continue economic development while preserving the environment. The Green Plan has seven pillars: land conservation, housing and public spaces, water supply and sanitation, transportation and mobility, air pollution, waste management and recycling, and the Climate Action Program.

In the four years since its launch, Mexico City has achieved significant progress: of the 76 goals that comprise the Green Plan, 22 have already been achieved, while 31 goals have been realized by at least 50%.

Download the Mexico Climate
Action Program: 2008-2012

2. Mexico City's Climate Action Program: 2008-2012

From 2008 to June 2011, the Climate Action Program contributed to a reduction of 5,772,033 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), representing 82% of the goal of reducing GHGs by 7 million MT of CO2e by June, 2012. The following sectors contributed to these remarkable results:

3. Metrobus - Bus Rapid Transit

Mexico City's Metrobus – a bus rapid transit (BRT) system utilizing clean-burning, ultra low sulfer diesel fuel – has inaugurated 3 lines, and expects to complete Line 4 in early 2012. Line 5 is currently in the planning stage. Metrobus has led to a reduction of 252,251 tons of CO2e from January 2008 to August 2011. Emission reductions are the result of improved vehicle technologies, increased passenger usage, and larger busses replacing mini-buses.

10 Actions by Mexico City to Address Climate Change

4. Metro Line 12

Metro's Line 12 (Tláhuac-Mixcoac) is largest construction project in Latin America and will expand the current system by adding 20 new stations and connecting with three Metrobus transfer centers. The new line will transport approximately 450,000 passengers daily, saving more than an hour of commuting time for many and at a cost of just nine pesos. In addition, the new Metro line will feature kindergartens, cultural centers, public health facilities, internet services, bike parks and attention to the elderly and disabled. Other features will include photovoltaic panels on roofs to supply lighting in general areas and offices, energy saving lighting, escalators with new and improved technologies, and a residual water treatment facility. It is estimated these new technologies will save 11% of electrical energy and result in 100,000 tons of CO2 equivalent reduction annually.

5. Sustainable Transportation

75,000 taxis have been replaced with more effecient vehicles and 12,695 taxis have been scrapped – a reduction of 786,254 MT of CO2e between 2008 and 2011.

Ecobici, Mexico City's bike-sharing program, offers residents the option to rent bicycles for short trips. EcoBici currently has 1,200 bicycles available at 90 bike stations, and 35,000 registered users. Users have taken 3 million trips to date. In 2012, Ecobici will triple its offering to 4,000 bicycles at 275 bike stations, and 73,000 users who will make up to 30,000 trips a day.

5,621 low capacity passenger vehicles have been replaced by medium capacity units, resulting in a reduction of 145,718 MT of CO2e between 2008 and 2011.

6. Green Roofs

To encourage green roofs, the Government of Mexico City offers a tax incentive of 10% of the value of the building. To date, 21,000 m2 of green roofs have been installed on public buildings and private establishments.

7. Water Conservation

Mexico City has implemented 22 programs on 11,000 hectares of Conservation Land to improve water management by reducing soil loss due to water or wind erosion.

8. Green Your City Campaign

Mexico City's Green Your City campaign is an urban reforestation. To date, 232,748 trees, shrubs, ground cover or ornamentals have been planted in response to requests from 213 neighborhoods. Urban reforestation helps mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change, such as rainfall or temperature changes.

The Forest Fires Prevention program decreased fires from 1,190 in 2009, to 863 fires during 2010, and 719 fires in 2011.

9. Waste Management

Significant progress has been made to encourage business and consumer recycling. Mexico City now  collects an average 2,550 MT per day. A ban on plastic bags at retail stores and supermarkets has resulted in consumers using reusable and environmentally-friendly bags. 

10. Investment

The Government of Mexico City has invested $1 billion a year in the Climate Action Program. 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.

Back to Top