Green living

World Mayors Summit on Climate

MEXICO CITY (November 21) – Mayors from around the world today signed an agreement to address climate change at the World Mayors Summit on Climate, hosted by the Government of Mexico City and Marcelo Ebrard, mayor of Mexico City and chair of the World Mayors Council on Climate. A total of 135 cities (list of cities | view map) signed the Mexico City Pact to establish a monitoring and verification mechanism for cities to address climate change.

"With more than half the world's population today living in cities for the first time in human history, mayors and urban leaders are on the frontline of the planet's fight against a changing climate. Today, the cities meeting here taking action to reduce harmful greenhouse emissions through their commitment to the Mexico City Pact," said Marcelo Ebrard, Mayor of the Mexico City and chair of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change.

In partnership with United Cities and Local Governments' (UCLG), ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, and the World Mayors Council on Climate Change (WMCCC), the Government of Mexico City organized the summit to provide a forum for the signing of an agreement that commits cities to action and urges national governments to advance a binding global treaty.  

"Cities have great capacities to address climate change, even in the absence of a binding global treaty among nations, which is why we are here today. We are demonstrating the leadership of mayors and cities around the world to action," said Martha Delgado, Mexico City's secretary of the environment and ICLEI vice president.  

The Mexico City Pact calls for cities to develop and implement climate action plans that promote local laws and initiatives to reduce GHG reductions. To establish and follow up on cities' commitments, the signers will establish their climate actions in the Carbon Cities Climate Registry (CCCR) at the Bonn Centre for Local Climate Action and Reporting (carbonn).  The Mexico City Pact will be presented to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) when it meets later this month in Cancun, Mexico.

"Funding is a critical component to ensure that cities around the world have the financial resources to implement their climate action plans. Mayors believe that if financial resources become available through transfers from developed to developing countries, a significant portion of these monies should be passed-through to cities and local governments to implement local climate programs," Ebrard said.   

Mexico City is currently implementing a Green Plan designed to reduce GHG emissions by 7 million metric tones between 2008 and 2012 through a comprehensive program of new investments in public transportation, conservation of public lands, reductions in air pollution, improvements in water, solid waste and sanitation infrastructure, and encouraging companies and citizens to adopt climate-friendly practices.

Climate Action Program

Mexico City recognizes that climate change is one of the major challenges facing humanity today and cities are major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Though cities cover less than 1 percent of the world’s total land mass, they are responsible for three-quarters of GHG emissions. Mexico City’s comprehensive programs are aimed at mitigating GHG emissions and encouraging environment-friendly behavior.

Climate change is a tremendous global challenge that is not limited to some geographic regions or countries. Rather it is the world’s collective concern and Mexico City is on the forefront of taking action to reduce the threat of climate change and protect future generations from its potentially disastrous effects.

Mexico City is promoting energy saving and efficiency measures and is installing solar water heating in public and government buildings. The city is also replacing less efficient light bulbs with energy-saving lighting in street lights and public buildings.

Through environmental policies and programs related to energy, water, mobility, conservation, waste and environmental education, Mexico City will be able to reduce its GHG emissions and better capture CO2, while mitigating the risks associated with climate change.  

By 2012, it is Mexico City's goal is to have reduced carbon emissions by 7 million tons (12 percent) from 2008 levels.

Air Quality

Mexico City is devoting significant resources to improving the air quality in the metropolitan area.  To reduce the effects of population growth and an increased vehicle fleet, the city is replacing 100 percent of official Mexico City government vehicles with fuel-efficient and low-polluting units by 2012.

Mexico City is improving air quality and public health in the city through programs that control atmospheric pollutants and reduce the emission of toxic pollutants.

The city is investing in clean technology, such as replacing microbuses (peseros) with new low-polluting vehicles that have greater passenger capacity (see more under Transportation). These larger busses improve air quality in the region by running on ultra-low sulfur diesel.

Mexico City is measuring the success of its Climate Action Program in terms of CO2 equivalent emission reductions and aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 7 million tons between 2008 and 2012.

Waste

Mexico City is transforming one of the world’s largest waste management systems into the greenest in Latin America, putting Mexico City in a league with San Francisco, Amsterdam and other major cities. The city is implementing a ban on retail stores and supermarkets from packing goods in non-biodegradable plastic bags as part of an ambitious recycling program that aims to increase the amount of trash recycled by 79 percent.

Mexico City is implementing a sustainable system for the management of solid waste that promotes recycling in households, commercial and service businesses and industrial facilities.  It has also developed a permanent education campaign to encourage the separation of waste into organic and inorganic waste.

Mexico City is building new state-of-the-art waste disposal facilities and modernizing all other waste selection plants so it can recycle, compost or burn for energy 85 percent of Mexico City’s trash by 2012.

Transportation

To improve mobility choices, Mexico City is devoting significant resources to increasing safe and energy-efficient mass transportation in the city.  The city is investing $2 billion to construct a 12th metro line by 2012 and is providing subsidies to replace taxis with newer, more energy efficient and cleaner vehicles.

Transportation is responsible for a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions, so improving mobility choices for citizens is an important component of the Green Plan. Today, millions of Mexico City residents invest an average of 2.5 hours on their daily commute as a result of a car-oriented culture. The Mexico City government aims to reverse this private car model through efficient, safe, and convenient public transportation options.

The Mexico City Metrobus system won the 2009 Roy Family Award for Environmental Partnership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government because of its success reducing traffic congestion and carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 80,000 tons per year. A unique public-private partnership helped plan and build dedicated Metrobus lanes, including a rapid transit-lane on one of Mexico City’s most crowded avenues. New fuel-efficient buses also replaced a total of 839 polluting “microbuses.”

In addition to these projects, Mexico City has restricted private vehicle usage on certain days and in certain high-traffic zones as part of the “Hoy No Circula” program that reduces both traffic and emissions.

Mexico City has introduced a bicycle mobility strategy that includes free bike rentals and the creation of 21 kilometers of new bicycle paths in 2009, with expansion in future years. The city is building bicycle parking infrastructure at major Metro subway stations. These programs will help the city achieve its goal of increasing bicycle trips from 1 percent to 5 percent of total trips in the city by 2012. 

Water

The unique geography characteristics of Valley of Mexico City present challenges to the city’s water supply. Therefore, Mexico City is investing in treatment and recovery systems that will reduce water leaks and losses, such as modernizing the Mexico City Water System (MCWS) infrastructure.

Water is a vital commodity for a vibrant and dynamic Mexico City, as the Valley of Mexico is prone to periods of drought. The water recovery strategies outlined in the Green Plan can result in water savings of up to 4 cubic meters per second.

In addition to modernizing the water supply network by replacing 100 percent of obsolete or damaged pipes by 2012, Mexico City is increasing the reuse and treatment of water by improving the drainage system and building treatment facilities in key city locations. 

The city has also embarked on a social awareness campaign to educate businesses and consumers of their role in reducing water consumption and improving water efficiency.  

Land Conservation

Fifty-nine percent of the total area of the Federal District is designated as conservation land. In order to protect this highly valuable land, Mexico City is creating a specialized surveillance corps to enforce the laws and restrict settlements on conservation land.

The Federal District’s emphasis on land conservation brings clean air, food, forests and water to the surrounding urban area. In addition to a surveillance corps that will provide strict reinforcement of the law and penalties for those who harm conservation land, Mexico City is implementing additional programs that aim to protect the highly valuable natural ecosystems.

Mexico City is restoring the Magdalena River Basin and Eslava River Basin, reversing their degradation by 100 percent by 2012. The city also plans to protect 27 percent of the conservation land through the establishment of a payment system for environmental services to the owners of forests who abide by the conservation requirements.

Mexico City is promoting improved management of natural resources, specifically the preservation of the native Mexican corn species and the development of sustainable agricultural practices in 8,000 hectares of farm land by 2012.

Habitability and Public Space

Mexico City is refreshing the cityscape with rooftop gardens and green roofs. Mexico City aims to install 500,000 square feet of garden roofs by 2012, which would bring Mexico City on par with Chicago, the current hemispheric leader in green roofing.

Mexico City recognizes that green living and quality of life go hand-in-hand. Therefore, Mexico City is designing and recovering green public spaces based on sustainability and habitability criteria. The goal is to ensure 9 square meters of green areas per resident, an increase of 3.6 square meters.  

New green roofs, parks and gardens will not only transform the image of the city and improve the quality of life of its communities, but also filter pollution, cut energy use, and absorb noise. Many of the new public spaces are located in high-potential but underutilized areas and are effectively promoting both recreation and natural resource protection in these communities.

The new green public spaces will be strengthened with treated water networks, rainwater collectors, social urban furnishing for children, seniors and disabled people, waste disposal bins and bright public lighting.

Back to Top