Mexico Committed to Social, Environmental Responsibility

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent. To tackle the ballooning problem requires coordination between governments and the public. However, this coordination is not enough as governments must step in. Martha Delgado, Deputy Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), is keenly aware of this mammoth challenge and said the government has launched several initiatives to contribute to a more sustainable world.
Delgado said that during COP27, Mexico announced new targets to contribute to tackling climate change’s adverse effects. She added Mexico expanded its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce from 22% to 35% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The country is expected to invest over US$40 billion to meet this goal. 
“I joined the COP27 in Egypt, where developing nations demanded a profound change regarding the climate crisis and damage control, particularly for the most affected people, based on the principle of climate justice," she explained.

Delgado reported that at the end of 2021, Mexico began a close collaboration with the University of California to help the automotive sector to toward electrified mobility. This collaboration resulted in the formation of the US-Mexico Working Groups on the Electrification of Transport, aiming to propose a transition toward electromobility at a regional level by coordinating integration with the US and Mexico’s productive industrial chains. 
The working group held two meetings, during which the partners mapped the obstacles ahead and made suggested how to overcome them. For instance, the group recommended the correct disposal, handling and recycling of lithium batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs).  It also proposed creating a clear roadmap for the standardization of charging stations and the implementation of a sustainable industry policy focused on national manufacturers. 
Delgado highlighted that one of the most relevant proposals was focused on human capital development, which includes the incorporation of women into the industry’s workforce, backed by SRE’s feminist foreign policy. According to INEGI, women represent only 37% of the transportation equipment manufacturing sector’s workforce. Other sources point out that only 24% of the automotive industry’s workforce are women and only 3% of leading positions are held by women.

The Mexican government also presented the Sonora Plan at COP27, which is a program that seeks to attract US$48 billion to generate clean energy, especially from wind and solar sources in Sonora. It also contemplates the manufacturing of lithium batteries and promoting EV manufacturing, as well as cross-border collaboration.

According to Delgado, the Sonora Plan is Mexico’s key component to reach its climate goals. “The global reality requires us to make proposals and respond promptly to meet the most urgent challenges such as inclusion and environmental responsibility. SRE is committed to tackling these issues; these projects and proposals are proof of our coordination to meet the needs of the industry and spur the economic development of the country,” Delgado said.
“The challenges Mexico and its partners face regarding climate change are great, but so is the capacity to confront these problems,” she concluded.