Mexico City Achieves 98% of Environmental Goals in Five Years

Five years after launching the Environmental and Climate Change Program (PACC), Mexico City’s Ministry of Environment (SEDEMA) announced that 98.5% of the goals set for 2024 have been achieved.

According to SEDEMA, the implementation of PACC 2019-2024 has resulted in an annual reduction of 2,169,765t of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), which is equivalent to planting and maintaining 5.5 million pine trees over fifty years. “Mexico City, notoriously the most polluted city in the world during the 1990’s decade, has now become a beacon of hope. The number of clean days per year has increased from 99 in 2018 to 120 clean days in 2022,” outlined SEDEMA.

Another significant achievement includes the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in 62,701 households situated in low-income areas facing supply challenges, as well as in 78 schools in the region. Furthermore, rainwater harvesting has been officially recognized as a strategic policy in the Constitution. This aims to ensure that the city adopts the best adaptive measures to address the impacts of climate change.

In the realm of soil conservation, the city’s government granted over 60,000 direct vouchers benefiting more than 200,000 individuals. Moreover, over 2,000 chinampas have been reactivated, and 5,000ha of idle lands have been recovered and revitalized. Likewise, the restoration of 803.6ha of previously encroached-upon forest stand out among the previously mentioned accomplishments, coupled with a 29% reduction in soil conservation loss due to urbanization. 

Notably, the Climate Change Performance Index 2023 highlighted illegal deforestation as a detrimental factor in Mexico’s battle against climate change, with urban expansion identified as one of the primary activities contributing to this issue in the country, as reported by MBN. In this context, collaborative efforts between the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), the National Guard (GN) and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) have led to the closure of 39 sawmills and the confiscation of 1,608m3 of illegal wood, along with 158 pieces of machinery, tools, and chainsaws. Furthermore, Art. 345 Bis of the City Penal Code was amended to increase sanctions for deforestation. 

Regarding the recovery of water bodies, SEDEMA started rehabilitation works in San Buenaventura, Magdalena, Eslava, Santiago, Tacuba and the Remedios River, along with the National Canal. Furthermore, over 26.2ha of wetlands were developed across 34 locations in the urban area of the city, while 722ha of natural wetlands were successfully restored.

SEDEMA emphasized that the exponential increase in vegetation and high-quality soils in the city has allowed for the expansion of urban green areas per inhabitant from 14.5m² to 19.4m². In addition, a new Protected Natural Area was declared in the Tlahuac municipality, the Environmental Value Area of the Bosque de Chapultepec was expanded by 180ha, and the Environmental Value Area decree was reinstated for the Barranca de Tarango, underscored the ministry. 

The current administration, initially led by Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum and currently headed by Martí Batres, has received 24 awards for its environmental performance and interventions in public spaces that contribute to the improvement of the city's natural conditions.