State of Mexico to Reduce GHG Emissions

The State of Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (SMAyDS) has approved four environmental projects aimed at preventing and controlling pollution. These initiatives focus on improving air quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and modernizing the State’s Automatic Atmospheric Monitoring Network.

Alhely Arronis, head of SMAyDS, explained that the first project involves the reengineering and expansion of the State’s Atmospheric Monitoring System. With an investment of MX$30 million (US$1.5 million), this project will upgrade infrastructure, including new gas analyzers, particle monitors, meteorological sensors, and data acquisition systems, ensuring more efficient operations.

The remaining three projects, each with a budget of MX$8 million, target different areas. One aims to reduce particulate matter and GHG emissions in semi-rural areas by gradually replacing fossil fuels, wood, and coal with solar water heating systems. This change is expected to lower emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and CO₂ equivalents.

Another program introduces an agroecological transition for the production of agave in the Toluca and Mexico Valley metropolitan areas. It will support 200 producers across 17 municipalities, covering 200ha of productive land and 200ha for restoration. Key outcomes include capturing 400t of CO₂ annually, improving water infiltration, and restoring soil, along with reducing respiratory illnesses through better air quality.

The final initiative focuses on creating an inventory of ravines in the State of Mexico to identify environmental threats such as deforestation, soil erosion, pollution, and uncontrolled urbanization. The project will implement measures like cleanup efforts, slope stabilization, housing relocation or regularization, and wastewater management.