NADBank Launches Water Fund: The Week in Sustainability

This week in sustainability: SEMARNAT’s Alicia Bárcena held meetings with civil society representatives from 22 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean to develop an inclusive regional climate strategy ahead of COP30. Meanwhile, the North American Development Bank (NADBank) approves a US$400 million water resiliency fund for regions along the US-Mexico border. Additionally, CINIF unveiled a publicly accessible Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions calculator to help small and medium-sized businesses calculate their Scope 1 and 2 emissions. 

More updates below:

Latin America Drives Inclusive Climate Agenda Ahead of COP30 Summit

Alicia Bárcena, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, and André Corrêa do Lago, President, COP30, met with civil society representatives from 22 countries, aiming to develop an inclusive regional climate strategy ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil. Ministers and delegations focused on establishing just mechanisms of climate financing, giving voice to small Caribbean nations who are disproportionately affected by climate change, and integrating the perspectives and practices of Indigenous and Afro-descendent communities in pursuit of a truly circular economy.  

NAD Bank Approves US$400 Million Water Resiliency Fund for Border

The NADBank announced the creation of the Water Resiliency Fund (WRF), a new financing mechanism that will provide up to US$400 million for priority infrastructure projects aimed at conserving and diversifying water supply sources in the US-Mexico border region. Through the WRF, NADBank will allocate up to US$100 million from retained earnings over the next five years to provide concessional financing, along with US$300 million in low-interest loans from its loan program. 

CINIF Unveils Free GHG Calculator for SMEs Ahead of 2026 Rules

The Mexican Council for Financial and Sustainability Reporting Standards (CINIF) has launched a free, publicly accessible GHG Emissions Calculator designed to help SMEs calculate Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions. The calculator includes five steps: identify emissions sources, collect activity data, apply emissions factors, standardize measurements, and convert to tons of CO2 equivalent. 

BBVA Debuts CO2 Offset Tool for Clients in Mexico

Starting in August 2025, BBVA clients who record more than 1 metric ton of CO₂ emissions will be able to make donations using a credit card, debit card, or BBVA reward points to two forest conservation projects in Chihuahua: “Guardianes del Bosque Tarahumara” and “Pulmones de la Sierra Madre Occidental.”

Mexico Aims to Turn Sargassum Into Sustainable Products

Mexico’s SEMARNAT is spearheading a regional effort to transform sargassum — a fast-spreading algae that has become a recurring hazard along Caribbean coasts — into a resource for sustainable industries. Along with launching a Regional Action Plan, SEMARNAT has established a Sargassum Circular Economy Park in Quintana Roo, which will process sargassum into products such as biogas, organic fertilizers, bioplastics, building materials, and cosmetics.

Entrepreneurship Key to Solving Mexico’s Environmental Issues

Entrepreneurs are key to solving Mexico’s environmental issues, but need more private and public sector support, says Impact Hub CDMX’s Mario Romero. Romero outlined a series of Impact Hub CDMX initiatives seeking to stimulate this support, including Climathon 2025 and OLA Mexico.