SEMARNAT Marks First-Year Environmental Progress Despite Concerns

SEMARNAT reported progress in ecosystem restoration, species protection, and climate initiatives during the first year of President Sheinbaum’s administration. However, Greenpeace flagged contradictions, citing ongoing fossil fuel projects, infrastructure expansion, and limited funding for environmental programs.

Alicia Bárcena, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), presented the main advances and challenges of Mexico’s environmental policy before the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change. During her participation, she outlined the seven priorities of the federal government’s environmental policy, which focus on restoring ecosystems, protecting natural resources, and ensuring the well-being of the population. 

These priorities include river sanitation through the restoration of the Lerma-Santiago, Atoyac, and Tula basins with historic investments and nature-based solutions; the implementation of the National Water Plan with the General Water Law and the National Water Law to regulate water concessions and guarantee the human right to water; and the National Climate Change Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% while promoting biofuels and sustainable fuels.

Additional actions encompass the promotion of a circular economy and the goal of zero waste, through the creation of two circular economy parks, twelve recycling plants, and the elimination of plastics on beaches; reforestation and conservation efforts covering 200,000ha of forest and 18,000ha of mangroves to meet the international target of protecting 30% of the country’s territory by 2030; environmental justice with priority attention to communities affected by the Sonora River and the Endhó dam through restoration and environmental health programs; and the improvement of air quality in the Mexico Valley, Guadalajara, and Monterrey through new regulatory standards for transport and industry.

The minister highlighted that during this first year of the administration, strategic actions were achieved, such as the National Agreement on Forests, Jungles, and Mangroves; the protection of emblematic species such as the vaquita marina and the golfina turtle; the closure of polluting facilities; combatting illegal logging; mangrove restoration; and the prohibition of highly hazardous pesticides. At the international level, she emphasized Mexico’s renewed environmental diplomacy, including leadership in multilateral and regional forums, particularly ahead of COP30, where the country will present its Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0.

Bárcena stressed that environmental policy is a pillar of national development and reaffirmed SEMARNAT’s commitment to protecting the environment, promoting restoration, and ensuring environmental justice for communities. “Our commitment is to protect and ensure that ecosystems remain a source of life for future generations; there can be no social justice without environmental justice,” Bárcena noted.

Despite the goals achieved, Greenpeace pointed out that the administration has been marked by contradictory environmental policies. “Expectations accompanying the election of a scientifically trained president suggested that Mexico would increase investment in environmental protection. However, so far there has been no change in the country’s environmental policy direction,” the organization stated in a release.

Greenpeace Mexico highlighted the devastation of the Mayan Jungle as an example of these contradictions. While the negative impacts of the Mayan Train on the Yucatan Peninsula and the need for comprehensive restoration were recognized, additional railway infrastructure projects were announced.

In the energy sector, the organization noted that despite a stated commitment to renewable energy, President Sheinbaum continues to support hydrocarbon projects, including fracking for fossil gas, a practice that had been suspended under President López Obrador due to its high environmental impact.

Greenpeace also noted that the 2026 Federal Expenditure Budget demonstrates that the environment is not a priority for the administration, as only 7% of the budget, equivalent to MX$16.4 billion, was allocated to programs directly linked to climate action, such as forest protection and management, sustainable water use, conservation of Natural Protected Areas, and sustainable fishing. In contrast, infrastructure projects account for 21.6% of the budget, the organization highlighted.

The NGO also criticized the Sheinbaum administration for promoting a distorted vision of the circular economy. Greenpeace had previously noted that the Hidalgo Circular Economy Park prioritizes waste valorization over measures aimed at prevention and reduction at the source. The organization emphasized that circular economy policies should not serve industrial interests but instead focus on restoring territories heavily impacted by industry and polluting practices.

On the positive side, Greenpeace recognized that the government joined the ratification of the Global Ocean Treaty, marking a historic multilateral achievement after 20 years of advocacy. However, the organization noted that specific measures for ocean and marine sanctuary protection have not yet been announced.