UNAM's Climate Study, Presidential Debate: The Week in ESG

During the second presidential debate, candidates' proposals covered topics of economic growth and sustainability. Meanwhile, researchers at UNAM emphasize the threatening effects of climate change on Mexico's economic growth.

Ready for more? Here's your weekly roundup!

Mexico's Development Path: Insights From the Presidential Debate

Presidential candidates presented ambitious plans for economic growth, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability during the recent debate organized by INE. Jorge Mainez and Claudia Sheinbaum focused on creating support funds for SMEs, infrastructure investment, and social welfare programs, while Xóchitl Gálvez emphasized tax exemptions, renewable energy generation, and water management reforms. While candidates outlined their strategies for economic and infrastructure development, concerns were raised by experts about the financial viability of such initiatives, particularly regarding proposed tax reforms and public spending.

Climate Change's Profound Impact on Economic Growth: UNAM

Specialists from UNAM’s Economics Research Institute warn that climate change-induced fluctuations in temperature and precipitation pose significant threats to Mexico's economic growth, with projections indicating worsening conditions by the end of the century without urgent action. Research underscores the heterogeneous impact of climate change across Mexican regions, with vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of extreme weather events, necessitating global mitigation efforts and localized adaptation measures to safeguard economic growth and protect vulnerable populations.

G7 Nations Agree on Coal Phase-Out by 2035

Energy ministers from the G7 agreed to phase out coal in power generation by the first half of the next decade, a significant move toward reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change. While the agreement sets a general deadline of 2035, it allows flexibility for countries like Germany and Japan, taking into account their economic dependencies on coal. Environmental advocates, however, criticize the commitment as falling short of more ambitious targets recommended by scientific bodies, calling for faster decarbonization to align with global climate goals.

Mexico Drives Gender Perspective Integration in Escazú Agreement

Mexico's efforts to integrate a gender perspective into the Escazú Agreement implementation were highlighted during the third Conference of the Parties (COP3) held in Santiago, Chile. The Decision of Gender Perspective Mainstreaming aims to create a safe environment for environmental rights defenders and prevent discrimination and gender-based violence against women, while promoting cooperation among states for environmental justice. Mexico's leadership in the region was underscored by the adoption of an Action Plan for Human Rights Defenders and discussions on international cooperation and gender integration in Escazú Agreement implementation.

NASA, Mexico to Strengthen Space, Environmental Cooperation

NASA strengthened collaboration with Mexico in space exploration and environmental initiatives, reaffirming shared commitments to scientific advancement and planetary protection. High-level discussions with President López Obrador and Chancellor Bárcena explored areas like the Artemis Accords and joint efforts for the upcoming historic moon landing by the first woman. Collaborative projects such as AzTechSat and initiatives like TEMPO for air quality monitoring underscored the multifaceted nature of cooperation, extending to educational exchanges to nurture future innovation in STEAM fields.