Climate Protection in the Mexican Urban Policy
Programme description
Title: Climate Protection in the Mexican Urban Policy (CiClim)
Commissioned by: Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI)
Country: Mexico
Partner organisations: Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU), Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT)
Lead executing agency: Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID)
Overall term: 2017 to 2021
Context
Mexican cities have experienced constant growth in recent years, which is increasingly affecting people's quality of life. 78 per cent of the Mexican population already live in cities. This growth is expected to continue in the years to come. The urban population consumes large amounts of energy and natural resources in their day to day activities. The planning concepts are obsolete, resulting in traffic congestion, flooding and the loss of green spaces.
The cities suffer from the consequences of climate change and, at the same time, account for 70 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions. They are therefore crucially important for mitigating the effects of climate change and for ensuring that Mexico fulfils its international commitments, such as the goals of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
Objective
The quality of life in Mexican cities is improving thanks to better urban planning. Cities contribute more to protecting the climate and environment.
Approach
The project provides technical advice and strategic support for sustainable urban development. In order to achieve this, it cooperates with the urban development ministry SEDATU, the environment ministry SEMARNAT and the five local administrations in Hermosillo, León, Mérida, Morelia and Tlaquepaque.
The focus is on integrated planning. Transport, environmental and social concerns are always considered in the context of holistic urban development and all the stakeholders involved. Events such as the "Green Infrastructure and Climate Change Forum" intensify the exchange of experiences between relevant stakeholders at city and federal levels. This helps to anchor climate protection more firmly in the programmes of municipalities, ministries and other local authorities. Innovative models will be jointly developed which, among other things, can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help cities adapt better to extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall. The approach includes creating a roadmap for the implementation of green infrastructure projects in Mexican cities.
In the municipalities, the project identifies urban areas with potential for densification, supports the development of integrated plans for sustainable urban mobility, and promotes local public transport and active mobility such as cycling and walking. The project supports municipalities in integrating the social and economic value of green spaces and biodiversity into urban planning. Representatives from local policy-making and administrative bodies, as well as people from civil society, will receive training in clean, safe and networked mobility.
Results
A roadmap was defined in collaboration with local authorities, civil society organisations, academia and international organisations. It sets targets and schedules for green infrastructure projects in Mexican cities. As a result, cities will be better equipped to cope with the consequences of climate change.