Residents and visitors alike can enjoy the many benefits of Mexico City’s progressive Green Plan. The sweeping 15-year plan will transform the city through strategies and actions that foster sustainable development and reduce the risks and effects associated with climate change. The plan encompasses a wide range of programs and activities to address climate change, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and encourage businesses and citizens to adopt climate-friendly behavior.
The comprehensive Green Plan addresses seven separate pillars: habitability and public space, land conservation, water supply, transportation and mobility, waste and recycling, air pollution, and energy and a climate action program. The environmental initiatives will help Mexico City accomplish its ambitious goal to reduce carbon emissions by 7 million tons (12 percent) between 2008 and 2012.
Nearly 20 city agencies are working together to make the $1 billion-per-year investment in green living a reality in the urban environment. The Green Plan is a key priority of the Mexico City government and represents about 7 percent of Mexico City’s total yearly budget.
The plan has won accolades around the globe, including the support of former U.S. President Bill Clinton. In fact, the Clinton Global Initiative has pledged $200 million to helping Mexico City meet its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Mexico City’s Metrobus project, a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, won the 2009 Roy Family Award for Environmental Partnerships by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Mexico City’s commitment to a more sustainable future is also represented by its active involvement in the C40 – Cities Leadership Group, a group of major world cities promoting action and cooperation on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
With more than half of the world’s population living in urban areas for the first time in history, urban centers such as Mexico City are on the front-line of global climate change. Mexico City is demonstrating environmental leadership that can be adopted by other megacities around the world.
The comprehensive Green Plan addresses seven separate pillars: habitability and public space, land conservation, water supply, transportation and mobility, waste and recycling, air pollution, and energy and a climate action program. The environmental initiatives will help Mexico City accomplish its ambitious goal to reduce carbon emissions by 7 million tons (12 percent) between 2008 and 2012.
Nearly 20 city agencies are working together to make the $1 billion-per-year investment in green living a reality in the urban environment. The Green Plan is a key priority of the Mexico City government and represents about 7 percent of Mexico City’s total yearly budget.
The plan has won accolades around the globe, including the support of former U.S. President Bill Clinton. In fact, the Clinton Global Initiative has pledged $200 million to helping Mexico City meet its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Mexico City’s Metrobus project, a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, won the 2009 Roy Family Award for Environmental Partnerships by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Mexico City’s commitment to a more sustainable future is also represented by its active involvement in the C40 – Cities Leadership Group, a group of major world cities promoting action and cooperation on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
With more than half of the world’s population living in urban areas for the first time in history, urban centers such as Mexico City are on the front-line of global climate change. Mexico City is demonstrating environmental leadership that can be adopted by other megacities around the world.
focus areas:
Air Quality
Mexico City is devoting significant resources to improving the air quality in the metropolitan area. To reduce the effects of population growth and an increased vehicle fleet, the city is replacing 100 percent of official Mexico City government vehicles with fuel-efficient and low-polluting units by 2012. Mexico City is improving… read more
Climate Action Program
Mexico City recognizes that climate change is one of the major challenges facing humanity today and cities are major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Though cities cover less than 1 percent of the world’s total land mass, they are responsible for three-quarters of GHG emissions. Mexico City’s comprehensive programs… read more
Habitability and Public Space
Mexico City is refreshing the cityscape with rooftop gardens and green roofs. Mexico City aims to install 500,000 square feet of garden roofs by 2012, which would bring Mexico City on par with Chicago, the current hemispheric leader in green roofing. Mexico City recognizes that green living and quality of… read more
Land Conservation
Fifty-nine percent of the total area of the Federal District is designated as conservation land. In order to protect this highly valuable land, Mexico City is creating a specialized surveillance corps to enforce the laws and restrict settlements on conservation land. The Federal District’s emphasis on land conservation brings clean… read more
Transportation
Bicycle friendly Mexico City A CNN iReport To improve mobility choices, Mexico City is devoting significant resources to increasing safe and energy-efficient mass transportation in the city. The city is investing $2 billion to construct a 12th metro line by 2012 and is providing subsidies to replace taxis with newer,… read more
Waste
Mexico City is transforming one of the world’s largest waste management systems into the greenest in Latin America, putting Mexico City in a league with San Francisco, Amsterdam and other major cities. The city is implementing a ban on retail stores and supermarkets from packing goods in non-biodegradable plastic bags… read more
Water
The unique geography characteristics of Valley of Mexico City present challenges to the city’s water supply. Therefore, Mexico City is investing in treatment and recovery systems that will reduce water leaks and losses, such as modernizing the Mexico City Water System (MCWS) infrastructure. Water is a vital commodity for a… read more
