Mexico Renews Commitment to Fight Climate Change Denny Alfonso - CGTN America
go to original June 7, 2017

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said his country will maintain its commitment to stop the effects of global climate change, despite the U.S. decision to pull out of the Paris accord. Environmental experts in Mexico say that given the border tensions between the two countries, the challenges are enormous.

“We have different cooperation projects regarding environmental policies with the U.S, but we think since Trump became president those efforts will be at risk,” Gonzalo Peon, with the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy said.

A risk that may jeopardize the bi-national Border Environment Cooperation Commission created in 1994, as part of the NAFTA agreement, to preserve and protect the environment along the U.S.-Mexico border. The project was established to implement environmental strategies 30 kilometers north and south of the border aimed at improving air quality, energy efficiency, and water waste.

Regardless of what happens to NAFTA, which Trump once called “the worst trade deal ever,” Mexico City is doing its part to reduce gas emissions in public transportation by renovating its bus fleet with eco-friendly metro-buses.

The Mexican government’s climate strategy involves several long term goals. Over the next 10 years, officials are looking to significantly reduce so-called short-lived climate pollutants, which exist for a relatively brief time in the atmosphere but contribute to global warming and pollution. It’s hoped by 2037, Mexico’s economy will not depend on the use of fossil fuels. And, in 40 years, there will be a 50 percent reduction of emissions when compared to the year 2000.

The challenges are enormous for the approximate 21 million people living in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. Despite the U.S. move to pull out of the Paris accord, environmental advocates in Mexico are pushing for worldwide urban action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

See the original at CGTN America

Related: Lawsuits Are Challenging Almost All Trump’s Environmental Offensives (Fusion)

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!