Mexico announces ambitious post-2020 emission reduction target

(NEW YORK – March 27, 2015)  Mexico today became the first emerging economy to announce a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions after 2020, pledging to peak those emissions by 2026 and reduce them 22% below a predetermined “business as usual” level by 2030. Mexico also committed to reduce its black carbon emissions 51%, and said it would increase its overall emissions reduction to 40% below business as usual with access to additional financing and technology in the context of a global agreement. The announcement comes ahead of the March 31 deadline for countries to announce their “intended nationally determined contributions” (INDCs) in the lead-up to the United Nations climate negotiations taking place in Paris at year’s end.  Mexico has now vaulted to the front of the pack of countries announcing their post-2020 emissions reductions targets, joining Switzerland, the European Union, and Norway, Environmental Defense Fund said.

“Mexico is solidifying its legacy as an environmental leader by taking tremendously important, concrete steps forward to stop climate change,” said Christina McCain, Senior Manager of the Latin American Climate Initiative. “Mexico’s significant and unconditional commitment as a major emerging economy demonstrates that 21^st century economies are recognizing low-carbon growth as the path of the future.”

The U.S. and Mexico separately announced they would be launching a high-level Task Force on Clean Energy and Climate Change Policy to work jointly to help achieve these and other climate action goals. The new task force complements the collaboration already underway between Mexico and the State of California, following on the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year.

“Mexico’s leadership in making this announcement confirms that we are in a new era, in which all nations have a role to play in the collective fight against climate change,” said Nathaniel Keohane, Vice President for International Climate. “Since the Copenhagen conference in 2009, there has been a lot of talk about ‘bottom-up’ climate action — but nobody has really known what that looks like.  Now the contours of the ‘bottom-up’ world are beginning to come into focus: Countries are taking on ambitious national commitments, supported by bilateral and regional ties — such as the strong relationship between the US and Mexico.”

EDF’s experts are available to speak on Mexico’s announcement:

• Nathaniel Keohane: Vice President, International Climate
• Christina McCain: Senior Manager, Latin American Climate Initiative
• Danae Azuara Santiago (Spanish & English): Project Manager, Mexico

Para Español: http://www.edf.org/media/mexico-anuncia-ambiciosa-meta-de-reduccion-de-emisiones-post-2020