Mexico
Mexico falls one place and ranks 39th in this year’s CCPI, as an overall low performer. The country receives a high rating in Energy Use, medium in GHG Emissions, low in Climate Policy, and very low in Renewable Energy.
Entering a New Political Era
As Mexico enters a new political era with the inauguration of climate scientist Claudia Sheinbaum as president on 1 October 2024, the CCPI country experts see potential for increased climate action. Over this past year, Mexico’s climate policy has stagnated, with little progress reported since its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) at the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27). While the 2022 NDC set targets of reducing GHG emissions by 35%, sector-specific decarbonisation plans remain undeveloped.
Although the CCPI national experts highlight Mexico’s significant renewable energy potential and opportunities for small-scale projects, the government’s focus has largely remained on fossil fuel value chains, as evidenced by the recent opening of the Dos Bocas refinery and the continued expansion of gas pipelines in the country’s north and southeast. The experts criticise that the renewable energy targets are not ambitious enough and public resources have been mainly allocated to fossil fuels. The oil moratorium, which has been in place since 2019 and bans new shale oil and gas permits, is one policy the experts say is working well is. Mexico currently plans to increase its gas and oil production.
New Sustainable Taxonomy Introduced
Deforestation and forest degradation are continuing problems in Mexico, irrespective of forest development policies. After years of criticism, recent evaluations of the Sowing Life (Sembrando Vida) programme have shown its benefits in creating positive socio-economic conditions for maintaining productive forests.
The Sustainable Taxonomy introduced by the finance ministry is a notable positive development in this past year. It aims to support sustainable investment, as well as the Sustainable Finance Mobilization Strategy, which offers various financial instruments for closing the financing gap for sustainable activities in the country.
Looking ahead, the experts recommend advancing Mexico’s energy transition and aligning energy policy with the Paris Agreement, developing a clear NDC implementation pathway, and committing to net zero emissions by 2060. It is also vital to address ongoing deforestation and land-use conflicts.
Key Outcomes
- Mexico falls one place and ranks 39th in this year’s CCPI, as an overall low performer
- Mexico enters a new political era with the inauguration of climate scientist Claudia Sheinbaum as president
- Key demands: advancing Mexico’s energy transition and aligning energy policy with the Paris Agreement, developing a clear NDC implementation pathway, and committing to net zero emissions by 2060
CCPI Experts
The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:
- Dr. José María Valenzuela (University of Oxford)
- Jorge Villarreal Padilla & Mariana Gutiérrez Grados
