The UK and Mexico are committed partners in tackling climate change to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and encourage inclusive economic growth. Our shared ambition is reflected in the UK-Mexico Partnership for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth. Under the Partnership, which was signed in 2019, both countries agreed to increase political collaboration and investment to tackle climate change and reduce poverty.
In March 2020, the UK and Mexico agreed the Cancun to Glasgow Declaration, reinforcing these commitments.
The UK government is using its International Climate Finance (ICF) and wider programmes to support action in line with Partnership’s objectives, with a focus on 5 key areas:
- building sustainable cities and encouraging sustainable mobility
- increasing capacity in green finance
- supporting clean energy and energy efficiency
- supporting climate policy
- supporting sustainable forests and land use
Since 2010, over £230 million of UK International Climate Finance has been allocated to Mexico. Through bilateral and multilateral programmes, ICF responds to Mexico’s priorities, helping leaders to advance ambitious climate action and supporting emissions reductions across key sectors prioritised in Mexico’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. UK programmes also build and strengthen capacities at local and federal levels, to support key institutions to develop the strategies and policy frameworks required for enhanced climate ambition.
The UK’s climate programmes under the Partnership also align with international ambitions for COP26 and are helping achieve action in COP26 priority areas such as Clean Road Transport, Green Finance, Nature, Adaptation and Resilience. Beyond COP26, through our continued Partnership, we want the dialogue between Mexico and the UK to deepen further on climate, and to work together to jointly identify how and where we can collaborate to achieve our shared aims and bring about a sustainable and inclusive future.
What has the Partnership helped to achieve?
Recent examples of programmes that have supported our shared climate action goals.
UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) programme
The UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) programme is supporting Mexican efforts to adopt more ambitious climate change mitigation targets and legislation. A project delivered by a local NGO, Polea, helped to enable Mexico City’s Congress to approve a new Climate Change Law in May 2021, which includes a 2050 net-zero target. The law will also strengthen Mexico City’s adaptation and resilience commitments, consistent with Paris Agreement targets. Polea are now implementing a second phase of this project, working with 5 other states to help them strengthen their climate legislation, raising ambition in line with the Race to Zero campaign.
New housing NAMA
Through the multi-donor NAMA Facility, UK ICF supported the implementation of Mexico’s New Housing NAMA Plan (National Appropriate Mitigating Action), including the EcoCasa project, which amongst other technical assistance developed a building standard for lower-carbon housing. The project has benefited over 75,000 families and reduced emissions by more than 1.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent since 2013. More recently, under UK PACT, the Climate Bonds Initiative supported green bond certification for the EcoCasa standard. This resulted in a $24.5 million green bond issue in 2020, which is financing the initiative’s further rollout.
Sustainable Cooling Innovation Fund
In Mexico, demand for cooling is expected to increase 5- or 6-fold in the next 30 years. UK ICF’s Clean Energy Innovation Facility (CEIF) has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to establish and fund the Sustainable Cooling Innovation Fund, delivered through the TechEmerge programme. UK funding is supporting the piloting of innovative sustainable cooling technologies. From Mexico, 2 innovators and 9 companies have recently been selected for support, and will work with other innovators and companies from across Latin America.
Forests 2020 programme
Led by Ecometrica, the Forests 2020 programme brought together leading experts in the UK and Mexico to deliver accurate, up-to-date deforestation data to governments, communities, agribusinesses and traders. Through UK PACT, the UK will continue to work together with the Mexican government at federal and state level to use advanced earth observation to monitor and safeguard sustainable land-use practices.
