Mexico City’s Environmental and Climate Change Program is a comprehensive urban sustainability and climate action framework designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, strengthen climate resilience, and enhance environmental management across the metropolitan area. The program integrates climate mitigation and adaptation measures including sustainable transport, renewable energy expansion, waste reduction, urban greening, water management, and energy efficiency. As one of the largest cities in Latin America, Mexico City serves as a major demonstration case for large-scale low-carbon urban transformation and climate governance.
Description of Town
Type of Town:
☒ Urban (Central Business District)
☒ Urban (Mainly consists of commercial area)
☒ Urban (Mainly consists of residential area)
☐ Village (village)
☐ Village (island)
☐ Others
Coverage rate of population with access to tap water: High but varies across districts; city programs aim to improve water infrastructure and management.
Coverage rate of population with access to gas: Moderate; increasing transition toward electrification and clean energy use.
Power plant capacity: Not city-based; Mexico City relies on regional power generation.
Specific power plant type: Grid electricity including fossil fuel and increasing renewable energy sources.
Number of public transportation vehicles per 10,000 population: High; includes metro system, bus rapid transit (BRT), trolleybuses, and other public transport systems.
Popularization rate of telephone, including mobile telephone Over 100 sets per 100 persons
Per capita area of paved roads: High urban infrastructure density
Per capita area of public green space: Moderate but expanding through urban greening and park development programs.
Climate conditions Temperate highland climate with mild temperatures and seasonal rainfall.
Expected Future Development
Expected demographic changes: Continued population growth and urban expansion requiring improved infrastructure and sustainable services.
Expected industrial/economic changes: Expansion of green economy sectors, renewable energy services, sustainable mobility technologies, and environmental management industries.
Other expected development: Expansion of low-carbon transportation, improved waste and water management systems, climate adaptation infrastructure, and air quality improvement programs.
Town Policy, Vision or Objective
What is the policy, vision, or objective of the town?
• Mexico City aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and strengthen climate resilience through integrated environmental and climate policy. The city promotes sustainable mobility, renewable energy, urban ecosystem protection, and circular economy strategies to improve environmental quality and public health.
Brief outline of the low carbon town development plan:
Mexico City’s low-carbon strategy focuses on:
• Expansion of sustainable public transport including BRT and metro systems
• Promotion of non-motorized transport such as cycling infrastructure
• Renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements in buildings
• Waste reduction and circular economy initiatives
• Urban greening and ecosystem restoration
• Water conservation and flood resilience programs
The program emphasizes cross-sector collaboration and community participation to support large-scale emission reductions.
Current stage of development of the town:
☐ Planning stage
☐ Construction stage
☒ Already existing
Start date of the project: Early climate strategy implementation began in the late 2000s with continuous program updates.
Completion date of the project: Long-term implementation aligned with national and city climate targets.
Low Carbon Measures
Does your low carbon town or development plan have CO2 emission reduction target?:
☒ Yes
☐ No
Key low carbon measures employed or to be employed
Urban functions
☒ Compact city design
☒ Heat island phenomenon countermeasures
☐ Efficient road arrangement plan
☐ Well-developed public transportation
☐ Car Sharing
☐ Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
☒ Plan for highly efficient infrastructure
☐ Other
Industry sector
☐ Factory energy management system
☐ Other
Transport sector
☒ Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
☐ Light Rail Transit (LRT)
☒ Intra-city community bicycle
☒ Electric vehicle
☐ Electric busses
☒ LED street lighting
☐ Other
Residential sector
☐ Fuel cells
☒ Low or zero emission houses
☐ Eco-friendly home appliances
☒ PV panel
☐ Solar heated water supply facilities
☐ Heat-pump hot water supply with natural refrigerant
☒ Use of natural light
☐ Low emission glass
☐ Home Energy Management System (HEMS)
☐ Thermal storage air conditioning system
☐ Other
Commercial sector
☒ Low or zero emission building
☒ High insulation/highly airtight materials
☐ Sun shading system
☐ High performance facade
☐ Low emission glass
☐ Double skin facade
☐ Roof greening
☐ Highly efficient air conditioning facilities
☒ LED/Inverter lighting
☐ Use of natural light
☒ Building Energy Management System (BEMS)
☐ Thermal storage air conditioning system
☐ Other
Other demand side measures:
Renewable energy
☒ PV power generation
☐ Solar thermal utilization
☐ Biomass power generation
☐ Wind power generation
☐ Geo-thermal power generation
☐ Micro-hydroelectric power generation
☐ Others
Untapped energy
☐ Use of sea/river water
☐ Use of waste heat such as waste incineration plants
☐ Use of waste heat such as sewage treatment plants
☐ Use of waste heat from factories
☐ Others
Other supply side measures:
Demand and supply side measures
☒ Advanced metering systems
☒ Smart grid system
☐ Electric condenser system
☒ Area Energy Management System
☐ Others
Estimated cost savings in implementing low-carbon measures: Break down by Activity/Sector, potential source, estimated savings – e.g.:
• Energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment reduce energy consumption and operational costs for households, businesses, and municipal facilities. Sustainable transportation reduces fuel consumption and air pollution-related health costs.
Estimated energy consumption before completion of the project:
• Baseline energy consumption reflects conventional urban energy demand before integrated climate policy implementation.
Estimated energy consumption after completion of the project:
• Energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are expected to decline significantly through renewable energy expansion, sustainable transport systems, and energy-efficient building improvements.
Project Management
What central/local government departments are/will be involved in development of the project?
• Mexico City Secretariat of the Environment — planning, implementation, monitoring
• Mexico City Government agencies — sectoral program implementation
• Federal Government of Mexico — policy coordination and funding support
What private company, non-governmental organizations are/will be involved in development of the project?
• Public transport operators and infrastructure providers — implementation
• Renewable energy developers and energy service companies — development and implementation
• Environmental NGOs and community groups — stakeholder engagement and public awareness
How is/will be the development of the town funded?
• Funding is supported through municipal and federal government budgets, international climate finance, private sector investment, and public-private partnerships.
Other relevant information, if any:
• Mexico City is recognized internationally for its large-scale sustainable mobility programs and air quality improvement initiatives, making it a key example of low-carbon transformation in megacities.