On June 3 2012 the National Climate Change Strategy (NCCS) – Vision 10-20-40 was published in the Federal Official Gazette. Providing guidelines and policies to address the effects of climate change in Mexico, it also seeks to promote an inclusive long-term environmental policy focused on green growth by aligning goals, institutions, programmes and resources for such purposes for the next 40 years.

The NCCS is a result of the goals set forth in the National Development Plan 2013-2018. It has also become a mandate contained in the General Law on Climate Change, which, among other provisions, includes a target to reduce emissions by up to 30% by 2020 and to 50% by 2050 with respect to the baseline levels reached in 2000.

In general terms, the NCCS provides:

  • broad analysis of the climate scenarios in the country;
  • assessment and diagnosis of the population's vulnerability to the effects of climate change;
  • diagnosis of the country's emissions levels and sources;
  • opportunities for mitigation;
  • technology transfer requirements; and
  • guidelines to implement the relevant measures for mitigation of and adaptation to the effects of climate change.

The main pillars of the climate change strategy and policy included in the NCCS are as follows:

  • implementing comprehensive and coordinated climate change policies and measures across the three levels of government;
  • creating and implementing economic, financial and fiscal mechanisms specifically for climate change purposes;
  • determining and promoting research, development and implementation of technologies and scientific investigations focused on climate matters;
  • promoting a climate-friendly culture;
  • facilitating social participation, transparency and access to information and justice;
  • developing relevant mechanisms for measurement, reporting and verification, monitoring and evaluation (as have been implemented in other countries); and
  • strengthening strategic cooperation and international leadership.

With regard to the specific goals and measures that will be undertaken for adaptation and mitigation purposes, the NCCS provides goals and policies with the purpose of:

  • reducing the vulnerability and increasing the resilience of the social sector towards climate change effects;
  • accelerating the transition towards clean energy sources and energy efficiency schemes;
  • making cities sustainable by promoting mobility systems, integrated waste management and low carbon infrastructure; and
  • improving and promoting better practices in the agricultural and forestry sectors for the preservation of natural resources.

For further information on this topic please contact Juan Francisco Torres Landa, Jorge Yanez, Brenda Rogel Salgado or Jeanett Trad Nacif at Barrera, Siqueiros y Torres Landa SC by telephone (+52 55 5091 0157), fax (+52 55 5091 0123) or email ([email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]).

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