During his visit to Mexico, US Special Presidential Envoy John Kerry and Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard announced on October 19 an important step forward in the bilateral relations between the United States and Mexico on measures to address the climate crisis.
Mexico and the US will work together to combat climate change ahead of the upcoming climate conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow.
The two countries recognize the importance of global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and share the view that the 2020s are a decisive decade for climate action, the Mexican – US Engagement on Climate Change said in a joint statement.
Mexican President Lopez Obrador and cabinet ministers warmly welcomed Kerry for a day-long visit to Palenque in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, including a formal exchange of views and an informal introduction to the region, including its people and history.
During the visit, Obrador shared his decision to begin a structured transition toward the greening of Mexico’s energy sector and the strengthening of its energy independence.
Kerry indicated that the United States would support efforts to catalyze finance and technology, and both countries underscored the importance of strengthening North American relations, with an accelerated clean energy transition this decade to address the climate crisis including with Canada, the statement read.
Obrador shared Mexico’s plans, including to cooperate closely with the US to accelerate Mexico’s deployment of renewable energy, including wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric power, as a major step in Mexico’s commitment to strengthen the ambition of its Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement next year.
The two countries will explore other opportunities to enhance ambition, including increasing energy efficiency, tackling methane emissions, and greening transportation. Mexico previously announced its support for the Global Methane Pledge, and both countries recognize the critical importance of rapidly reducing methane emissions, the joint statement read.
Obrador introduced Kerry to Sembrando Vida, a multi-state initiative Mexico has undertaken to plant trees, support the goal to eliminate deforestation, create sustainable jobs in the agricultural sector, and create opportunities for would-be migrants in their communities of origin.
In Palenque, Kerry, accompanied by Obrador, witnessed the progress and results of the “Sowing Life” program, one of the green projects that has attracted the most attention from the world. Mexico has invested $1.3 billion of its own resources in the project, making it the most important global project for reforestation and for entire ecosystems, said the Foreign Secretary.
The US and Mexico said the countries are committed to working together to enhance the climate benefits of this initiative and to promote nature-based solutions to climate, conservation, and development.
At a press conference led by Obrador on October 19, Ebrard said that the US and Mexico share environmental goals thanks to their close relationship, which also respects and takes into account the possibilities of each, and Mexico’s decisions.
Ebrard said that our country was one of the first to support the initiative promoted by Kerry. Mexico will step up its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mainly methane, as this gas has a global warming potential up to 34 times that of other gases.
He also commented that Mexico and the US will be able to jointly develop new initiatives and seek financing for a green economy, given that it creates new sustainable sectors in the economy.
