Environmental protection and climate action Sustainable use of natural resources

One of Mexico’s biggest problems is increasing environmental degradation. Urbanisation, the use of large areas of land for crop and livestock farming, and extensive logging are threatening the country’s huge biodiversity.

Air pollution is severe, especially in major cities, for instance the capital, Mexico City. Although modern environmental laws are in place, they are not consistently implemented because there is a widespread lack of awareness among the population and the authorities.

The country's national development plan for 2019 to 2024, identifies sustainable development as indispensable for the wellbeing of the Mexican people. In 2015, Mexico became the first emerging economy to present a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid in December 2019, Mexico announced a very moderate increase in NDC ambitions for COP26.

back to the overview page on Mexico