Climate protection in Mexican urban policy (CiClim)
Programme description
Title: Climate protection in Mexican urban policy
Commissioned by: Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI)
Country: Mexico
Partner organisations: Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU)
Lead executing agency: Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID)
Overall term: 2017 to 2021
Context
Today, 80 per cent of the Mexican population lives in cities. The development of these cities is increasingly affecting the quality of life of the citizens. Uncontrolled urban sprawl is exacerbating the loss of green spaces and traffic congestion, all resulting from an outdated approach to town planning. Cities are suffering from the consequences of climate change and are responsible for 70 per cent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-friendly urban planning is therefore of crucial importance for sustainable development in Mexico.
Objective
The Mexican Government improves the planning and implementation of strategies and measures to promote climate protection in urban policy. This mitigates the negative effects of climate change and improves the quality of life. Cities also contribute more to environmental and climate protection.
Approach
GIZ is working with the urban development ministry SEDATU, the environment ministry SEMARNAT and five local governments in Mérida, Hermosillo, Tlaquepaque, León and Morelia on improving urban planning. The programme provides support with planning and decision-making processes and encourages the exchange of experience, thereby improving cooperation between the three different levels of government.
The programme focuses on climate-friendly urban planning, preservation of urban ecosystem services and sustainable urban mobility.
CiClim specialises in implementing projects at municipal level and is geared to the needs of the government departments and society. The project is developing innovative models at local and national level for green and inclusive cities which offer a good quality of life, boast efficient transport systems, and are sparing in their use of resources.
Results
Green infrastructure can contribute to better urban planning which simultaneously counteracts climate change and harnesses the considerable potential available for the environment and society in cities.
Political, academic and private sector representatives as well as international experts met in Mexico City in March 2018 at the International Forum on Green Infrastructure and Climate Change where they exchanged views on relevant issues and successful flagship projects.
GIZ then joined forces with the urban development ministry and the environment ministry to draw up a roadmap for the development of green infrastructure in Mexican cities.