Mexico

As co-chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), which brings together 74 governments and thousands of civil society organizations, WRI worked with members to advance climate action and sustainable development. National, regional and local governments have made public commitments to accelerate climate action and sustainable development through citizen engagement, open data and fiscal transparency.

The Challenge

Failure to provide access to information on public spending and opportunities to engage in decision-making make it nearly impossible for the public to hold governments to account for progress on national climate goals or for effective use of government revenue from resources such as timber, mining and oil. Many governments are either unwilling to reform or lack the know-how to do so, undermining progress on the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

WRI's Role

Co-chairing the Open Government Partnership with France in 2016-17, WRI helped to design an OGP declaration with collective actions on climate and natural resources that helped frame national commitments, and provided technical assistance and circulated guidance to countries to develop them. WRI’s climate, forests and governance experts brought together civil society organizations to work closely with national governments, particularly in Latin America, to shape commitments that enhance transparency, participation and accountability on climate action and natural resources. WRI and its partners worked closely with Argentina and Costa Rica in developing their climate commitments and with Colombia, Liberia and Panama on their natural resource commitments.

WRI also helped pilot a subnational program in OGP to mobilize regional and local governments to develop and implement open government commitments. WRI teams in Brazil and Mexico partnered with NGOs and officials to create these commitments.

The Outcome

In 2016 and 2017, 13 governments committed to improve access to climate data, engage citizens in climate policymaking and transparently track climate finance; 12 governments made open government commitments on natural resources, including on land, forests and water.

Argentina, for example, committed to provide greenhouse gas inventories and maps of climate impacts on a public website, enabling citizens to participate in developing more effective, equitable climate policies and to hold officials accountable for meeting their climate commitments. On natural resources, Liberia pledged to place land records, contracts, community and customary land tenure data, and relevant laws and policies in the public domain, helping to prevent the abuse of power for private gain.

At the subnational level, the Brazilian cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and eight governments in Mexico announced reforms to deepen access to information and increase public consultation. After a successful pilot of its subnational program, OGP now plans to double its membership from 15 to 30.

WRI convened government, business associations, and civil society organizations in Mexico to develop a model energy conservation code for buildings, endorsed by the government, which cities nationwide can adapt and adopt. WRI and partners also worked with Mexico City to elevate efficiency in construction regulations. Both changes will help save energy and money and improve health.

The Challenge

Mexico is experiencing a boom in residential and commercial construction. Nonetheless, the country set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 22 percent below business as usual in 2030, while Mexico City aims for an even steeper cut of 30 percent below the 2000 level by 2020. Buildings account for nearly one-fifth of the nation’s energy consumption, so improving energy efficiency in buildings is central to achieving Mexico’s climate goals.

WRI’s Role

WRI helped launch and coordinates the Building Efficiency Accelerator (BEA), a global network of businesses, governments, and NGOs focused on rapidly increasing energy efficiency in buildings as part of the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative. WRI convenes the Mexico City BEA, which identified the need for a national model code for building efficiency. WRI secured funding for the work and selected CASEDI – a professional association promoting green buildings – to adapt the International Energy Conservation Code, in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, the National Commission for the Efficient Use of Energy (CONUEE), ALENER (an industry association promoting energy efficiency), the British Embassy, the Danish Energy Agency, and WRI. Through the BEA, WRI also facilitated dialogue with Mexico City’s Secretary for the Environment and mayor to advance the publication of construction regulations on energy efficiency.

The Outcome

In 2016, the Ministry of Energy endorsed the new Energy Conservation Code for Buildings in Mexico and issued a guidance document on how cities can adapt and adopt the model code into local regulations for new commercial and residential buildings. These comprehensive standards include guidance on energy efficiency in building materials and equipment and building elements such as windows, insulation, ventilation, and lighting.

Mexico City announced updated construction regulations with enhanced provisions for efficient lighting and water heating. In line with the new Energy Conservation Code, WRI and the BEA have helped to develop broader energy efficiency provisions for the city’s construction regulations. Once published, these will position Mexico City as a model in adapting and adopting the Code and contribute to the city’s climate goals, air quality, and economic competitiveness. WRI and the BEA are now also helping Guadalajara and Mérida to adapt and adopt the Code.