Mexico Emerging as a Global Climate Change Leader Bernadette Hobson - The Hill
go to original December 22, 2016

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The recent ratification of Mexico’s Paris accord symbolizes its emergence as a leader among developing nations, but also a global leader and active participant in the development and implementation of international agreements to mitigate climate change. It also demonstrates Mexico’s position as a key partner in the advancement of North American energy integration, by proposing and committing to climate goals similar to the U.S. and Canada. Mexico’s ascent as a global leader to mitigate climate change challenges the narrowly held perception that it is a country impacted by drug cartels and violence – and, most recently a state filled with “drug dealers and rapists.”

Within the UNFCCC, Mexico is considered a leading voice among developing countries while also occupying membership to the OECD. In this unique space, Mexico draws on its position to help build consensus between developed and developing countries. In 2008, Mexico submitted a proposal for a World Climate Fund that resulted in the “Green Climate Fund” (GCF), which was signed at COP16 in Cancun in 2010.

It was also among the first countries in Latin America to pledge funds to the GCF. In 2010, Mexico hosted COP16 in Cancun where it was responsible for saving multilateral climate discussions following the recalcitrant negotiations from 2009 in Copenhagen. Additionally, despite its heavy reliance on oil exports, Mexico was the first to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

Therefore, the ratification of its Paris accord reaffirms the country’s leaders are committed to protecting its citizens and its economy from the impacts of climate change. It means that Mexico’s INDCs are no longer “intended,” but rather formal goals that will need to be achieved as part of the Paris Agreement.

With the ratification of its Paris accord, Mexico will work to better the adaptive capacity of 160 of its most vulnerable communities, increase the resilience of strategic infrastructure of the country and its ecosystems, achieve a rate of 0% deforestation, and disengage economic growth from the emission of greenhouse gases.

Given this, Mexico should engage with its U.S. colleagues at NOAA to develop and implement the early warning systems needed to protect its most vulnerable communities from extreme weather conditions. By collaborating with NOAA, Mexico will enhance adaptation capabilities to help reduce the impact of climate change on its most vulnerable communities.

Read the rest at The Hill

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