Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for Environment, Ed Miliband the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and the Mexican Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, Juan Elvira Quesado, have signed a commitment on sustainable development and climate change as part of a successful partnership between Mexico and the UK.
The Ministers met yesterday and today as part of a state visit by the Mexican President to the UK. They discussed progress under the previous sustainable development partnership programme, which began in 2006, and outlined future priorities under the new UK-Mexico programme which will last until 2010.
The Ministers agreed there had been good progress on climate change and reducing emissions, sustainable consumption and production, and natural resource management but they agreed we needed to step up our efforts to ensure we forge a sustainable future and avoid damaging climate change.
One of the successful projects has been reducing the emissions from Mexico City's transport. This has led to the development of a "zero emissions corridor" along one of Mexico's busiest roads. The UK has also shared best practice and helped Mexico carry out its own Stern Report to look at the economic impacts of climate change.
Mexico will be hosting World Environment Day in June and has committed to a reduce its carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2050. It hopes to build on the successful partnership with the UK so far. Priorities for the future of the programme include feeding sustainable objectives into broader UK and Mexican policy-making. There are currently 13 sustainable development projects already running as a result of the 2006 programme.
Hilary Benn said:
"Working with another country to share what each of us has learned about sustainability is very important in the global fight against climate change and in combating the depletion of the world's resources.
"I am very pleased that we can sign this memorandum today and that we are making great steps towards a more sustainable future. This will benefit everyone in all countries through a healthier planet."
Ed Miliband said:
"The UK and Mexico have a shared ambition to tackle climate change by cutting carbon emissions. The signing of the memorandum is a signal that our two countries will be working hard to secure a meaningful global deal at Copenhagen at the end of the year. All countries will feel the impact of dangerous climate change and I am very pleased the UK is contributing to the important work Mexico is doing."
Minster Quesado said:
"Cooperation with the UK has really helped to push Mexico's sustainable development and climate change policy forward.
"We will continue strengthening this cooperation for the benefit of both parties and will transfer our experience to other regions."
Other projects developed between the UK and Mexico are:
- Developing a Mexican Standard on Environmental Requirements and Specifications for the selection of the site, design, building and operation of tourism building developments
- In the state of Nuevo Leon, a project to support the closure of municipal dumps. To date, 14 dumps out of the 22 originally identified have been closed. The impact has reduced methane emissions by 25,000 tonnes of carbon equivalent, which will increase to 34,000 tonnes of carbon equivalent when all 22 are finally closed.
- Improved resource efficiency through the Industrial Symbiosis Project, which has already diverted 1,260 tons/year from landfill, removed of 21,000 tonnes/year of carbon dioxide, given economic benefits of over £50,00 and created 39 new jobs
- UK and Mexico have collaborated on sustainable chemical management regime to improve industrial decision making and regulation. Other Latin American countries interested in using this model.
- The UK has helped Mexico's National Forestry Commission to develop a regional conservation and restoration plan for mangroves which will preserve and restore natural habitats for biodiversity and protect the livelihoods of those who depend on them.
|
If you like this article and want to share it with friends, please use the social links below:
|
Back