Mexico follows UK and Scotland to enact climate law

The new law commits Mexico to cutting its emissions by 50 per cent by 2050 with international support and to generate 35 per cent of electricity from clean sources by 2024. Importantly, the law covers emissions from deforestation and degradation– the third largest greenhouse gas emissions in the country – and the adaptation of people and ecosystems to climate change. It also commits to a phasing-out of fossil subsidies and to make renewables competitive. 

Environmental group, WWF, today welcomed Mexico’s decision and said it proved that the UK and Scotland’s Climate Change Acts were a force for action elsewhere. 

"This news from Mexico shows once again the global significance of the UK and Scottish Climate Change Acts. The UK has taken a bold lead on this issue and other countries are now following us," Keith Allott, head of climate change, WWF-UK said.

The UK passed the world’s first climate change legislation in 2008, whcih set a target to reduce its emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. And in 2009, the Scottish Parliament backed the world’s strongest legislation to tackle climate change after voting to cut the nation's CO2 emissions by 42 per cent by 2020.

Other countries, such as Denmark and Norway, are expected to pass their own climate legislation soon. 

Commenting on Mexico's new law, Vanessa Pérez-Cirera, climate director at WWF-Mexico, said: "We are proud of Mexico's legislators from all political parties that looked beyond their party’s interests into the common interest of the Mexicans and Mexico's responsibilities to the world. In the coming six months, legislators must work hard to ensure the most robust regulation for the adequate implementation of the law."