Policies in Mexico:
Mexico: City driver requirements
In major urban centers, private car drivers are required to have catalytic converters or refrain from driving one day a week ("Hoy no circula").
Status: In Force; Mandatory
References: EIA Mexico’s Environmental Issues, http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/mexenv.html
Mexico: Daylight Savings
Implementing Daylight Savings reduces the demand for electricity by ‘daylight’ hours align more with the actual hours of daylight. This measure, giving an extra hour of daylight at the day’s end, when energy consumption is high, was estimated to save Mexico two million barrels of oil a day because of the increase in daylight.
Date Implemented: 1996
Status: In Force; Mandatory
References: ‘Advances with Regard to Climate Change’
Mexico: Ley Federal para Prevenir y Controlar la Contaminación Ambiental (Federal Law for the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution)
Three sets of regulations were enacted to implement this Law: regulations to prevent and control atmospheric pollution caused by dust and smoke; regulations to control water pollution; and regulations to prevent and control pollution of the sea.
Date Implemented: 1971
Status: In Force; Framework policy
References: http://www.natlaw.com/pubs/spmxen13.htm
Mexico: Freight vehicle renewal programme
Payments to replace old, inefficient freight vehicles available to 2007
Date Implemented: 2003
Status: In Force; Voluntary
References: ECMT Env Group 19 May 2005
http://www.iea.org/textbase/pamsdb/detail.aspx?mode=weo&id=3222
Mexico: General Law for Sustainable Forest Development
To contribute to the social, economic, ecological, and environmental development of the country, through the sustainable management of forest resources; to encourage the use of forest resources in such a way that will ensure the improvement of the Mexicans’ standard of living; to develop environmental goods and services and to protect, maintain and increase the biodiversity offered by forest resources; to respect the right to the preferential use and enjoyment of forest resources of the places occupied and inhabited by indigenous communities.
Date Implemented: 2002
References: ‘Advances with Regard to Climate Change’
Mexico: Grid- Connected Solar
The Global Environmen Facility (GEF) together with the UNDP is helping to fund a project that will help create more photovoltaic systems integrated into the power grid. This is aimed to reduce the strain during peak months when capacity is limited and prices are high.
Date Implemented: 2007
Status: Proposed
Funding Information: $1,000,000 GEF grant to support the project
References: GEF-
http://www.thegef.org/uploadedFiles/Documents/Medium-SizedProjectProposals/MexicoGrid-ConnectedPhotovoltaic.pdf
Mexico: Grid- Connected Wind Power
Mexico is constructing La Venta II Wind Farm in Oaxaca which will generate power for the national grid. The project will also facilitate technology and skills transfer for the wind power sector.
Date Implemented: 2007
Funding Information: support from World Bank Carbon Financing Unit
Targets: Installed capacity and estimated yearly average generation will be 83.3 MW and and 307,728 MWh. This is expected to displace 205,380 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
References: http://carbonfinance.org/Router.cfm?Page=Projport&ProjID=31086
Mexico: Initiative of Law for the Use of Renewable Sources of Energy (LAFRE)
Establishes the creation of a Program for the Use of Renewable Energy Sources of Energy. A minimum percentage of 8% in renewable energy contribution to total energy generation is established as a goal for 2012. This goal does not include big hydroelectric plants. SENER will develop and coordinate the implementation of the Program for the Use of RenewableEnergy Sources of Energy. The law establishes, among other things, that payments to private generators for the energy delivered to the National Electric System shall reflect the operation costs avoided by the suppliers through the operation of the generation projects. As well, the National Electric System shall accept electricity from renewable energy sources at any time it is produced.
Date Implemented: 2003
Status: Planned; Framework Policy
Funding Information: To achieve the goals it is deemed necessary to channel approximately 600 million pesos per year (equivalent to 55 million USD; at 2005 value) in order to grant incentives to foster public and private investment for the development and operation of RE electricity projects for public service, using competitive technologies. It is also necessary to provide additional resources (in the order of 400 million pesos per year approximately equivalent to 37 million USD) to promote other, less mature technologies, yet considered strategic for Mexico (electric and non electric applications), as well as to foster national research and technological development, as well as social development and economic growth in less advanced regions and population sectors. With regards to the trust fund, it establishes that federal resources will be used in the following way over the first year of operation: 55% for the “Green Fund”, to foster the use of RE mature technologies (electrical applications). 6% for the “Emergent Technologies Fund” (electrical applications). 10% for the “Rural Electrification Fund”. 7% for the “Biofuels Fund”. 7% for the “General RE Fund” (for non-electrical applications). 15% for the “Research and Technological Development Fund (FIDTER for its acronym in Spanish)”. At least 20% of FIDTER resources will be granted to assess national RE potentials.
References: http://www.conae.gob.mx/work/sites/CONAE/resources/LocalContent/4427/4/s...
http://www.ren21.net/iap/commitment2.asp?id=95
Mexico: Initiative of modification of the Income Tax Law
Proposes a fiscal incentive that promotes investment and use of RE in the residential sector, and consists in a fiscal credit of 30% to the investment in RE electricity generation equipment.
References:
http://www.conae.gob.mx/work/sites/CONAE/resources/LocalContent/4427/4/s...
Mexico: Initiative to modify the Federal Rights Law
Intends that fossil fuels pay a right based on the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emitted during their combustion, penalizing their consumption under “the polluter pays principle”. For liquid fuels, it proposes rights of 0.52¢ to 0.97¢ peso per liter and a greater tax for solid fuels. For natural gas, it proposes rights of 19.7¢ of weight per thousand cubic feet. Income generated will be destined to the promotion of RE.
References:
http://www.conae.gob.mx/work/sites/CONAE/resources/LocalContent/4427/4/s...Mexico: La Comisión Nacional para el Ahorro de Energía (CONAE)
The CONAE was created with the intention of functioning as technical organ of consultation. The most important functions of the CONAE are to promote action plans for efficient use of energy; to promote renewable energies; to coordinate actions of saving and rational use of energy; to prepare, to coordinate and to evaluate the national programs of energy saving; to promote and to foment studies related to the use of energy; to support the investigation, development and diffusion of technologies for the efficient use of energy; to develop Mexican Official Norms of efficient use of energy; and to supply technical assistance. The CONAE has established diverse programs, including: heat installation programs, program for saving energy in domestic illumination, obligatory norms for power efficiency, a summer schedule, a program for saving energy in Federal public administrative buildings (’99), a campaign of saving energy/energy efficiency in the petroleum sector, cogeneration in the electrical sector, and programs for the promotion of renewables.
Date Implemented: 1989
Status: In Force; Commission in charge of programs
Funding Information: Commission was set up with World Bank resources
Milestones: From 1995 to 2002, 9,120 GWh, 1,561 MW and 8.3 MMBOE accumulated saving was obtained in electrical energy, power and thermal energy respectively. An accumulated saving of 16,065 GWh, 2,926 MW and 10.6 MMBOE for these items is expected for 2006 (CONAE).
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC; Advances with Regard to Climate Change
Mexico: Law for the Development and Promotion of Bioenergy
This Law promotes the production of ethanol and other biofuels, as a means to foster the national agroindustry, diversify energy supply and achieve sustainable development.
Status: Planned
References: http://www.conae.gob.mx/work/sites/CONAE/resources/LocalContent/4427/4/s...
Mexico: Ley Agricola y Forestal del Estado de Mexico/Reglamento de la Ley Forestal
Regulates the administration and handling of the forest resources, as well as the promotion of forest activity. The main thrust of the legislation is to promote more efficient use of forest resources. The government will sponsor studies to evaluate environmental damage and the measures necessary to rectify the situation. It will implement the necessary means to regulate the improvement, conservation, restoration and rational use of the natural resources destined to agricultural and forest activities. It also will divide into zones in order to facilitate planning of the use of forest resources in a more sustainable manner. The regulation also includes measures to prevent and combat forest fires.
Date Implemented: 1996/1998
Status: In Force
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC;
http://www.edomexico.gob.mx/legistel/cnt/LeyEst_011.html
Mexico: Ley General del Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente (LGEEPA)
First comprehensive environmental legislation. (In 1996, it was amended to include sustainable development as a priority for the Mexican government.) The original legislation included measures for the protection of natural areas; exploitation of natural elements, including land and water; and protection of the environment, including atmospheric contamination, water and soil contamination, hazardous activities and waste, nuclear energy and other forms of pollution. LGEEPA also sets forth control and safety measures, penalties for non-compliance, guidelines for environmental impact statements and risk assessment. Additionally, LGEEPA addresses matters of jurisdiction, ecological zoning, and enforcement. It requires Federal, State and local authorities to develop, within their respective jurisdiction, sound policies that include economic, financial, tax and market schemes that must identify as high-priority those activities related to "the research and implementation of energy-saving mechanisms and use of reduced contamination energy sources".
Date Implemented: 1988
Status: In Force; Mandatory
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC; EIA Mexico’s Environmental Issues
http://www.maquilaportal.com/public/artic/artic332e.htm
Mexico: Mexico Renewable Energy Program
The objective of the Mexico Renewable Energy Program is to promote the appropriate and sustainable use of renewable energy technologies in Mexico, in order to: (1) Increase the quality and to reduce the costs of renewable energy technologies (components, systems, and services) by expanding markets for, and providing feedback to, the U.S. and Mexican renewable energy industry; (2) Increase the use of clean energy sources to combat global climate change (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and to protect our natural environment by limiting pollution; and (3) Increase the economic, social, and health standards in rural, off-grid households and communities by utilizing renewable energy systems for productive applications . The Mexico Renewable Energy Program focuses on the use of renewable energy technologies, particularly photovoltaics and small wind electric systems, for rural, off-grid productive applications. Productive applications are those that provide an economic benefit to the user of the technology, thus providing a financial means to purchase and maintain the renewable energy system. Such applications make the use of the technology more sustainable and replicable. The use of renewable energy systems in rural off-grid applications are often the most cost-effective way to provide electricity. The program also supports applications that are aimed at providing social, health, and/or educational benefits to the user.
Date Implemented: 1994-2004
Status: Ended; Voluntary
References: http://www.iea.org/textbase/pamsdb/detail.aspx?mode=weo&id=3213
Mexico: NADF-008-AMBT-2005
Esta Norma Ambiental tiene por objeto establecer los criterios para el aprovechamiento de la energía solar en el calentamiento de agua; los requerimientos mínimos de calidad; las especificaciones técnicas de instalación, funcionamiento y mantenimiento de los sistemas para calentamiento de agua por medio del aprovechamiento de la energía solar; y se aplica a establecimientos que inicien operaciones a partir del día siguiente de la publicación de la presente norma y a establecimientos que realicen la remodelación total de sus instalaciones en el Distrito Federal, que requieran agua caliente para realizar sus actividades.
Date Implemented: 2006
Status: In Force
References:http://www.conae.gob.mx/work/sites/CONAE/resources/LocalContent/4427/4/sp-en-energias-renovables-mexico-2006.pdf
Mexico: National Award for Electrical Energy Saving
Publically recognizing those institutions and companies that have stood out in their efforts to conserve energy or increase efficiency during the previous year .
Date Implemented: 1991
Status: In Force; Voluntary
References: ‘Advances with Regard to Climate Change’
Mexico: National Commission for Energy Saving (CONAE):
CONAE/ Ministry of Energy estimates that the savings in natural gas demand in the power generation (energy) sector will be approximately 5.33% in 2003, 5.24% in 2007 and decrease from that year onwards to reach a low of 3.61% in 2012 for intermediate years and the savings in fossil fuel demand in the transport sector as a result of energy efficiency measures will be approximately 0.04% in 2003 and reach 0.08% by 2012 for intermediate years.
Status: In Force; Mandatory
References: Prospectiva del mercado de gas natural 2003-2012
http://www.iea.org/textbase/pamsdb/detail.aspx?mode=weo&id=3210
Mexico: Official Mexican Norms (NOM) to determine the thermal performance and functionality of solar heaters
Programme to promote the sale of solar powered water heaters in the Mexican Residential Sector, demonstrate that is a viable and pollution-reducing option for heating water in Mexican households.
Date Implemented: 2002
Status: Government Initiative
References: http://www.iea.org/textbase/pamsdb/detail.aspx?mode=weo&id=3212
Mexico: Official Mexican Norms (NOM) for solar heaters
NOM for solar heaters, with the goal of setting up criteria for the use of solar energy in new establishments and remodeling in Mexico City, that require hot water for productive uses. This NOM establishes that at least 30% of the annual energy consumption needs to come from solar heating systems.
Date Implemented: 2002
Status: In Force
References:
http://www.conae.gob.mx/work/sites/CONAE/resources/LocalContent/4427/4/s...
Mexico: Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2001-2006
The strategy includes: a) Promote the sustainable use of the natural resources, specially the efficiency in the use of the water and the energy. b) Promote an integrated and decentralized environmental management. c) Support the scientific research and the technological innovation, like the adoption of productive processes and clean technologies, to support the sustainable development of the country d) Promote processes of education, qualification, communication and fortification of the citizen participation relative to the protection of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources. e) Improve the environmental performance of the federal public administration. f) Continue in the design and the implementation of the national strategy for the sustainable development. g) Advance in the mitigation of the emissions.
Date Implemented: 2001-2006
Status: Framework Policy
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC
Mexico: Program to Improve the Air Quality in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (PROAIRE)
Includes more than 80 measures that affect transportation, industry, the service sector, natural resources, health, and education. It focuses on the reduction of ozone and particulate matter, and emphasizes environmental education and citizen participation.
Date Implemented: 2002-2010
Status: In Force; Government Initiative
References: http://www.epa.gov/integenv/documents/mexico/iesmexicofact5088-10-06.pdf
http://mce2.org/education/posters_eng/posters14.pdf
Mexico: Programa de Ahorro de Energía del Sector Eléctrico (PAESE)
This program includes accelerating the process of construction and entrance in operation of new electrical power stations; changing some concepts in the Law of the Public Service of Electrical Energy in order to allow private sector participation in electricity generation; and the establishment of energy saving as an objective.
Date Implemented: 1989
Status: In Force; Mandatory
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC
Mexico: Programa de Incentivos y Desarrollo de Mercado
This program includes four specific projects: granting economic incentives to commercial and industrial companies to purchase high efficiency motors, lighting system units and compressors; establishing financing schemes for the development and execution of projects for energy savings; developing schemes in power services that not only provide technical support but also financing to energy saving projects.
Status: In Force
Funding Information: $23.4 millon loan from the Inter-American Devlopment Bank
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC
Mexico: Programa Forestal y de Suelos
To guarantee the conservation of the forest resources and the grounds, to counteract the structural problems of soil deterioration, to stop the process of soil degradation and to repair the damage done, to promote private sector participation in Mexico’s economic development, to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of farm communities, and to precipitate the incorporation of the concept of sustainability into the use of natural resources. The program includes sub-programs such as, the forest development program, the reforestation program, and the program of commercial forest plantations.
Date Implemented: 1995-2000
Status: Ended; Framework policy
References: http://www.unccd.int/cop/reports/lac/national/2000/mexico-spa.pdf
Mexico: Programa de la Defensa de la Frontera Forestal
Part of the Programa Forestal y de Suelos 1995-2000, this policy aims at incorporating the concept of sustainability in the farming and forestry sectors. It promotes the incorporation of marginally productive farm lands so that it can be reincorporated for forest or agroforest use in order to reduce the expansion of the farming activities in the forest zones and promote sustainability in farming and forest productive activities
Status: In Force; Voluntary
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC
Mexico: Programa Nacional de Reforestacion (PRONARE)
This program, since incorperated into SEMERNAT, is responsible for productive reconversion, restoration of river basins, and promotion and rescue of threatened species of flora.
Date Implemented: 1993
Status: In Force
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC
Mexico: Programa para el Desarrollo de Plantaciones Forestales Comerciales (PRODEPLAN)
Promoting commercial forest plantations, granting direct incentives of up to 65% of the establishment costs and maintenance of projects of commercial forest plantations over seven years.
Date Implemented: 1997
Status: In Force; Voluntary
Targets: 875 thousand hectares of commercial forest plantation
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC
Mexico: Programa para el Desarrollo Forestal (PRODEFOR)
Supports the promotion of productivity and sustainable management of the natural forest, in order to improve the quality of life in communities and the diversified use of ecosystems.
Date Implemented: 1997
Status: In Force; Voluntary
Targets: By 2004, the program had already executed more than 22,000 projects throughout Mexico
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCC; http://www.un.org/esa/forests/pdf/national_reports/unff4/mexico.pdf
Mexico: Programma de Normalización Ambiental Industrial
Implementation of standards and norms for water, atmosphere, environmental impact and natural resource use. Intense efforts of verification and inspection that assist companies in complying with these regulations.
Date Implemented: 1997-2001
Status: Ended; Mandatory
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC
Mexico: Project of Special Law on Production and Services
Proposes to establish a special tax of 0.5% to the electricity imports. The resources collected will be assigned to promote RE electricity generation.
References:
http://www.conae.gob.mx/work/sites/CONAE/resources/LocalContent/4427/4/s...
Mexico: Renewable Energy Initiative
Increase the use of renewable energies by promoting investment and marketing in green energy, power generation, and R&D.
Status: In Force
Funding Information: The Federal Government shall finance public works to help advance in the fulfillment of the program goals. The private sector and local governments will be encouraged to play an important role in the investment of self supply and/or independent power production projects. The Mexican Government shall capitalize grants from Multilateral Organizations (GEF) of 80+ million dollars to: 1) supply temporary incentives for electricity generation through large scale renewable energy projects, 2) to foster research, technological development, and capacity building on renewable technologies. Additional funding will be capitalized through the trading of CO2eq emission reductions in the international carbon markets.
Targets:
Increase of the
installed capacity of RE for electricity generation in 40% (4000 MW) by
2014. A wind technology research center built and operating.
References: http://www.ren21.net/iap/commitment.asp?id=95
Mexico: Sectorial Program of Energy 2001-2006 (PSE)
Mandates the incorporation of at least 1,000 MW of renewable energy sources to the installed electricity generation capacity by the year 2006 (excluding large hydropower plants planned by the Federal Government through the Federal Electricity Commission). In order to achieve this goal, the PSE proposes the establishment of necessary actions that allow private and public sectors to participate in the development of new renewable energy projects, including the following technologies: solar, wind, geothermal, small hydropower, biomass and biogas, among others.
Date Implemented: 2001-2006
Status: Framework Policy; Ended
Funding Information: To achieve the goal proposed in the PSE, it is necessary to use different financial mechanisms such as those developed jointly by the Federal Government and the Global Environment Fund (GEF), the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). These mechanisms are required to foster the development and use of renewable energy sources in the country.
References: http://www.conae.gob.mx/work/sites/CONAE/resources/LocalContent/4427/4/s...
Mexico: Sistema Integrado de Regulación Directa y Gestión Ambiental de la Industria (SIRG)
Based on a strategy of modernization of the environmental regulation, it is a juridical framework for the industrial sector that aims to make care for the environment compatible with success in the marketplace. Its intention is to promote efficiency in the operation and administration while promoting the incorporation of the environmental management. It combines regulatory measures with the voluntary aspects to induce the development of useful management schemes for the companies that fall within its scope. It provides economic incentives for bringing emissions below the mandatory levels, and aims to make environmental information more readily accessible. It includes la Licencia Ambiental Única (LAU), la Cédula de Operación Anual (COA) y el Programa Voluntario de Gestión Ambiental (PVG).
Date Implemented: 1998
Status: In Force; Voluntary
References: 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC; UN Agenda 21- Mexico,
http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/mexico/eco.htm
Mexico: Strategic Gas Plan
Pemex laid out several objectives to achieve its goal 1) increase natural gas production through multiple service contracts (MSCs); 2) diversify natural gas supply sources from abroad and increase imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG); 3) flare less associated natural gas; 4) expand natural gas transport, distribution, and storage facilities; and 5) allocate more funding to exploration to increase proven reserves.
Date Implemented: 2000
Status: In Force; Mandatory
Targets: The Strategic Gas Plan sets 8 Bcf/d as a goal for domestic natural gas production by 2008.
References: EIA Mexico Country Analysis Brief, http://www.eia.doe.gov/cabs/mexico.html
Mexico: Website to determine wheeling charges
To allow the transparency in the application of the wheeling methodology in the Mexican electrical system, reduce service costs, and grant a better service to the users, the Energy Regulatory Commission of the Ministry of Energy of Mexico (CRE) requested the technical services of the Electric Research Institute of Mexico (Institute de Investigaciones Electricas IIE) to develop a Web site for wheeling charges. This Internet-based wheeling charge calculation tool is used to quote transmission services and allows potential investors to study different options for a possible service and select the most convenient one for them, without having to deal directly with the service suppliers, reducing time, costs and improving efficiency.
Date Implemented: 2004
References: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?tp=&arnumber=1397463&isnu...
http://www.iea.org/Textbase/pm/?mode=re&id=2258&action=detail
Mexico: Wind energy promotion
In Mexico, a UNDP-GEF project expects to reduce national carbon dioxide emissions by 4 million tonnes per year by promoting the development of a commercial wind energy market with an installed capacity of 2000 megawatts by 2015. Succeeding in this effort will require education campaigns for government officials, hands-on technical training for engineers, and pre-feasibility studies of the country’s most promising wind energy sites.
Date Implemented: 2004
Status: In Force
Funding Information: $4.7 million UNDP/ GEF project
Targets: 2000 megawatts installed by 2015
References: UNDP
http://www.undp.org/gef/05/documents/publications/climatechangebrochure2004.pdf