How Mexico City is Leading the Charge in Circular Economy and Climate Action

Julia Álvarez, the Minister of Environment in Mexico City, recently shared updates on the city’s environmental initiatives. Her first-year report focused on advancements in areas like circular economy, biodiversity, climate action, and urban sustainability.

Among the key highlights was the establishment of the Integrated Waste Management Agency (AGIR). This agency aims to streamline waste separation and enhance recycling efforts throughout the city. A new waste collection system is set to launch in January 2026. Álvarez noted that initiatives like Reciclatron and Mercado del Trueque were strengthened. Reciclatron alone collected over 280 tons of electronic waste at events involving 17,000 participants and 528 organizations.

The city also invested in its green infrastructure, with MX$35 million allocated to restore urban forests. The Green Blocks strategy targets 821 neighborhoods that lack green spaces, promoting restoration projects. In collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Services, the city is replacing unhealthy palm trees and planting 64 new native trees. An additional MX$20 million is earmarked for tree care and replacement.

Residents have embraced biodiversity, recording over 655,000 observations via the iNaturalist platform. This engagement led to the discovery of a new firefly species in Chapultepec Forest, named through a public vote honoring Maria Sabina, thanks to the “BioBlitz” project run by SEDEMA and UNAM.

To tackle climate issues, an Environmental Information System was created to manage environmental data efficiently. The Rain Harvest Program provided collection systems, solar heaters, and urban gardens to 7,000 households in Coyoacan and Tlalpan, enhancing water security and promoting energy savings.

Air quality in Mexico City showed improvement, with carbon monoxide levels down by 20% and nitrogen dioxide reduced by 8%. These efforts resulted in a 22% increase in clean air days across the Metropolitan Area. The city exceeded its CO₂ emissions reduction goals, lowering emissions by 2.3 million tons. The Ravines and Rivers Recovery Plan cleaned up 14 ravines, removing over 3,000 tons of trash with the help of 1,165 volunteers.

Additionally, SEDEMA processed more than 600 environmental impact statements and facilitated 4,700 performance reports through an updated digital platform, improving the efficiency of environmental regulation.

In its ongoing commitment to environmental leadership, Mexico City participated in 64 international events, forging partnerships across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Conservation efforts resulted in the recovery of 201 hectares of land, the protection of 479 hectares, and the thwarting of 215 illegal activities. The Forest of Water initiative distributed 10 million native plants to restore critical watersheds, while the Altépetl Bienestar program supported over 19,000 rural producers, improving hydro-agricultural infrastructure for around 4,000 farmers in areas like Milpa Alta and Xochimilco.

These initiatives demonstrate a significant shift towards sustainable living in Mexico City, positioning it as a model for other urban areas focused on environmental health and sustainability. As cities worldwide grapple with similar challenges, Mexico City’s approach could inspire further innovations in urban ecological management.



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ESG, environmental policy, Circular Economy, climate action, Biodiversity Conservation, urban sustainability, waste management, renewable energy, Air Quality, green infrastructure, sustainable development, Environmental Data, ecosystem restoration, water management, soil conservation, public policy, Animal Welfare, Agrodiversity, Ecotechnology, Urban Resilience, forest conservation, climate resilience, Environmental Governance, Community Participation, Environmental Education, Julia Álvarez Icaza Ramírez, Sedema, Mexico, Mexico City