Mexico City Strengthened Climate and Biodiversity Commitments with Nature-Based Solutions

Mexico City’s Ministry of Environment (SEDEMA) advanced its sustainability agenda by hosting the third workshop in its participatory process to update the Climate Action Program (PACCM) and the Air Quality Management Program (ProAire) for 2025-2030.

The session placed a strong emphasis on nature-based solutions, including urban and rural revegetation, river restoration, and the rehabilitation of water bodies. The initiative aimed to align climate action with biodiversity conservation while integrating environmental and public health strategies.

The workshop brought together around 150 participants, spanning city and federal agencies, borough governments, academia, civil society, international cooperation organizations, and the private sector. Experts underscored how nature-based approaches not only mitigate carbon emissions but also deliver co-benefits such as cleaner air, enhanced public health, and resilience against floods and extreme temperatures.

SEDEMA officials highlighted Mexico City’s unique biodiversity - hosting 12% of the nation’s and 2% of the world’s total species - and reaffirmed commitments to expand green spaces through pollinator gardens, urban orchards, and community-driven green block programs.

Updates also included the harmonization of PACCM, ProAire, and the Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity (ECUSBE) to set higher decarbonization targets, improve adaptation policies, and secure active participation from both the public and private sectors.

Progress was also reported on restoring 1,150 hectares of conservation land, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, and implementing updated air quality measures for the Valley of Mexico Metropolitan Zone. The event closed with working group sessions to define priority actions for conservation areas, green infrastructure, and sustainable agricultural systems - reinforcing the city’s vision of a greener, more resilient urban future.

Mexico City's NBS commitments are quietly becoming the template for what urban biodiversity strategy looks like across Latin American cities - and they raise disclosure expectations for corporates operating locally. Our nature-based-solutions and impact-assessment teams help clients evaluate urban-nature engagement opportunities and align disclosure with the evolving frameworks.