Mexico’s green dream may be in danger

TEPIC (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Mexico’s president-elect, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, will have a better chance of slashing poverty and inequality if he weaves a strong green thread through his policies, analysts say.

But despite high hopes the environment will be a top priority for his government, some fear plans to boost energy security by revitalising Mexico’s petroleum industry sit uncomfortably with pledges on climate change and biodiversity.

“If they achieve everything they say, in six years Mexico will be in a very strong position regarding environmental protection,” Gustavo Ampugnani, Mexico director for conservation group Greenpeace, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

“It’s the chance to see environment and climate themes intersecting with other policies, not divided off as happened in the previous governments.”

Lopez Obrador – a former mayor of Mexico City, known by his initials, AMLO – swept to victory on July 1, vowing to tackle corruption, violence and inequality in a bid to “transform” the Latin American country where over 40 percent live in poverty.

Outlining its environmental strategy before the poll, his party said it would prioritise communities as it seeks to improve water quality and access, while strengthening climate change action and promoting sustainable cities and biodiversity.

However, experts say steps to slash planet-warming carbon emissions, reduce deadly air pollution and push greener public transport are at odds with the new president’s intention to reinvigorate the petroleum industry.

Seeking to curb massive fossil fuel imports from the United States, Lopez Obrador wants to prioritise domestic crude oil production – which has fallen since 2004 – while building one or two refineries during his term, which begins on December 1.

Andres Flores Montalvo, climate change director for the World Resources Institute Mexico, a think tank, said Mexico had high potential for cleaner energy sources.

“That can help a lot in achieving the main goal which is energy self-supply – with many other benefits,” he said.

Mexico has a target of producing 35 percent of electricity from clean sources by 2024, compared to just over a fifth today.

Fighting poverty and climate change are closely linked, Mr Flores added.

“The more developed you are as a society, the more you are resilient to climate impacts,” he said.

Incoming environment minister, Josefa Gonzalez-Blanco Ortiz-Mena drew up the green strategy for AMLO’s party, the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA).

The ardent environmentalist runs an eco-park in the south of Mexico that integrates animals back into the wild. Her office said she was not available for interview.

Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has seen its budget cut by a third since the current president, Enrique Pena Nieto, came to power.

MORENA wants to rewrite a law it says prioritises water concessions for industry over households.

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