The Mexican legislative power approves the reforms to the General Law on Climate Change (LGCC), which harmonize the law with the objectives established in the 2nd Article of the Paris Agreement. This action proves Mexico´s compromise to contribute to the global target of stabilizing the greenhouse gas emissions concentration in the planet.

On April 25, 2018 the Mexican Senate approved the reforms to the General Law on Climate Change (LGCC, for its Spanish acronym). These reforms take place in a relevant international context where it is necessary to harmonize the national legal framework with the precepts to which Mexico committed within the framework of the 21^st Conference of the Parties in Paris, France in 2016.

Given its leadership role on climate issues, Mexico made an important effort to update and harmonize the national legal framework with the commitments established in the Paris Agreement, related to global goals that seek to reduce GHG emissions to keep the rise in global temperature below 2 °C, through the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The amendments to the LGCC expand the scope of the Law, adjust and include new definitions, while adapting and modifying faculties of the national government. The reform establishes the principle of progressivity (Article 26) and respect for Human Rights, gender equality and intergenerational equity, with the aim of harmonizing the precepts of the Paris Agreement with the national legal framework (read more).

On the other hand, goals established in the NDCs  are included. These establish a GHG reduction of 22%. % by 2030, and if there are specific conditions regarding an international climate agreement and financial support, emissions can be reduced by up to 36%. Likewise, the NDC of Mexico establishes commitments in adaptation to climate change, which include increasing adaptation capacity to climate change in the social sector, adaptation based on ecosystems as well as adaptation of strategic infrastructure and productive systems.

Similarly, the Second Transitory Article establishes that in the first 10 months of the reforms’ entry into force, an Emissions Trading Pilot and an early warning system will be implemented, as well as the publication of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

The minute was approved with 84 votes in favor, zero votes against and one abstention. It was sent to the Mexican President, as required by the Mexican Constitution.