Efforts Intensify to Reduce the Carbon Footprint

In recent years, Mexico and the United States have implemented various urban policies focused on reducing the carbon footprint, highlighting initiatives for reforestation and the promotion of clean transportation. These efforts have shown significant progress between 2023 and 2024, although challenges remain for their consolidation in 2025.

Mexico has prioritized reforestation as a key strategy to mitigate climate change. The "Sembrando Vida" program has been emblematic, achieving the reforestation of one million hectares with 1.1 billion trees planted by 2024. This effort has not only contributed to carbon capture but has also benefited rural communities by providing employment and improving food security.

Regarding clean transportation, Mexico has launched railway projects such as the Mexico-Querétaro Train, whose construction began in April 2025. This passenger train will cover 225 kilometers in approximately one hour and 40 minutes, offering a sustainable alternative to road transport and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The United States, on the other hand, has implemented stricter regulations to reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. In 2023, methane emissions in the Permian Basin decreased by 26% due to producers' efforts to locate and repair leaks, in response to measures implemented by President Joe Biden’s administration.

Additionally, the United States achieved a 2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. However, this pace is insufficient to reach the goal of halving emissions by 2030, indicating the need to intensify actions in key sectors such as transportation and energy.

Challenges and Perspectives for 2025

Despite the progress, the effective implementation of these policies faces complexities in 2025:

1. Insufficient Funding: Mexico’s Secretary of the Environment, Alicia Bárcena, has highlighted the need to increase the budget allocated to environmental projects, such as river sanitation and ecosystem restoration. Securing additional resources is crucial to expanding and maintaining current initiatives.

2. Policy Changes in the U.S.: With President Donald Trump taking office in January 2025, there is a possibility that previously implemented environmental regulations may be reversed, potentially affecting progress in emissions reduction. However, some producers are expected to maintain sustainable practices due to international pressures and corporate environmental goals.

3. Binational Coordination: Collaboration between Mexico and the United States is essential to address shared environmental challenges, especially in border areas. Programs like "Border 2025" aim to strengthen cooperation in areas such as air quality and waste management, but they require continuous commitment and adequate resources for success.

Proposed Solutions

To overcome these challenges, the following actions are proposed:

• Increase Investment in Environmental Projects: Allocate a percentage of the national budget to reforestation initiatives and clean transportation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has proposed redirecting 1% of global military spending toward a global reforestation program, inspired by the success of "Sembrando Vida."

• Strengthen Environmental Regulations: Maintain and, if possible, expand regulations that require industries to reduce their emissions, regardless of administrative changes. This will ensure the long-term continuity of environmental policies.

• Promote Technological Innovation: Invest in research and development of clean technologies that make industrial and transportation processes more efficient, thereby reducing the carbon footprint.

• Raise Awareness and Environmental Education: Implement educational campaigns that sensitize the population about the importance of adopting sustainable practices in daily life.

The fight against climate change requires concerted and sustained efforts. Mexico and the United States have demonstrated significant progress in reducing the carbon footprint through reforestation and the promotion of clean transportation. However, to consolidate these achievements in 2025 and beyond, it is crucial to secure adequate funding, maintain strict environmental regulations, and strengthen binational cooperation.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has emphasized the need to redirect resources toward environmental initiatives, proposing at the G-20 to allocate 1% of global military spending to reforestation programs. This proposal seeks to replicate the success of "Sembrando Vida" on a global scale, simultaneously combating poverty and climate change.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has expressed his intention to review and possibly reverse some environmental regulations implemented in previous administrations. While this could represent a setback in certain policies, international pressure and corporate commitments may help keep some emissions reduction initiatives on track.

Ultimately, the collaboration between both countries and a continuous commitment to robust environmental policies will be key in tackling climate challenges and building a more sustainable future for the region.

Written by: Editorial