Tag Archives: Sustainability

Mexico pouring on the green energy initiatives

Plugged in
Plugged in

On the heels of its recently concluded year-long presidency of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP16), Mexico is soldiering on with its sustainability policy blitz.  In late November, the Federal Regulatory Improvement Commission (Cofemer) issued its approval of proposed new regulations under which independent entities generating power from renewable sources may connect to the national electricity grid.  Last year, we reported with great satisfaction that the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) had created a contract that allowed independent producers of energy for their own consumption to connect to the grid via a net metering system.    The new regulatory document, under the nimble title “General Rules of Interconnection to the National Electric System for Generators or Permit-holders with Renewable Energy Sources or Efficient Cogeneration,” is intended to streamline the process and lower the overall cost of grid integration for independent producers.  The administrative, legal and technical requirements, formerly distributed among various prior documents published by different agencies, will now be incorporated into the single regulatory document.  The Energy Ministry (Sener) may now publish the new regulations in the Official Gazette, with the hope that facilitating the process will hasten the contribution of new and more environmentally friendly generating plants to the country’s energy supply.  If you feel you must, you can read the Cofemer’s final opinion on the new regulations here (oh go on, we did). Continue reading Mexico pouring on the green energy initiatives

Mexico hosts Green Solutions international sustainability conference

carbon creditAs Mexico’s year-long presidency of the 16th edition of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP16) drew to a close, ProMéxico hosted the Green Solutions conference and exposition November 23 – 25, 2011 in Mexico City.   The event consisted principally of three days of panel discussions on public policy related to climate change, amidst an exposition area featuring innovative products and services aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and overall depletion the world’s natural resources.   The first edition of the Green Solutions conference took place during the COP16 international conference held in Cancun one year ago.

The conference provided an excellent opportunity for those involved or interested in climate change mitigation to exchange perspectives on the outlook for greenhouse gas reduction and learn about projects and initiatives taking place in various parts of the world.  With the COP17 conference kicking off in Durban, South Africa today, at the forefront of discussion is the question of what will happen once the Kyoto Protocol expires at the end of 2012.  The agreement currently establishes ostensibly binding greenhouse gas reduction targets for participating developed nations, and key signatories such as Japan, Russia and Canada are showing little enthusiasm for re-upping once the current period concludes.   Continue reading Mexico hosts Green Solutions international sustainability conference

Construction industry looks to boost growth in second half

Let's get busy
Let's get busy

Mexico’s construction industry is currently in a growth period, but the past three years have been difficult for the sector.  By August of 2010 the industry had posted 24 straight months of contraction.  As the U.S. economy rebounded in 2010 and investment plans in Mexico were gradually reactivated, construction returned to growth in August 2010 and registered robust expansion through December, balancing out at en even 0.0% growth for the year.  After a strong January, the rate of growth has slipped through the first half, most recently posting a tepid but nonetheless somewhat improved 2.4% annual rate in May.  The National Statistics Institute (INEGI), however, reported overall growth of 4.6% in June 2011 with respect to the previous year, resulting in increased demand for inputs such as electrical materials, paints and coatings, cement, metallic structures, sand and gravel, asphalt, concrete and other steel and iron materials. Continue reading Construction industry looks to boost growth in second half