International Chamber of Commerce urges Mexico to act on environmental challenges for a competitive economy

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Mexico has called on the country to bolster the implementation of its public policies to confront pressing environmental challenges. The organization warned that failing to act could lead to further degradation of natural resources, citing the significant issue of forest cover loss.

The ICC highlighted a widening gap between Mexico's climate change commitments and the pace at which solutions are being deployed. This inaction is particularly concerning given Mexico's status as the second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide in Latin America, with emissions reaching 476 million tons in 2024, according to World Bank data. The organization also pointed to considerable water stress, noting that 144 out of 653 national aquifers are overexploited.

Furthermore, the ICC reported annual forest losses amounting to 203,552 hectares, an area exceeding the territorial extent of Mexico City. In response to these critical issues, the ICC urged Mexico to expedite an agenda focused on strengthening environmental resilience and sustainable competitiveness. Key recommendations include promoting decarbonization in the productive sectors through clean energy, enhancing water security, combating illegal logging, and increasing funding for climate adaptation projects.

The ICC's president emphasized that the scale of environmental challenges necessitates faster implementation of solutions to protect natural resources and bolster national environmental resilience. The organization advocates for building a more competitive and resilient economy within the current climate context. Given Mexico's size and population, it generates substantial daily waste, approximately 140,000 tons, making it a pivotal nation in the global fight against climate change, according to non-governmental organizations.

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The magnitude of the environmental challenges demands accelerating the implementation of solutions that allow us to respond to the pressure facing natural resources and strengthen the country's environmental resilience.