UN Division for Sustainable Development

Case Study Detail Record

Organization type:	Government

Name of Ministry/Agency:

Country:	Mexico

Name of Focal Point:	http://www.semarnat.gob.mx

Initiative Title:	Air quality improvement programmes (Programas para mejorar la calidad del aire)

Internet links:

Scope:

Status:	Ongoing

Timeframe:	Start: End:

Lead Institution:	SEMARNAT

Stakeholders/Partners:	Local NGOs Industry Local environmental authorities private transport

Relevent issues:	- Policies and programmes to address air pollution from other major point sources

Objectives/Challenges:

1) To introduce low sulfur fuels for cleaner transportation;
2) To introduce massive public transportation systems (urban and inter-urban);
3) To reduce emissions from power plants and refinery industry; and
4) To integrate urban planning, transport and environmental policies (Capacity 21 Principles)

Lessons Learned:

Policy integration
Need for science based decisions

Summary:

Air quality improvement programmes are the response to air quality deterioration in major metropolitan or industrial areas of Mexico. Typically, these areas have heavy industries, including power generation or oil refineries, together with old vehicle fleets, making necessary the introduction of integral programmes for pollution abatement and control.

The programmes addressed the following issues:
- Policy integration;
- Broad participation by different stakeholders;
- Reduction of air quality pollution concentrations;
- Phase out of leaded fuels;
- Reduction of sulfur in fuels;
- Introduction of stricter emission limits for industry and transport;
- Introduction of emergency plans in some critical areas;
- Reduction of air pollutants exposure;
- Methodologies can be transferred to other cities or developing countries, avoiding the learning curves that Mexico went through.

The programmes addressed the following issues:
- Policy integration
- Broad participation by different stakeholders
- Reduction of air quality pollution concentrations
- Phase out of leaded fuels
- Reduction of sulfur in fuels
- Introduction of stricter emission limits for industry and transport
- Introduction of emergency plans in some critical areas
- Reduction of air pollutants exposure
- Methodologies can be transferred to other cities or developing countries, avoiding the learning curves that Mexico went through