The Mexican government has submitted its national climate plan to the UN, promising a 22% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Following the European Union, Norway and Switzerland, Mexico became one of the first countries – and the first developing country – to submit its so-called Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the United Nations ahead of the Paris climate talks in December. In fact, the UN has asked member states that are “ready to do so” to present their plans with the aim to compare and reinforce them before the summit. The national climate plan has been presented in Mexico City by the country’s foreign and environment ministries, and foresees emissions peaking in 2026, leading to a greenhouse gas emissions 22% decrease below business-as-usual levels by 2030 and to a 40% reduction in emissions intensity per unit of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between 2013 and 2030. According to the submission, Mexico will also cut emissions of “short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP)”, such as methane and soot, by 25% below business-as-usual levels by 2030. Despite being a developing country, Mexico has set its plan unconditionally, without demanding any kind of financial support; however, it said it could raise its 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goal from 22% to 36% and its SLCP goal from 25% to 40% if there were a global carbon price or if it was supported by climate funds or gained access to technology. The plan’s unveiling has been followed by the announcement of a new joint climate policy task force by the Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and the US President Barack Obama; this task force will help to “further deepen policy and regulatory coordination in specific areas”, such a vehicle fuel efficiency and electricity grid modernisation. The United States also applauded Mexico for being the first major emerging economy to submit its contribution, and believe that this will set an example for the rest of the world. The gLAWcal Team POREEN project Monday, 30 March 2015 (Source: Guardian)