Oaxaca’s Metropolitan Climate Action Plan: A Model for Tackling Climate Change in Cities

Oaxaca, known for its vibrant culture and as a prime tourist destination, faces significant climate challenges. To address these, the Metropolitan Area of Oaxaca has taken an important step by launching its Metropolitan Climate Action Plan. This extraordinary milestone brings together 26 municipalities in a unified effort to combat climate change, setting a precedent not just for Mexico, but for the world.

The effort to implement the plan is especially crucial, as the region—covering 692 km²—faces severe climate risks, including droughts, floods, landslides, and forest fires. Between 2000 and 2023, the Metropolitan Area of Oaxaca experienced 121 disaster declarations and 118 emergencies, with a considerable economic impact. In 2022, tropical cyclones and heavy rains caused losses amounting to USD 360 million, highlighting the urgency for effective actions to mitigate these risks.

Why Cities Are Key to Addressing Climate Challenges?

Cities only cover 2 percent of the world’s surface, yet they consume 78 percent of the world’s energy, produce more than 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and concentrate global climate risks. In Latin America and the Caribbean, as much as 80 percent of losses caused by disasters occur in urban areas, where most of the region’s population lives. Their lifestyle and consumption habits largely shape the region’s energy demand and GHG emissions.

Cities are central to the climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in the region. The Oaxaca Metropolitan Climate Action Plan, approved in June 2024, is an example of this approach, representing a collaborative effort to address climate impacts on Oaxaca’s population, infrastructure, ecosystems, and production systems.

Emissions and Main Actions

The Metropolitan Climate Action Plan’s goals are twofold: increasing climate resilience and achieving low-carbon development. An inventory of greenhouse gas emissions revealed that the transport, solid waste, and stationary energy sectors account for 97 percent of total emissions. By 2030, Oaxaca aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 36 percent, reaching 84 percent by 2050. Adaptation efforts focus on achieving zero net deforestation, rehabilitating degraded lands, integrated water resources management, and resilient infrastructure investments.

 The Metropolitan Climate Action Plan aims to transform Oaxaca into a resilient, sustainable, and carbon-neutral metropolis by 2050, addressing critical challenges that require coordinated efforts across municipal boundaries. The plan includes:

1. Sustainable Mobility: Prioritizing public transportation and non-motorized travel.

2. Efficient Energy Use: Promoting renewable energy and efficient practices.

3. Advanced Waste Management: Improving solid waste separation, recycling, and composting.

4. Sustainable Land Use: Promoting climate-smart agriculture and productive practices.

Monitoring and Governance

The Metropolitan Climate Action Plan includes robust Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems for its initiatives. In November 2023, Oaxaca established the Metropolitan Climate Change Committee to oversee implementation, reinforcing the commitment of the 26 municipalities to tackle climate challenges collectively.

A Model for Global Climate Action

The Metropolitan Climate Action Plan sets a new standard for urban climate action, demonstrating the power of collaboration and strategic planning. By uniting efforts across municipalities, Oaxaca is safeguarding its future and providing a model for other metropolitan regions facing similar challenges. As the world confronts climate change, Oaxaca’s bold steps offer hope and inspiration.

This initiative is part of the World Bank ongoing support to cities across the Latin America and Caribbean region to outline their climate action goals and initiatives through the development of City Climate Action Plans. The Climate Investment Fund financed this technical assistance to Oaxaca. In addition to the Metropolitan Area of Oaxaca, the World Bank has supported Tulum and San Cristobal de las Casas (Mexico), Santa Cruz de la Sierra and La Paz (Bolivia), Chiclayo (Peru), the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (Argentina) and Porto Alegre (Brazil) to advance their climate action planning frameworks.

source: blogs.worldbank.org