Long-Term Decarbonization Pathways

Querétaro, Mexico Approves Climate Change Plan

On March 25, the State of Querétaro, Mexico, approved its 2021-2050 State Climate Change Plan (Programa Estatal de Acción ante el Cambio Climático de Querétaro - PEACC) including priority actions that support its Decarbonization Pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Targets include a 65 percent GHG reduction below 2015 levels. Design of the Decarbonization Pathway process, its development, and analysis of GHG and economic impacts were led by the Center for Climate Strategies (CCS), Winrock International and The Climate Group as part of the Under 2 Coalition Climate Pathway Project funded by NCIFI (Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative).

The Querétaro Decarbonization Pathway has identified an initial portfolio of short- and long-term climate stabilization actions for all key economic sectors through collaboration with the Secretary of Sustainable Development (SEDESU), other governmental agencies, and private sector stakeholders. The Climate Pathway Project supported the State of Querétaro in the identification and assessment of concrete actions. These provide a path forward towards ambitious and transformational GHG emission reduction goals, creating avenues for local community development, sustainable economic recovery, and social equity through improvements and modernization in the use of energy and natural resources. 

Decarbonization progress (emission reductions) expected through the implementation of the Pathway priority actions: emission reductions for each action are shown against business-as-usual forecasted emissions (red dotted line) and state emission reduction goals (green dotted line). Units are teragrams (million metric tons) of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (TgCO₂e).

The Climate Pathway Project began in 2019 with states in Mexico, Peru, and Brazil to foster public and private cooperation and structure mid-century decarbonization plans and templates for low carbon activities in agriculture, forestry, and other land uses, as well as energy, transportation, and infrastructure. Long-term decarbonization pathway actions are critical to stabilization of Earth’s climate through the avoidance of GHG emissions growth and the increasing risk of loss and damages associated with climate change.

In converstion with Ricado Torres Henández, Querétaro, Mexico

Government of the State of Queretaro Press Release
Queretaro Case Study under the Climate Pathway Project